How do you want to be known? 

Branding is how you are portraying yourself and how you are perceived by others. It’s
also how you want to be known.  It is important to note that branding is a made up of the messages that we convey as well as factors such as who you associate with, the places you go, and the
communication style that you have.  
 
Think about that person that seems to be very reserved but her best buddy has a big
mouth?  So what do we say?  “You know Sally; she hangs out with the office gossip, Georgia all the time.”

What about that person that was attractive but their language was foul, so when they
are described, they are often known as “Very attractive, but swears like a drunken sailor”?  That’s how he/she is known, that is their brand. 

Then, there’s the guy that is always at the mall shopping, but never has 75 cents for
a soda.  He’s always talks about what he has but he never seems to have any money. That’s how we know him, as the “Broke guy that’s always at the mall”.

 I am sure you get my point by now, and truthfully, I have worked to keep this PG, but
think about some people in your life and how they are known.  Then take this week’s Life Empowered Moment to think about how you are known.  Then do the following:

 Ask yourself is that how I want to be known?  

How do I want to be known? 

Here are a few steps to begin rebranding yourself. 
 
1)  Write down how you want to be known.  

2)  Write down what it will take for you to become that brand.  

3) Begin implementing your rebranding plan.  For example, maybe you have to
decrease the amount of time you spend with the office gossip, minimize your swearing, make sure you have adequate lunch money or just stop begging.  

4)  Search for some adequate replacement options as you are moving things out of your zone, such as
reading.  It will increase your knowledge and expand your vocabulary.   

5) Post  your commitment in a frequently viewed location such as your mirror, office desk, wallet, or door.  

Follow these steps daily to improve your brand will be changed before you know it. 

The last thing that I want you to know about branding is that, it’s ok to be known as what you used to be.  As long as “used to be” is in the statement; that means that your brand is changing and it is being acknowledged.  Just keep working at it. 

There are times in life when it seems that everything that can go wrong, will go wrong. 
Everything that you seem to touch is not turning to gold but to ashes.  Then in your mind you begin
to say to yourself “When it rains, it pours!”

I know we have all been there.  These are points when it feels as though life and everyone in it is against you and what you are working to accomplish.  You may be struggling in your job, your relationships, and in your finances.  It just feels like rain.  
 
Reflecting back to when I was a child, we used to say “Rain, rain go away, come back another day”. 
It’s ironic that we asked for it another day. But the reality is that we need the rain. It allows us to grow, flourish, and be rejuvenated.  It is just a simple fact of life.  Sometimes during the rain it’s difficult to see the beauty that is going to come as a result of it, but I want to encourage to look up. 
If you look up you can see the rainbow.  Think of it as your promise that greatness is coming.  

So your life empowered moment is this- Look for your rainbow in the rain. Whether it’s in a soft drizzle or torrential rain, just look for your rainbow.  It’s there!