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A few steps to get you started on the path of exploring your personal brand

A few steps to get you started on the path of exploring your personal brand

by | | Blog

We have all done it…. rolled out of bed, and hit the ground running with full intentions of returning to “get dressed.”  Now, somehow it’s noon, and we still are not really put together for how we intended. Sure, you never anticipated having to go on three different errands, yet, it happens. Perhaps you had to dash to the school to drop off your child’s project, which was left behind. Or swing into the post office to mail an order to a client. And then of course, there is the practical added errand like getting milk to save a later trip. As luck would have it you run into three people you know along the way…

How do you feel when you engage with these people? Are you happy to see them? Are you comfortable? Do you feel prepared to answer a question about your business? Or, are you just hoping they don’t notice the toothpaste markings on your sweatshirt…?

I am not advocating for perfection. Perfection is not realistic, and it’s not genuine. I am a believer of feeling comfortable. That can mean many things to different people. I know for me when I feel disheveled or drab, I don’t feel my best. This in turn can influence how I interact with others.

How we present ourselves in every area of our lives sets the tone. Whether we are aware of this or not, we ARE our personal image; this influences how others perceive us. While it would be nice to think we are not so impressionable, we as humans simply are. What we wear is a huge piece of how we present ourselves to the world.

Everything we do affects our personal and professional brand. It is up to us to determine whether our brand is affected positively or negatively.

What exactly is Branding?

Simply put, branding is the process of influencing perception. Branding helps people perceive us and our company in the way WE CHOOSE.. notice the words “we choose”, because if we don’t shape our brand, other people will shape it for us… In their minds, they will make assumptions quickly based on what are their impressions of us. Attire is an instant language.

Branding is what helps you stand out in the marketplace. When you step into the glorious person you are and present your unique self that is the best kind of confidence and positive marketing. Why? Because it’s genuine and it’s relatable. With such a fast pace society today, people are craving personable relationships which are authentic. When you are being truly you this assists to ensure trust and supportive attention. This trust is just as valuable if you are forming relationships with other parents or meeting with a client. It’s all related for you’re always presenting yourself in every area of your life. From picking up your “to go” food to walking into a meeting.

Defining your personal or business brand is one of the most special gifts you give to yourself and the world. It is your time to shine! My wish as an image maven is that every woman shine in her own miraculous and unique way! There are many facets that go into a successful brand. Like any task it can be more manageable when taken in steps. Your attire is one piece but it’s also an important one. The beauty of exploring your style is also knowing that it will evolve and change over time. So be patient. Remember, this isn’t about being perfect. Everyone starts somewhere and like anything new it can feel awkward before it feels elegant. This is an invitation to hone in on your unique style which will compliment and attract more positive experiences.

Your clothing is a tool. It can work for you or against you. The key is knowing how to dress your body and honoring your style.

Where to begin?

Following are a few steps to get you started on the path of exploring your personal brand….

Be Unforgettable – Aside from your wisdom and sunny demeanor, what sets you apart? What do you want people to remember about you? Now this doesn’t mean you grab an over the top fluffy jacket fit for show tunes. It means there is something that you add which is noticeable. Perhaps it’s a savvy accent color, a necklace which is unique, or a flattering hat. Having a piece that draws the eye in can not only be a way to be memorable it also can be a great conversation starter.

Be Authentic – Do not try to mold yourself to what others think you should be. If you are not dressing in a style that is comfortable not only will you suffer but it can affect the integrity of the relationship as well. Be the best version of yourself.

Bring In The Troops  –   It is valuable to reach out to those trusted individuals for feedback who will be honest with you because they care. Choose wisely. Gathering some friends for a night in to sift through your clothes can be a blast! If you do not have the right type of support then you may want to consider retaining a professional. We all need a trusted confidant to provide honest feedback, be kind, loving and support our individuality.

Get Inspired And Excited! –  When you look at your closet you should get excited by the items that fill them for they ideally make you feel beautiful and happy! If they do not then that is a place to start. Many times we can get in the habit of throwing on whatever and just getting by. Perhaps it’s because we don’t feel worthy, perhaps it’s we don’t want the attention. Or perhaps we have no idea how to dress our bodies. Remember, if you don’t feel truly magnificent and confident then you will send this message on some level. Whether you are working with a professional or making some changes on your own it does not need to be expensive or labor intensive. Phew! It really can be very easy… you just have to start!

If you are not sure what you like for a style then the best thing to do is to explore. Set aside some you time, pull up a chair and pick a place. It could be magazines, Pinterest etc. Pay attention and note what you are drawn to. Don’t think about the cost, where you’d wear it or if you could pull it off. Just notice what draws you in and how it makes you feel.

Be proactive – This is no time to be overly modest or shy. It’s important to move at your own pace but just make sure you keep moving forward. Refreshing and defining your style really takes very little effort and it can be so very fun! Women have gotten away from dressing up. Many of us didn’t think twice about it when we were younger – clomping around in our Mother’s shoes and pearls and loving it for we were supporting our imagination and self expression. We need to give to ourselves as we often are doing for others. For when we do, we shine both personally and professionally.

About the Author:

brandonBrandon Dewyea
Image Maven of Moxie
findyourmoxie.net
[email protected]
518-336-0157

Clear The Clutter

Clear The Clutter

by | | Blog

Often most of us embrace the New Year with vigor and zest. Many times we set great intentions and think, “This is the year!” This is THE month I am REALLY going to follow through with ________.

More often then not we set off with a plan, have a few successful days or weeks and then peter out. It makes complete sense. There is so much pressure on us for a big change with the start of the new year and often we take on too many changes at once.

This year I invite you to approach your goal setting a bit differently. While this can be applied to any task, we are going to specifically focus on your wardrobe as a starting point. The first step is to not wait until the turn of the new year. Start now! With these simple steps you will glide through the holidays with ease and feel that much more ahead. I promise!

We all have those deep areas of our drawers and closets that are accumulating with clothing and accessory clutter. There are many wonderful creative ways to store items for visibility and efficiency but first one must clear the clutter and asses what stays and what goes.

cleartheclutter

Step one:

There are three weeks until we welcome the new year. Pull out your schedule now and block off 20 minutes per week. I suggest scheduling this during times when the house is mellow. Perhaps when everyone is away for the day. An early am or after everyone is asleep. You need to have a relaxing environment to have a positive experience. Otherwise you are going to get frustrated and chances are you won’t finish – and we don’t want more clutter from your good efforts!

Step two:

In preparation for your first designated day gather three bins or boxes for your first session. Place a label on each and label them
Maybe – Alterations – Unload

Step Three:

I personally have way more fun when I tackle any “daunting” task with some music. Even if I have to pop in my headphones. Having a few favorite songs will help you zip through the task with ease. I suggest setting an alarm for 15 minutes. This will enable you to stay on point and not get berried by a sea of items which can leave you feeling discouraged and overwhelmed.

Step Four:

Start with a small section of your personal area. Perhaps it’s 3 ft. of the closet. Two drawers or that accumulative “catch all” area hiding behind  your dresses. Wherever you choose to start make sure you set your intentions on a small and manageable area for the time allotted. Don’t unload your whole closet on your bed and think you are going to fly right through it. Small areas leads to successful and manageable results.

Pick up one item at a time and pay attention to how you feel. While I don’t want you to be wasteful I do encourage you to be intentional. If it’s an item your purchased 15 years ago because it was on sale (and you have not worn it) then I would suggest identifying if a) you have not worn it because you don’t know what you’ll pair it with but LOVE it. Or b) Are you keeping it out of guilt. Or something other like you hope you will fit into it someday. If it’s b then I suggest placing it in the “Unload” bin. The fact is, if you don’t REALLY love it and have not worn it in 15 years then you most likely will not. I encourage you to dress the body you have now. There will always be other pieces you can come across later. Clothing you wear should make you light up and encourage positive emotions. If it’s kept for other reasons then it may be worth exploring why.

If it is an item that is superb but just needs a simple alteration then get it altered! Don’t let another year go by. Place it in the “Alterations” bin. If you know you are wanting to keep the item then fold/hang and return it to it’s area. Try to use this space to stay on top of the organization. Do not get swept into re designing your whole closet right now but don’t just throw an item back on the floor if that is where you found it. Remember, small steps make a huge difference to the overall goal.

If it is an item that you don’t know the answer to in 10 seconds then place it in the “Maybe” bin and move on.

Step Five:

When you’re alarm goes off make sure you stop. You will want the few minutes to now shift gears from pausing this tasks and cleaning up. Don’t leave your bins in the middle of the room. Instead, move them off to the side for your next session. Use this time to tidy any hangers and “reset” the room as you found it. Lastly, check your schedule for the next session you set aside. Double check the date is still manageable. If not then find a new 20 minute slot. Do not put this off as you want to feel a sense of progress. You may have to shift the date down the road but at least you are making an effort. After session three you most likely will have a fair amount of items to alter and move on out. There are many ways to unload apparel and accessories. From consignment to donation there is a solution for everyone. Have some alterations? See below for a discount.

The first step towards less clutter is to remove the unwanted items. Then, you can focus on organization, assessing what your wardrobe is missing etc. There are many ways to approach this however when time is limited I suggest removing what is not needed first.

You won’t get this all accomplished in a few sessions so be kind to yourself and don’t set yourself up for disappointment. It did not take a few days to accumulate the clutter. Be thankful and proud of yourself that you have started. Even making a dent is better then a dodge!

Keep an eye out for my follow up for useful and creative storage ideas for all those awesome goodies you have! Go to: findyourmoxie.net

Written By Brandon Dewyea – Image Maven

brandonBrandon works with both men and women providing support and guidance with their apparel needs. She believes there is incredible value in truly loving what you wear both personally and professionally as it’s a part of your personality. Her services range from closet edits, shopping support, special occasion dressing, look books and workshops. To learn more about Brandon’s services go to: http://www.findyourmoxie.net

Receive 10% off Alterations with McKinnon Services – home of the traveling tailor and more.
Make sure to mention this blog when you reach out to Shelley at:  [email protected] / 518-365-8239