Discovering my Brand

They say that in order to become more effective in business or in life we should first discover what we stand for or in other words discover your "brand". A brand is not just an image or a logo...it's more than that. It's how we are perceived by the people we connect with everyday. So I asked myself what exactly is the definition of my brand. What do I stand for? Is my message clear? Do others find me credible? Do I motivate others? Not just in the blogosphere...... but in my everyday life!

On Blogger, Facebook and Twitter I can tell whether or not people relate to my message. That's the beauty of this social networking thing....you get instant responses. However, real life doesn't have a list of followers or a "like" button, and it is important to me that people know what I stand for, find me credible and are motivated by my actions in even the smallest way. I believe each and every one of us has a brand that comes with a story and a purpose attached. Our story usually consists of the struggles and successes we have experienced in life. Then we take our story and find our purpose. In other words how can I use my experiences to help others?

Here is a short synopsis of my story:

Like most women I have many different titles and play many different roles from wife, mother, daughter, friend and teacher. However, over the years I allowed these roles to define who I am and control my level of happiness and contentment with my life. Although I loved my life....I didn't always love myself and as a result neglected my needs. So I had to find time to just be me again. The me that didn't have all these other roles and titles...the me who only had herself to care for.

A few summers ago I was determined to find the time to get to know me again and to find time to acknowledge and celebrate all the things that make me fabulous. I began the amazing rediscovery of me and learning to love myself from the inside out! I am still a work in progress but I am so excited about the rest of the journey!

So then I decided to take my story and start a blog and what do you know?....there were so many women out there who felt the same way I did and who shared their stories and experiences with me. They too were ready to love themselves unconditionally and celebrate all that was fabulous about being a woman!

And ta da....a brand was born!

So now I had my brand. The next step was to find my objective. What did I want to accomplish? What steps could I take to make sure I was living my life to fulfill my purpose? Then one day it came to me through a dream or...more like a vision. If I really want to help women love themselves unconditionally why not start instilling these beliefs to young girls so they can grow into confident women! So then I started I Love Me Unconditionally a mentoring program where young girls are empowered, inspired and educated to love themselves unconditionally!

So I guess you can say that I have discovered my brand and even though life doesn't have a retweet button...I am confident that my story and message has reached and inspired some, and in turn I have been empowered and motivated to keep marketing my brand!

And as I always say...the best is yet to come!

My Feel Fabulous Makeover!

Lately, I haven't been feeling quite like myself. In other words unfabulous. It's been an extremely challenging school year so far and my calendar has been jammed packed with meetings, deadlines, workshops, conferences, dinner parties, social events....and oh yeah laundry! I really need an assistant! It just seems like there is always so much to do and never enough time to get it all done. By the end of most days, I am so exhausted that I barely put my head on the pillow at night before I am snoring sound asleep. It's gotten so bad that other people have even commented on the change they see in me. *sigh* I am just overwhelmed.

I can't pinpoint exactly when it started but slowly I feel myself losing my fabulousness! And that is just unacceptable. It took me too long to feel fabulous about myself to lose all that fabulousness in just a few stressful months. Although, I try to keep up with my outer appearance....I realized that I have been neglecting the inner me. Recently, I was reading an article on how you can give yourself a feel great makeover by setting and accomplishing small practical goals each week. Perfect! Because my mind, body and soul is desperate need of a makeover.

So here is how my Feel Fabulous make over is going to work. For the next 8 weeks I will make small changes in my life that will focus on a different goal. I am hoping that by doing this I will reorganize my life, regain my energy, rethink my routines and get my fabulousness back!

Week 1- Start a Journal
Week 2- Set New Health Goals
Week 3- Practice Positive Thinking
Week 4- Drink More Water
Week 5- Make Each Day More Active
Week 6- Add a New Exercise
Week 7- Catch Up on Sleep
Week 8- Be More Mindful

Each week I will share what I did to accomplish my weekly goal and who knows my feel fabulous makeover may inspire you to make some small changes that can result in big results. Hey, you have nothing to lose and everything fabulous to gain!

Me + This Blog =Therapy

Friend of a friend: Are you still doing that blog?
Me: Yeah!
Friend of a friend: Are you getting paid for it?
Me: No....
Annoying Friend of a friend: So why do you still do it?

(Okay, let's pause this conversation here for a minute.)

I had to think about that question for a few seconds. But a few seconds is all I gave it. The truth is I love to write but by no means do I pretend to be a professional. Believe me, I am not expecting a literary award for this. I write about topics that I have experienced or care strongly about with the hopes that maybe someone can relate. It makes me happy to know that something that I wrote might make a reader smile, think, or be encouraged. When I sit down to write a post it is the equivalent of a therapy session for me. This blog has giving me an outlet that has allowed me to express myself. I have also gotten great advice from some amazing women and I am even able to vent freely when necessary! What more can you ask for from a good therapist??

So, no I am not doing it for fame or fortune. I blog for me and for the few who may be encouraged in some way. Because ladies....as I encourage you I am encouraging myself!

So now let's continue the conversation here:

Me: I do it for me! It's very therapeutic. You should really try it!

It's A New Year!!!!!

For many reasons September is my unofficial new year. As a teacher it is a time to start fresh with a new class and new supplies. Just like my students, I get new clothes, new shoes and always a new bag to start the new year off right! September is also my birthday month so it's fitting that I unofficially start my new year now.

This past year I have seen myself grow in ways I never thought possible. It's funny how we put limitations on all we can do without even trying. I really believe this year I am going to step out in faith more than ever. So this is my time to reflect like so many of us do at the beginning of a new year. Who says I have to wait for January 1st?

I think we all need to have a time to recharge our batteries and start fresh with new goals and new beginnings. Or maybe you just feel the need to get a make-over mentally and/or physically. What ever it is ....just do it now! Like they say there is no time like the present!!

I challenge you to think of all the New Year's resolutions you have on hold waiting to announce to the world in January and start them right now. Whether it is finding a new job, going back to school, living a healthier lifestyle, etc. etc. What is the real reason you are waiting?

So come on let's all start our New Year's now! Ready....10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1....HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

Okay, so now what is your new year's resolution?

What I Wish I Knew at 16

At 16 I wish I knew:

1. that not all my "friends" meant the best for me
2. that my metabolism would come to almost a complete halt
3. that when a teenage boy says I love you he probably doesn't really mean it
4. it was okay that I didn't have the latest name brand clothes
5. that not learning those math formulas in algebra will come back to haunt me in college
6. to enjoy being young.... there is no rush to grow up
7. that the mistakes I made will only make me wiser
8. how I felt about myself is more important than how others felt about me
9. that the hurtful situations that I thought I would never forget...will all be forgotten.
10. that my mother wasn't always wrong

What do you wish you knew at 16?

me at sixteen