Personal Branding Sutra - 5

A modern interpretation of the Yoga Sutras for crafting your unique identity.

Sutra 6: Pramana Viparyaya Vikalpa Nidra Smritayah

Sanskrit Sutra:  

प्रमाण विपर्यय विकल्म निद्रास्मृतयः॥  

(Pramana Viparyaya Vikalpa Nidra Smritayah)

Transliteration:  

Pramana viparyaya vikalpa nidra smritayah

Poetic Essence:  

The mind spins stories, both true and false,  

Missteps in knowledge can lead to a fall.  

Dreams and memories cloud the way,  

But clarity emerges when doubt fades away.

Personal Branding Essence (Poem):  

What’s real, what’s fake? The line’s sometimes thin,  

False beliefs won’t make your brand win.  

Rest your mind, let your story align,  

Craft your brand with clarity, let your truth shine.

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 Commentary:

This sutra highlights how our mind can distort the truth, creating confusion about who we truly are. Pramana refers to accurate knowledge, the foundation of your true identity. In branding, this translates to a clear, honest presentation of yourself. The other concepts—Viparyaya (misconceptions), Vikalpa (imagination), Nidra (sleep or ignorance), and Smritayah (memory)—show how easily we can misrepresent ourselves or fall into unconscious patterns that mislead us from our authentic selves.

To create an authentic personal brand, you must ground it in true knowledge (Pramana), avoid distorting or exaggerating your achievements (Viparyaya and Vikalpa), and stay conscious and awake (Nidra and Smritayah). Misleading ideas and outdated narratives don’t help build a lasting brand. Your story must evolve based on who you really are today—not who you once were or who you wish to be.

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 Examples in Personal Branding:

 Resume:

- Pramana (Correct Knowledge): A resume should reflect your actual achievements, not fabricated claims.  

  Example: "Led a team of 5 to increase customer retention by 30%, resulting in a $500,000 increase in annual revenue."  

  Why it works: It’s specific, measurable, and reflects your real contributions.

- Viparyaya (Misconception): Misrepresenting your role or responsibilities will harm your personal brand.  

  Example of what to avoid: “I was responsible for revamping the entire corporate strategy” when your role was actually part of a team effort.  

  Why it’s misleading: Overstating your role leads to a false narrative, which could come back to haunt you.  

  Better Example: "Contributed to the strategy for department X, improving performance by 15%."  

  Why it works: It’s honest, highlights your involvement, and focuses on your actual contributions.

- Vikalpa (Imagination): Avoid creating an inflated version of your role. Stick to what you’ve actually done.  

  Example of what to avoid: “I was the global head of innovation” when you worked in a specific region.  

  Why it’s misleading: This exaggeration presents a false image of your scope of influence.  

  Better Example: "Led product innovation in the EMEA region, increasing market share by 10%."  

  Why it works: It’s grounded in truth, specific, and reflects your actual role.

- Nidra (Sleep): Your resume shouldn’t remain stagnant. Keep it updated to reflect your current self.  

  Example of what to avoid: Listing a summer job from college that is no longer relevant to your professional career.  

  Why it’s outdated: It doesn’t help shape your current professional image.  

  Better Example: “In my current role, I increased revenue by 25% in 6 months.”  

  Why it works: It’s up-to-date and demonstrates your current impact.

- Smritayah (Memory): Don’t rely on outdated accomplishments or past achievements that no longer align with your personal brand.  

  Example of what to avoid: "In my first job, I was praised for my excellent typing speed."  

  Why it’s irrelevant: It doesn’t align with the skills required for most modern roles.  

  Better Example: "In my first role, I contributed to optimizing workflow, reducing project delivery time by 15%."  

  Why it works: It’s more aligned with modern business needs and shows value.

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 LinkedIn Profile:

- Pramana (Correct Knowledge): Your LinkedIn profile should reflect who you truly are and your actual experiences.  

  Example: In the summary section, clearly state your professional role and your key achievements without embellishment.  

  Why it works: It’s a direct reflection of your true expertise and strengths.

- Viparyaya (Misconception): Avoid presenting a misleading or inflated view of your role or impact.  

  Example of what to avoid: "I led the entire company’s marketing strategy" if your involvement was only in one department.  

  Why it’s misleading: It makes your role seem more significant than it was, leading to a misaligned brand.  

  Better Example: "Led the digital marketing strategy for the North American division, achieving a 20% growth in customer acquisition."  

  Why it works: It’s specific and truthful, showing real impact without exaggeration.

- Vikalpa (Imagination): Don’t create an idealized version of yourself. Stay grounded in your true professional identity.  

  Example of what to avoid: “I am a thought leader in innovation” when you haven’t contributed to any public discussions or publications.  

  Why it’s misleading: It presents an image that doesn’t match your experience.  

  Better Example: "I have contributed to industry blogs on digital transformation and participated in key panel discussions at tech conferences."  

  Why it works: It’s grounded in actual experience, showcasing your influence in a tangible way.

- Nidra (Sleep): Your profile shouldn’t be static. Regularly update it to reflect your evolving expertise and achievements.  

  Example of what to avoid: Keeping outdated job descriptions or outdated skills in your profile.  

  Why it’s outdated: It fails to accurately represent where you are professionally right now.  

  Better Example: "Currently leading a cross-functional team to launch an AI-powered product in the market."  

  Why it works: It’s up-to-date, relevant, and demonstrates your current work.

- Smritayah (Memory): Don’t focus too much on past roles that no longer serve your current brand.  

  Example of what to avoid: Listing an old role from 10 years ago if it no longer aligns with your current career direction.  

  Why it’s irrelevant: It doesn’t reflect your current strengths or focus.  

  Better Example: Focus on more recent roles that align with your present career goals.  

  Why it works: It shows where you are now and where you are heading, aligning with your current brand.

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