If humans had taglines, what would yours be?
Have you ever seen a particularly clever bumper sticker or company slogan and thought, “That’s so me”? Taglines, those pithy phrases that capture the essence of a brand, can be surprisingly revealing. But what if we were the brands?
So here is a thought experiment. If humans came with taglines, what would yours be? And what would it say about you?
Why Taglines?
Taglines are more than catchy marketing tools. They distill complex ideas into something short enough to remember, usually by pointing at a unique selling point or a core value. Nike’s “Just Do It” and Apple’s “Think Different” are the famous examples. A well-crafted tagline can evoke emotion, inspire action and even shape identity, all in fewer words than most people use to order coffee.
Now imagine summing up your personality, experiences or aspirations in a single phrase. What would your personal tagline reveal?
My Personal Tagline
After much introspection, and a good deal of procrastination, I have settled on mine:
“Perpetually curious, occasionally coherent.”
Why This Tagline?
It reflects a few key aspects of my personality:
- Curiosity: I am a lifelong learner, always after new knowledge and experiences. I love asking questions, exploring ideas and challenging assumptions.
- Introspection: I am a thinker, and I am often lost in my own thoughts and reflections. I enjoy analyzing situations, pondering life’s big questions and trying to make sense of the world around me. The world does not always cooperate.
- Humor: I believe laughter is the best medicine, and also a great coping mechanism. I enjoy a good laugh, I find humor in everyday situations, and I try not to take myself too seriously.
- Self-Awareness: The “occasionally coherent” part is a nod to my tendency to overthink things and get lost in my own head. It is a reminder to be kind to myself and to accept my quirks.
What’s Your Tagline?
Now it is your turn. Take some time to reflect on your values, passions, quirks and experiences. What phrase best captures who you are?
Here are a few questions to get you started:
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- What are your passions and interests?
- What are your core values?
- What makes you unique?
- What do you want to be remembered for?
Own Your Tagline
Your tagline is more than a fun exercise. It reflects how well you know yourself, and it celebrates your individuality. So own it. Share it with the world. Brands print theirs on everything, and they are far less interesting than you are.
Let’s Connect
I would love to hear your taglines. Share them in the comments below or on social media, and we can start a small community of tagline-touting humans.
Remember: There is no right or wrong answer. The most important thing is to have fun with it. And if yours turns out to be only occasionally coherent, you will be in good company.