Who Do You Want to Be?
There are two questions that start my work as a strategist:
- Are you looking for permission or the blueprint AND
- Who do you want to be?
We all have non-negotiable values, and even when we compromise what we believe in as a tradeoff to getting what we want – there are still some core fundamental beliefs that we don’t ever negotiate.
For me, it’s identity.
Creative expression is rooted in the ability to self-identify and while there are many complexities when discussing identity, the fact that we can discuss them is in itself a freedom and luxury many others don’t have.
But it also comes at a premium.
Storytelling is infused in everything we do and how we identify is also a story we expressed. Who we choose to be, the choices we make, and the passions we pursue are telling a story about who are in that season of life. I constantly have to remind myself of this.
Because when you don’t like the story your life is telling, how can you make moves to turn that chapter into something else?
I am a Latina from the projects in LES, born to the Generation X crew and in the season of Pisces with an indecisive Libra moon, a rebellious Aquarius ascendant + Mars, and a hyper-individualistic Venus in Aries.
How does this show up in my brand?
I chose a professional career that includes vocational counseling for individuals that are often discriminated against in the workplace. I also pursued a career in digital marketing, learning how to bring projects to life with limited budgets. Now I embrace an imperfect storytelling style that integrates social awareness with a passion for entertaining the most whimsical daydreams.
Most people forget I’m a Pisces until I start ranting in nonsensical prose. 🧜🏼♀️
Who you’ve had to be and how you’ve cultivated your skills is your competitive edge.
The lived experiences you’ve nurtured were in service to support the leader you now have to embody in order to elevate your brand + business.
So how are you working with what you’ve got?
How are you leveraging your unapologetic self to stand out?
If you have to placate your identity to make others feel comfortable then maybe it’s time to reconsider the spaces you’re navigating.
Because the people who need your magic won’t give a fuck about HOW you are helping to transform their lives. They’ll be grateful to have someone who FINALLY sees and understands them.
Real talk: your truth comes with a price and that can absolutely impact the opportunities afforded to you.
Your unapologetic identity may cost you clients, customers, and other business opportunities.
I’ve been having off-the-record conversations about how integrity is expensive AF.
Depending on where you’re at with all of that, selling out your integrity might be financially worth it. And I won’t judge you for that. We all do what we have to do.
However, if you want to figure out how to build a sustainable brand that doesn’t compromise your integrity – I’m here with some snarky commentaries and creative strategies.
Just because everyone is feeding into a system that thrives on oppression, that doesn’t mean you also need to fall in line…unless you want to AND it works for you.
The beauty of self-employment is that you get to set the parameters for who you want to be and how you want to thrive.
Figuring out the strategy to making your magic work takes time especially when you have to divest from how you think it’s supposed to happen.
A digital hustle opens you up to a global audience which cultivates freedom because now you don’t have to contort your brand to accommodate the people who don’t want your authenticity to inconvenience them.
You don’t have to limit your brand + business to the same people who don’t believe you have what it takes to be successful.
You can thrive outside of the “box.”
In this case, the “box” can be anything. It could be your job, how you think, the circles you navigate, and the unmet expectations you may have about life.
You just have to learn to emotionally detach from the power you’ve been conditioned to believe that this proverbial “box” has.
Unless you like the “box.” Unless your comfort zone is more important to you than personal growth. Unless you don’t care about being authentic and moving with integrity. If this is you…👍
There is tremendous power in aligning with your truth.
There are metrics for success that don’t involve currency. The freedom to hustle with integrity comes with a peace of mind that no MLM-inspired sales tactic can compete with.
Now who’s ready to embrace their unapologetic identity? 🙋🏻♀️