How do you distinguish yourself from competition in the minds of prospects? Get some ideas from this week’s Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People issue. Not unlike your business challenge, the editors needed to create catchy phrases and metaphors to capture the essence of each person on their list. What crisp, memorable description can you create to describe the essence of what you do or who you are?
Many of Time’s Icons, Leaders, Titans, Pioneers, and Artists are given mildly engaging descriptions, e.g., Singer Khalid (Unique Soul), Artist Luchita Hurtado (Painting a Legacy), Mahershalla Ali, Actor 
(Acting with Empathy)
But many are given more vivid, resonant, intriguing descriptions. See if you can match these members of the 100 with their metaphoric tags. (Answers found after my signature)
| 1. Sandra Oh, actress | A. Clairvoyant | |
| 2. Ezra Levin, Activist | B. Truth Seeker | |
| 3. NancyPelosi , Speaker | C. Free Spirit | |
| 4. Lebron James, Basketball | D. Wavemaker | |
| 5. Spike Lee, Director | E. Role Model | |
| 6. Lady Gaga | F. The Virtuoso | |
| 7. Gayle King,Journalist | G. Political Powerhouse |
And You Are…?
How vivid is the description you use to describe who you are or what you do? Here is a 7 Step process to help you arrive at your unique personal or service description:
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Write out literally what you do
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List what others have said about you, your work/product/service , strengths, & value.
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Note down how you are different from competitors
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Look for other world parallels with common characteristics or traits to your answers in 1-4
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Select the one that is most appealing and appropriate
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Test it on friends and clients
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Use it!
Finally, pick up a copy of the April 29th Time’s 100 Most Influential People. In addition to discovering some influential and important players in our world today who you may not know, you may find inspiration for your own description to make you more influential in your field of endeavor as well.
Anne Miller
Words Matter – Make What You Say Pay!
Answers: 1F, 2D, 3G, 4E, 5A, 6C, 7B
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