Alignment in branding and business (and a bit of travel twalk)…

As I create my first-ever branding course inspired and created here in Holland, I have had authenticity (and charisma ~ one word in the title of my program) on the brain. Wouldn’t you agree it’s the only sustainable thing? But as I’ve mentioned maybe a couple times before, it’s also the greatest paradox. It’s the easiest thing to be ourselves and then it’s the hardest. There’s a boat loud of reward that comes with aligning who we are with how our businesses talk, walk and shine

As I create modules and get support in the birthing of this new biz baby, I am reminded of some things I always think about when I travel…

1. How similar we all really are. We’re all in search of our identity…of what makes us really tick.

2. Though anonymity in travel has its benefits…playing small and being invisible isn’t always comfortable, at least not for long. We’re meant to connect with others…with our ideal clients and we’re meant to do work that helps us feel alive.

and 3. Though there are a tremendous number of languages in the world, only one…that of connection, sharing and a level of transparency is what moves us to trust another and create meaningful relationships.

As I leave Holland in the morning after seven weeks, I feel alive, re-energized and that next page of myself…travel really does help you come back to that. And from here…well, this is probably the greatest space to be birthing from.

Enjoy your business, enjoy your life. Talk to you when I land in LA!

Croatia consciousness list.

As I thought about what was really calling to me a few days ago…two things came to mind I though I might include in this week’s post:

2. A closed sign (as in, I’m still on a working holiday and will be back next week!)

1. Consciousness…how conscious are we really?

I was asking myself this last question a lot during the holiday and I came to this conclusion. We’re as conscious as:

• Our last full, conscious breath.

• Our last most positive thought…about ourselves.

• The last time we asked ourselves “how did I contribute to this situation?”

• The last time we reflected, if even a couple minutes, on how something went or could have gone better (if meditating is out of your “I want to do” list, no problem…reflecting is a beautiful thing and the beginning of a rich meditation).

• The last time we consciously stopped talking so the other person (adult, child, client or family member) could have more time…

• The last time we consciously told ourselves our story/advice/time mattered and that taking up space is great and our voice ~ even better.

In watching tourists all over Croatia, these nuggets became reminders…I noticed how unconsciously we sometimes walk the world (and take others with us). And this is in all forms…business, vacation, just generally in life, our neighborhood etc.

I remember in yoga the first time my teacher/guru told us that it wasn’t a crime to bump into each other…that we didn’t have to say “sorry” (are we we really sorrow-filled?) every time we bumped into each other doing yoga. And she was right. However, I also believe there’s an acknowledgment of sorts that needs to happen with those around us…a hello, a recognition (“knowing smile” I think was made for this), a stop to talk for a couple minutes to show we’re connected.

THIS is my favorite part of travel…the connectedness and the learning from others, even if it’s just for those two minutes and “goodbye, have a nice life…I may never see you again.” The best travel, business and/or life are made up of these these moments and memories. I like to build them up…you?

Warning: Step away from the computer. You’ll make more ;)

It’s really not about who works the longest but who works the smartest.

We’ve all heard this, right?

And it’s true.

But “smarts” doesn’t always have to do with intellectual power but with the wisdom to know when it’s time to put everything down and take time for self-care; to let the creative (and connected) juices flow…

This is when we gain clarity on WHY we do what we do…and when we start to write more connected blog posts, social media posts and have more connected conversations with prospective clients.

We become more calm vs frantic.

So…

1. Walk away.

2. Do something you love.

3. When you’re done with that…take time to free-write “My purpose with this business is…..” Let yourself write until you can’t anymore. You might stop after 10 minutes, you might stop after 25. It’s all good…

4. Use what you come up with to guide your communication and your sharing.

5. Your ideal clients thank you. You’ve now made it easier for them to find you…

Branding your life (a tip off the old block).

Welcome, my ladies, to the greatest paradox in business or life…being ourselves.
It’s the easiest yet it’s also the hardest thing to do…

Branding our lives means doing what makes us most content consistently, regardless if others enjoy what we’re doing nearly as much as we do…

Amsterdam, new business shoot. Mango sorbet cone on right.

As always, enjoy your business, enjoy your life!

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