Josh Hanagarne is The World’s Strongest Librarian. That’s his brand and his story. He’s also an author, librarian, speaker, blogger, dad, husband, and weight lifter. One other thing about Josh: he’s just a down-to-earth, nice guy who returns emails and comments back on his blog and LinkedIn. Yes, he really does. And, he just happens to have Tourette’s Syndrome. Josh has Tourette’s but it doesn’t have him
His Tourette’s is severe–far more severe than mine. However Josh’s positive attitude and honesty is just as severe, which balances the story well. His new book, entitled, The World’s Strongest Librarian: A Memoir of Tourette’s, Faith, Strength, and the Power of Family, will release May 2, 2013.
Below is the new trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnlYOa1_f4M
Those of us with Tourette’s, no matter what level of severity, still “understand each other.” We know the stares, the laughs, the other stares of puzzlement, the little kids in restaurants trying to imitate our tics, and the constant and brief public explanations we are faced with while just living life, not to mention the Hollywood stereo types we often face having Tourette’s. We could tell you endless stories of how the tics of our target market brand called Tourette’s both drives and challenges our lives.
Josh took the brand called him and turned Tourette’s into a benefit. His blunt honesty is a testament to all personal brands. In spite of the obstacles he turned them into opportunities. He applied what he could not control into something he could control: his skill sets. His writing is fantastic, funny, and intelligent. In fact, his writing is often his tool of focus to temper his Tourette’s. He also has the courage to stand in front of large crowds and speak. I love to speak, too, and it’s one of my strongest skills. Before I start speaking in public I often tell my audiences that “I may jerk but I’m not a jerk.” They laugh, I laugh. It calms my nerves and off we go into the wild blue yonder of speaking.
So what about your brand? You may not have Tourette’s, but you have weaknesses that may hold you back. Don’t let that happen. Focus on your strengths and let weaknesses take care of themselves. It’s a far better personal brand building technique to refine your strengths. Let what you do best be the best in you. Then, give that to your clients, friends, strangers, and your customers.
Comments, tics, personal brands, and target markets are welcome. And don’t forget to visit Josh’s fantastic blog:
http://worldsstrongestlibrarian.com/
By Stuart Atkins
Leave a Reply