Growing your Brand (3 things that are holding you back)
Ready to start growing your brand but feeling a little stuck?
I’ve been there. When it feels like no matter what you tweak, it never feels aligned to who you are or what you’re trying to portray. Actually, I pretty much used to live there, and it honestly took me years to figure out what was actually the problem.
I remember being so frustrated because the beautiful brand that lived in my head just wasn’t translating to paper, even though I knew it was possible.
But that’s the thing to remember about being frustrated with your brand or your business. Frustration itself can be a really positive sign because it means you still know that something is possible. You just don’t know how to get there yet.
And trust me it is possible. But I definitely did it the hard way and I don’t want it to take you years to figure it out like it took me. So let’s take a look at what’s keeping you running in circles right now. That way you can start making decisive steps forward with your branding.
Here are the 3 things that might be keeping you from growing your brand
Indecision
A little bit of this.. or maybe it should be a little bit of that. I think I want things to look like this… but wait, maybe if I went this way, it will appeal to more people.
That ping-pong thing you’ve got going on in your head is seriously holding you back.
We get so uncertain and so uncomfortable worrying that we might be making the wrong decision that we either procrastinate and make no decision at all, or we make half-decisions and our brand winds up muddled and confused.
Regardless of how your indecision manifests, it is clearly communicating a lack of confidence to your audience.
I want you to consider something. When it comes to the growth of your business, what if there were no wrong decisions?
Who told you that once you make a decision about growing your brand that you’re not allowed to pivot or change?
If you listen to any of the big, million-dollar business owners, they almost always have a story that’s like “well I started by doing this until doing that made me realize my calling was actually this.”
Even if you make a decision and you don’t really like the outcome, it’s going to get you closer and closer to figuring out what does work for you. As opposed to doing nothing because you can’t figure out which choice is “the right one.”
So, where is all the fear coming from? Maybe you can lower the stakes a little in your mind. View the decisions about your brand and your business as more of an experiment instead of something that has so much pressure riding on it.
If you can let go of your need for certainty, and trust that no matter what you choose now you’re going to figure it out… You’re going to give your brand the space it needs to experiment, observe, and grow.
Imposter Syndrome
Do you always feel like things need to be perfect before you start growing your brand? Or maybe you get those “what if” thoughts that just sneak up on you.
“What if I’m not good enough, what happens if I fail, or what if no one is interested?”
It rushes over you like a wave. Then suddenly you just want to crawl up under your blankets and watch Netflix all day. Do you know why that stings so bad? Because it’s not true and I think deep down you know that.
Imposter syndrome is like an anchor keeping your brand held down where things are safe and comfortable. But safe and comfortable is not where your dreams come true, and it’s definitely not a place where your brand can become as great as it was meant to be.
The thing that I find the most helpful when I’m on an imposter syndrome spiral is to just stop making it all about me.
I start to ask better questions. So instead of “what if I fail?” I ask “what if this could really help someone, even just one person, but I’m too afraid to put it out there?”
I take the focus off of “me” centered consequences. Instead I think about the consequences it could have on others if I don’t show up. That gives me a much better perspective and helps to bring that determination back.
When I think about it this way, I know that I can make steps forward even if I’m scared. Because it’s not about whether I think I’m good enough. Everyone is good enough to help someone.
A Lack of Clarity
This is point number 3 because I think that points 1 and 2 are intensified by a lack of clarity. But when we get really clear on our brand intentions and our core values as a business, it becomes a lot easier to calm indecision and imposter syndrome.
There are a number of ways you can find clarity in your brand. One is by actually taking action! This goes back to indecision and just taking those big leaps. But you also need to remember to reflect on those choices.
Yes. Action creates clarity, but only if you’re mindful about it. So be sure to check in regularly with how you feel about things like your brand, your services, and you messaging. You can do this by journaling or just talking it through with someone who understands your business.
You can also find massive amounts of clarity by learning from people who have done this before.
I can’t even tell you how many hours I’ve spent pouring over books. Or for that matter, how many dollars I’ve invested in online courses and coaching. Don’t be afraid to invest in your mindset or your business.
“The key is to learn from the experts—those who have already done what you want to do. Don’t reinvent the wheel. The fastest way to achieve everything you want is to model successful people who have already achieved it.” – Hal Elrond
Are these things holding you back from growing your brand?
I know I’m asking you to dig a little deeper. I also know that this post is not the conventional “hacks” to grow your brand that you’re used to. But that’s not what we’re about here.
If you can work through the source of your indecision and imposter syndrome you’ll start to make incredible, quantum leaps forward. And if you can pair that with massive clarity in your business, your brand is going to be free to grow to its full potential. And when that happens, your life is going to change.
