4 Lessons The Fastest Man Alive Usain Bolt Can Teach About Personal Branding

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Have you ever watched Usain's 200m race in 2008? Go watch it now. It's amazing: while everyone else is busy competing, Bolt is out front, completely dominating the competition.

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I'll be the first to admit, I want this level of success for myself. And to ensure success in a crowded market, you have to start thinking beyond the competition and into the realm of dominance. The best way to do this is to invest heavily in yourself and your business. If you don't become the go-to person in your industry, someone else will.

Usain Bolt is a prime example of someone who rocketed to the top of his field and developed a stellar personal brand in the process. Here are four key lessons about what we can learn from "lightning."

1. Maintain a clear brand message.

Usain Bolt is the fastest man alive, there's no doubt about it. (When you type "who's the fastest person?", guess who comes up?)

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Bolt holds the world record for the 100m and 200m, and was the first in the modern Olympic era to achieve the "double double" by winning the 100m and 200m titles in back-to-back matches (in 2008 and 2012). He then surpassed that thanks to the first "double triple" (including the 4 × 100 m relay).

Records speak for themselves, but Bolt doesn't let them. His brand message as "the fastest man alive" is all over his website and is the name of his 2010 memoir. Bolt then uses this credibility to partner with 9 other global partners looking to leverage brand recognition. The result is $30 million in sponsorships for Bolt and tons of help promoting his brand in the marketplace.

2. Keep things consistent.

If there's one thing you can say about Usain Bolt, it's that he delivers amazing results time and time again. Aside from a disqualification for a false start in 2011, Bolt has had an unprecedented string of first-place finishes since the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

When building a personal brand, consistency is key. If it takes five to seven impressions for someone to remember a brand, imagine what it takes for someone to consider you a celebrity in your space. A run, an article, a viral video or an incredible public relations stunt is not enough.

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Bolt makes this lesson clear in his own life. Along with his record running times and Olympic medals, several books, a number of popular social media channels, an animated movie, and even his own emoji. And that's just from a quick Google search. Say what you will about Bolt's endorsement deals, he does an amazing job of using his own channels to get his brand out to a wide audience.

3. Invest in yourself.

You don't reach Bolt's level of success without serious commitment. All those speed training drills, gym sessions, stretches and sprints require dedication and big sacrifices in other areas of one's life.

And despite what you hear about Bolt's love of fast food, the majority of his diet is incredibly clean and rationed. Bolt has a personal chef who makes sure he eats everything he's supposed to eat and hands out his vitamins and supplements so he can't forget them.

Related: It's Not You, It's Your Story: Why Branding Matters

Think of how many actions Bolt takes each day to make him a better sprinter.

And now, think about your career...