I recently returned from a four-week trip to New York. The reason for the trip was to ‘reflect, regroup, and reboot’ my personal brand. Without going into detail, I have had a ‘stressful’ few years and also recently completed my Masters (Research). So I set off to New York (via Shanghai) to find out “What’s Next for Brand Christine Moody?”.

Normally before I leave, I have locked in dates and times for back-to-back meetings, brunches, and dinners and cram as much in as I can into every hour. It’s NYC right…that’s how you do it? This time I did things differently. I simply made contact with everyone before I left and after a few days after arrival I made contact.

Not only did I want time to ‘reflect and regroup’, I also wanted time to just to start each day with a blank schedule and make it up as the day goes on. This allowed me to take up opportunities as they came along—something a full schedule does not allow. The result of this approach were numerous—from meeting author Dorie Clark (Reinventing You and Stand Out) to having time to rediscover my love of drawing.

I have returned to Brisbane, purchased a new Moleskine notebook, and opened on a blank page to build on my personal brand story. Brand Christine Moody is a work in progress—and always will be—but a brand that has gained so much from its ‘reflect, regroup, and reboot’ time in New York.

*Christine Moody is one of Australia’s leading brand strategists and the founder brand management consultancy, Brand Audits. With more than 30 years’ professional experience, Christine has helped a diverse client base of local and international brands, including Gold Coast City Council, Hilton Hotels, and Wrigleys USA, to develop, protect and achieve brand differentiation.