There’s a famous quote primarily attributed to F. Scott Fitzgerald that begins:
“For what it’s worth, it’s never too late, or in my case too early, to be whatever you want to be. There’s no time limit. Start whenever you want. You change or stay the same. There are no rules to this thing.”
What I love most about these words is their uplifting and empowering message—we always have a choice. We have agency over who we want to be, regardless of where we’ve started or our current circumstances. There are limitless possibilities for all of us.
Cultivate awareness to gain insight and clarity.
As the quote implies, no steadfast rules or “right or wrong” exist regarding exploring and expanding your mindset and capabilities. However, having a clear sense of who you are, your purpose, mission, and values will help you assess whether you’re on the correct path.
Living true to your brand means your internal system, desires, values, and goals are in harmony with your outward persona and actions. You’ll know when you’re aligned because your worries and concerns will subside. You’ll feel an inner peace and approach your activities with confidence and determination.
Investing in your well-being, including scheduling rest, is crucial. You can only replenish your internal and external resources when you retreat from all the busyness surrounding you. Then, with a sense of openness and renewal, you can witness how you think, act, and feel—your mind, body, and heart—and know if you’re staying in alignment.
Expand your brand potential.
With increased self-awareness and acceptance of all aspects of yourself, you can reimagine your world and unlock your potential to harness your YOU-ness.
Here are five ways you can start to explore what makes sense for you:
Get honest with yourself.
Reflect on what’s most important to you and conduct your own annual review. Make a list or dust off an old one and outline your values, mission, non-negotiables, and what you want and need. Next, highlight what’s working well and what you’d like to change. For example, “Are you satisfied with where you’re at?” and “If you had no limitations, what would you like to be doing in the next six to twelve months or the next few years?” Don’t judge what you observe. Instead, take a compassionate and realistic stance to understand where you are and decide how you want to proceed.
Amplify your talents.
An excellent way to assess your current capabilities and emotional intelligence (EQ) skills is by conducting a SWOT analysis and comparing your current state versus your desired state to uncover gaps and close them. Having a healthy EQ is essential for strengthening your interpersonal relationships and how you present yourself. Whether you notice it or not, you give out a specific energetic vibe at the emotional level when interacting with others that impacts how they perceive and respond to you.
Reconnect with yourself.
We often look outward to find solutions for whatever we’re facing, with the notion that someone or something else is at fault and they should fix it. Yet, that is rarely the case. Most times, it’s because we are out of sync with ourselves. When you experience this, turn inward and listen to your intuition, which will help you minimize stress and create balance.
Gather insight externally.
Like a kaleidoscope, humans are multi-layered with many personas, and each of us has our own growth challenges and blind spots to overcome. What may seem insignificant to you may be significant to someone else. Using reputable third-party assessments, engaging in therapeutic work, and learning your Human Design can provide information on why you do what you do and strategies to work with to bolster your brand.
Elevate your personal narrative and story.
The more grounded you become in who you are, the more you can set realistic boundaries while remaining flexible in your interactions with others. When you allow yourself space to see what lights you up and depletes you, you can strategize and reprioritize where you want to invest your efforts and adjust your personal narrative and brand strategy to support your vision, mission, and goals.
Believe in yourself, identify with your mission, and stay motivated.
Your attitude toward what you want to achieve makes all the difference. You don’t need to wait until the New Year or some particular milestone to begin. Take one step—now—no matter how small, while you’re thinking about it and feeling energized and determined. There’s no time like the present. Focus equals success.
If you’re still uncomfortable with where to begin or stuck at a particular step, remember that you’re not alone. Find someone to talk it through with, search online for ideas, or join a meet-up group. To learn more about my coaching services, click here.
Deepen your perspective to activate your best.
As a lifelong student, certified professional coach, and consultant, activating the best in others through self-leadership, interpersonal relations, and team dynamics are passions of mine. My approach is personalized and customized, tapping into various assessments, disciplines, modalities, and techniques. To learn more, schedule a call with me.