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Brand Essence (and what seven takes on a video has to do with it)

This weekend I did seven takes (maybe more) on my work video (to the right). The numerous takes weren’t because it was Sunday morning after a fun Saturday night. I had my game face on. And it wasn’t because there was perfectionism at-play and I know this for two reasons:

First off, one entire chapter of the book I’m writing (Walking Momtra) is all about debunking the perfection myth. And yes, you guessed it; I work hard at practicing what I preach. Secondly, if I thought perfection existed (or was “about” it), the FINAL video I chose would not have included the flubs and repetitions it does. In fact, the video I chose was, intellectually, the most imperfect.

I chose it for one main reason: it held more of the essence of my brand. It may not seem like a video that’s going to change the world (;-) but I know it had that je ne sais quoi clients have come to expect from Michelle Ghilotti Int’l.

And this is what branding is: a collection of thoughts and feelings your target has around their experiences with you/your brand. It’s these intangible elements that keep them coming back when they need someone in your field. When someone has this level of involvement with your company, this level of piqued interest, chances are you have a client for life (and an advocate!).

Take a second right now to think about what type of experience your clients or potential clients have when they come to your various outlets? How much of that feeling/tone/vibe would you keep the same and what areas would you change? How could your communication and identity better match the expertise and love you have for what you do?

And remember “branding” and putting our proverbial best foot forward with our identity is not about perfection. It’s about your honest and unique brand essence. Flubs, repetitions allowed. The next time you create a newsletter, revise your website content or create a video (and are three takes in;-) remember that.

Life is good.

Connect with Michelle on Facebook and Twitter.

Can you get outside what you know?

Then I went outside everything I knew…

I have grown immensely in taking MGI “on the road” the last ten years.

If it’s true the first seven years are the formative years in a child’s life then MGI is an adolescent not afraid to take risks. Or better said, MGI is a business traveler seeing the power, growth and possibility in the un-expected. You grow and shed layers when you allow yourself to get lost. When you have to work to find your Dutch bike after registering your business yet again…

Living in three different countries and various US cities this decade has not only shown me how various collectives design their lives, businesses and joys (ask me about the balloon arch in Holland) but how we, yes you and me, can work to design our lives so they enable us to accomplish that which is burning inside us.

Life is good.

Expat Living & Creativity, The Economist

Starting with the end in mind…

You hear a lot about beginning with the end in mind. It’s one of the habits of a highly-effective person if I remember correctly…

Kenya, elephant bum

And it’s true. In life or business, if we work backwards from the legacy we want to leave behind, we can move ~ forward ~ quicker.

Think of your goal; your end.

What are the to-dos, obstacles and support you need. And, in micro-movements starting today, go out and get them or get through them.

Whatever it is that you want in life or business or entrepreneurship, you can have. Life is good.