216. From Banker to Best-Selling Author & Global Keynote Speaker - Here’s How (Simon Alexander Ong)

Most of us introduce ourselves with a title: “I’m a coach,” “I’m a banker,” “I’m a podcaster.” The problem with this is that the moment you do that, you’ve put yourself in the same box as everyone else with that title. Our guest today, Simon Alexander Ong - bestselling author of Energize, international keynote speaker, and award-winning coach - knows this firsthand. For years, he chased job titles he thought would define his success, until he realised that real success and true differentiation come from embracing your whole self. This includes your story, your skills, and your creativity. In this episode, we explore how breaking free from labels and showing people what makes you unlike anyone else can transform you from just another professional… Into a brand.     In this episode, we cover:    (00:00) Introduction (01:26) Being boxed in by titles  (03:35) Becoming a brand  (06:14) Simon’s objections  (08:52) A partner who supports your goals  (15:44) The pressure of having it together (18:05) A compelling vision (19:49) Learning vs being an expert (23:05) Creativity as a differentiator  (25:18) What Simon is working on (26:41) Transferable skills  (27:40) Does your family get what you do?  (31:14) Should I quit my job?  (35:00) How to do it all  (40:25) 3 Tips for entrepreneurs & creators  (46:01) Actionable takeaways  Connect with Simon Alexander Ong   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@simonalexandero  Website: https://simonalexanderong.com Book: https://simonalexanderong.com/book  Newsletter: https://simonalexanderong.com/shots-of-energy  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonalexandero LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonalexanderong  Connect with Cheryl Lau   Website: https://cheryllau.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheryltheory  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheryltheory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllau ANNOTATIONS - The Newsletter    The edits that got cut from the podcast. Every interview on EDIT HISTORY runs about 60 minutes. But less than 40 minutes makes it into the final cut. This newsletter is where the rest live. ANNOTATIONS is where I share the 33% I left behind — and the insights that came after we stopped recording. Subscribe at: https://cheryllau.com/email  Contact Please email hello@cheryllau.com for business inquiries.