Life stinks and then you die. Sadly, that’s what a lot of people think. Even if they don’t think it, they certainly act that way.
Why are so many people miserable?
Maybe you’re thinking “That’s not me, I’m not miserable.” That’s great, but can you honestly say you have a deep sense of peace, calm and contentment? If so, give me a call and we can hang out on my deck together. Unfortunately, that’s not how most people feel on a regular basis.
What does this have to do with branding?… Everything!
In my opinion, happiness is not a state of being, it is a way of life. Happiness is built on the choices you make every day moment by moment. And BRANDING is nothing more and nothing less than a set of choices. How you choose to express yourself, how you choose to do business, how you choose to use your talents are all elements of what makes up your personal brand. Your brand is made up of your choices and your happiness, or lack there of, is also made from your choices.
One reason many people are not as happy as they could be is because they never choose. They get stuck in a perpetual state of thinking and projecting. “What will happen if I do this option? What if it doesn’t work? What if it’s the wrong choice and I lose money, time or a relationship?” Indecision creates a constant state of mental struggle and tension.
Another reason happiness evades a lot of us is we don’t really know what we want. We have a vague idea of what we think we want, but the vision is not totally in focus. If we were really clear on our desires, the decisions would be much easier to make. For example, if you knew you wanted to build a massive audience, you might decide to pursue media outlets for exposure. On the other hand, if what you really wanted was a deeper connection to your clients, you might try targeted Facebook ads to create an exclusive, high-end roster.
Once you know what you want, you can backwards engineer the steps to getting there.
Often the most painful reason people are not happy is because they do not truly believe they can have what they want. Maybe they were denied something in the past. Maybe they failed or were short-changed by a loved one. For whatever reason, it feels like what they want is not meant for them. Have you ever had that feeling? It often sounds like this in your head, “Oh,that could never happen for me. I could never do that. That’s just for other people.” I know I have had those thoughts at different times in my life and they are total dream crushers.
The goal is not to be blissed-out 24/7, nor it is possible. The good news is however, it is possible to be happy. Unless you suffer from a debilitating medical condition, there is no reason you can’t create a life of joy and fulfillment and even then it may be possible.
You deserve to have what you want, make the money you want, have the relationships you want and BE who you really want to be! You deserve to create the exact life that will make your heart sing, but here’s the catch…
Only YOU can make yourself happy.
You alone have the power to know what lies in your mind’s eye. Only you know what makes your heart skip a beat in joy. Only you know the exact color of blue the ocean needs to be to make your summer feel complete. And only YOU can make the decisions and take the actions needed to make your dreams a reality.
However, if you’d like a little boost, here are a few tips to help you get your brand-happy on more quickly:
1. Keep a journal and write down every time you feel a positive emotion. Whether it’s happiness, joy, excitement, hopeful anticipation etc. write down what was happening at the time that made you feel good. You will start to notice patterns. What emerges may confirm what you already suspect about your preferences or it may surprise you or give you new insight into a clear direction.
2. Make a choice. Few choices in life are permanently damaging which is what we all fear. (Unless, of course, you give a 4 year old a sharpie, but who would do that!:) Usually, if a
decision doesn’t yield a result we like, we can course-correct. Making the decision puts you in action and action builds your happy muscle! Every decision you make, commit to and take
action on gives you information about the next step you’d like to take.
3. Read biographies of people whose life you’d think you’d like to have. This is such a great exercise. Not only do you get wonderful ideas and inspiration for creating something amazing
for yourself, you will also get a glimpse of the journey they took to get where they are. You see that ordinary people, just like you, have done exdraordinary things and you begin to
realize success isn’t just for other people, it’s for brave people who work hard…people like YOU.
Happiness is for you, but you have to claim it and consistently work towards your vision. When you do, you’ll find the goal is a bonus, the journey is what brings the joy:)
If would like help hearing your voice and knowing what decisions will make you happier and more profitable, click here to schedule a one-on-one=>FREE Brand Clarity Call.
Your feedback is music to my ears!
What strategies do you use to expand your happiness?
Post your answers below in the comments or find me on Facebook.
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Heather Poduska is a brand strategist, image consultant, business coach and opera singer who helps entrepreneurs and small business owners create client attractive brands, polished brand images and brand communication strategies to increase their visibility and impact in the marketplace and grow their businesses.
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