Passionate Theme of the Day: Identity

“It’s this simple: You are a brand. You are in charge of your brand. There is no single path to success. And there is no one right way to create the brand called You. Except this: Start today. Or else.” Tom Peters

Last week I threw open the doors of conversation and shined the spotlight on personal branding with this post. I left you with this challenge:

“Choose 3-4 words that describe how you’d like people to perceive you upon their first 5 minutes of meeting you. Jot those down and keep them handy for next time… I am Truth. Beauty. Love. Spirit.”

I’d like to clarify something. The words I’m talking about here should solidify your personal foundation with which to grow and evolve yourself as a brand. I’m not only talking about your business brand or your business self. I’m talking about the WHOLE of YOU.

Truth. Beauty. Love. Spirit, are actually my four core values (which could shift and change as I evolve). Before I got clear about my values, I didn’t have a secure foundation with which to launch into bigger and better things.

When discussing values, we often hear things like, “I value time with my family. I value working in the community. I value education”. Those are all lofty and great things, but those aren’t values. A value is a guidepost.

Values help you navigate your way thru this often dizzy world. As you step even more into living as the authentic you, as BRAND YOU, your values become evident to others. It becomes your modus operandi.

I’ve describe my values before as four corners of a picture frame. While I was excavating the real me (and began peeling back the Little Ms. Perfect persona), I used those words to frame situations (relationships, business opportunities, friendships, behaviors) to help me decide what was working and what wasn’t.

For example, I was recently involved in a relationship that wasn’t in line with my values. (No worries, I’m not bashing here or pointing the finger…it takes two to tango). I literally started to feel physically ill and was in quite a funk. Finally I couldn’t take my own behavior in this scenario any longer. My vision got cloudy. So I placed my picture frame around it and asked the following:

Q: Am I currently speaking and seeking TRUTH in this relationship?
A: NO
Q: Is this relationship creating BEAUTY in my life?
A: NO
Q: Is this relationship spreading unconditional LOVE to both parties?
A: NO
Q: IS this relationship nurturing my SPIRIT and the SPIRIT of the other person?
A: BIG ol’ FAT NO!

Once I placed my values around the scenario, I opened my eyes to the answer that my higher self already knew. It was time to end it. No big drama. No major battles. It simply wasn’t in alignment with who I AM. The BRAND that is Kammie, is ALL about speaking and seeking TRUTH. Creating BEAUTY. Spreading LOVE. And nurturing my SPIRIT and the spirit of others. Do you have a scenario that framing with your core values could make easier?

Once we get clear about who we are at our core, we become unstoppable. We become unshakable. I’m not saying I don’t still question things. Or have my doubts. I’m still human. But when I trust the process, when I allow my values to guide me, it’s more like smooth sailing vs. rough riding.

Adam commented on the last post:
“The edge I’m at with branding (or whatever) is synergy — having all the parts of my business, from vision to design to actions to writing style to the way I comment on my own blog, merging and being truly representative of my brand.”

He also said his four words would be: loving, enriching/witty, transformation, & positive. Love, transformation & positivity are probably core values of Adam’s. Having met him at SOB Con (aka – Love fest ‘07), I can vouch that those qualities come shining through.

Since Adam is in the service industry, and a direct reflection of his business, his comment on the synergy of business designs and actions being a reflection of that is even more important. In his line of business, much like mine, we must walk our talk. Adam has to BE Monk at Work. I have to BE Passion Meets Purpose. (Christine called me out on a little in-congruency I displayed while playing small at SOB Con and I thank her for the reminder!)

Regardless of your work or line of business, YOU can still be a model of your core values. It will permeate your business, your relationships, your friendships, and family relationships. You will start lining up with the energy vibration that is a match for your inner self.

Decisions become less of a struggle. There’s a lot less pushing and a lot more attracting. Negative relationships will fade out, bad business partnerships will be broken and toxic family scenarios will be dealt with. Because if you ARE a walking billboard for your core values, the rest won’t fit anymore.

Often people want to know how to “get happy” or “live the life of my dreams” or “find my juice for life”. But they’ve lost track or never knew what their core values were underneath all the drama, gossip, depression, and negative self-talk.

Once you discover what words really light you up, which words represent the BRAND that is YOU, it becomes simple to plug your whole life into that picture frame and re-evaluate.

Imagine wearing a super-hero suit under your regular clothes. Think Superman. If you were called to help, made a mad dash into a telephone booth to change, what would your superhero suit say? That’s who you are. Superman wore a big ol’ S…we’d KNOW he’s super! Who are you underneath your plainclothes?

We’re all superheroes in the making. It’s up to you to decide which kind of power you want to work more magically around this dizzy planet.  What words ring true for you? At your core. Where the heart is. Where your magic-mojo lives. Dig deep and be clear.

Here’s a few links to inspire your list and spark your imagination:
~Thomas Leonard’s (the Godfather of coaching) distinctionary.
~Short and painless assessment I found online.
~Check out #4
~Talk about a company that knows who they are!

That’s enough to get your wheels spinning. I’d love to hear your core values. Feel free to drop some comments and share with others…and stay tuned for more personal branding insights.

Your Super Truth-Beauty-Love-Spirited Heroine,
Kam