We hear a lot about branding -- personal branding, entrepreneurial branding -- how you show up; your logo, your colors, your message, and this month we will address branding in those arenas in other posts. But, first, as this month is International Boost Self Esteem Month, we want to touch on branding from a self esteem stand point.
In our life's travel, we go through different stages, and frequently before we come to know who we are, we allow others (and sometimes, circumstances) to label us -- branding in a different sense.
Some of the labels I suffered and maybe you did too, include insecure, co-dependent, being the yes-person; circumstances included teen pregnancy, unemployment, underemployment, abuse -- physical, emotional, mental. What or who has branded you?
For those of you on the journey of discovering self, use these in your travels:
The Stubborn Warriorette. The inner warrior, whether she's standing tall, on her knees or wounded in a fetal position, she's there. Her mindset is:
- I WILL do my purpose;
- This is NOT the end;
- I refuse to allow a temporal reality to be a permanent life sentence;
- I must see what's on the other side of this thing.
She has stubborn, bulldog faith and she refuses to die. She finds and learns the lessons presented along the way and chooses not to allow bitterness to take up residence.
The Other Side. Once you come to yourself -- once you're healed and have successfully filled the internal voids . . .
- You shed the former labels;
- Step into your true identity; and
- Redefine and affirm the real you.
Some will be shocked and even disappointed at the real you saying, "no" and setting boundaries -- 'who does she think she is?!' Don't despair. The opinions of other people don't matter so much any more. You've now created your own stage and some (naysayers and dream killers) might just need to vacate your space -- exit stage left!
Two nuggets to remember:
- Labels can't keep the REAL you bound.
- Your current circumstance may be part of your story, but is not your final destination.
Latifah Abdullah is founder of Tibay International. Using optimism, forward thinking, and passion for a woman’s well being, the Tibay Community provides tools, how to’s, and candid conversation on legacy wealth, business, finance, faith, fashion, and health -- empowering women and women entrepreneurs to live a full, authentic life.
The community uses a ‘whole person’ approach to provide business and personal resources to women and women business owners.
After leaving our meeting, I immediately thought about a book that I read a few years ago by Keith Ferrazzi called 
