31: Sana A Ahmed - Unleashing Your Inner Monster

Sana A Ahmed is a personal brand experience consultant and thought creator. We unpack how to unleash your inner monster — showing up as a person who has the guts to consciously stand out amidst a noisy world. We also discuss the immense potential of becoming an online creator by focusing on your Personal Philosophy.  Ready to dive down the rabbit hole? Download the free Corporate Cage Freedom Guide. *** TIMESTAMPS [2:08] Why explore monsters? [5:56] Befriending your inner monster [7:30] Sana’s “creator” backstory [13:40] Personal Philosophy: definition & value [20:00] Leaders embody their philosophy [22:15] Applying the Niche of One (article) [26:15] Escape competition through authenticity [28:24] Countering “default path” thinking [32:00] Rapid-fire questions [37:00] Rituals for an energized day *** TAKEAWAYS 1. A monster is a person with the guts to show up and stand out, consciously; they reveal to others what is hidden in plain sight 2. When you befriend your monster, you’re unlocking connection through authenticity and relatability 3. Personal Philosophy: (1) means “love of knowing who you are” and (2) having it provides constraints for achieving higher levels of freedom 4. Strong self-knowledge makes life smoother and easier 5. “Niching down” your personal brand can leave you feeling confined over time; counter this through an always-evolving Niche of One approach 6. If you’re a creator, you don’t want to compete; instead, you need to collaborate 7. Best advice: follow (lead with) your heart 8. Over-focus on “reach” and metrics will trap you; you’ll lose energy to persevere 9. “Success” is necessarily a definition of your own making 10. Live at the intersection of your interests and you'll elevate your potency as a creator (bringing together different facets and creating value) *** RESOURCES Connect w/ Sana on LinkedIn Follow on Twitter @sanathemonster See Sana's personal site Connect w/ Matt on LinkedIn Follow on Twitter @MatthewRDoan Check the show on YouTube Subscribe to the Wednesday Wisdom newsletter