Your Powerful Brand!

It’s your friend Pam, for over a decade I have been talking about Living HIPP, this lifestyle brand I created. As I go through yet another re-branding, I also take in account my life lessons, my personal experiences, my observations and my framework (both the framework that I created for HIPP and the framework of me, the DNA of life experiences and how they shape each one of us).

For years, branding experts and consultants have told me to brand myself, even though I already had my personal brand, I did not want it to be about me, it was so much bigger than me, it was about us. A decade later it still is about us, but not all of us. We are not exclusive, we are more inclusive, however, not everyone shares the same values, spirit, mindset and therefore, this is not their thing nor should it be. This is for the woman or mom that wants to raise the bar on the modern day woman and how we define ourselves—the super woman mentality needs to go, and we need to nurture our mental, physical and spiritual health even more. Women are busier than ever, moms are doing double duty (this is a fact, now picture a busy woman, add children on top of it and she is not just busy and overwhelmed, her heart and brain are with other little or big humans, and that never ends, not until her last breathe. Clearly this is mostly women, and it is not to say that Dad’s have it easy, we know some are the stay at home ones. The fact is…. We need to unveil the truth behind the expectations and demands on women and especially moms because we are promoting it in a way, not even realizing it (which I have contributed too, and with HIPP I am trying eradicate that and talk about the importance of mental health, radical self care and balance).

There is no simple fix, and the important thing here is to operate and communicate with far more grace, compassion, love and kindness to self and to others. Yes, it is that simple but yet so hard…. Social media has made it worst (and I love SM for many reasons with the exception of this one, the highlight reel). Please don’t compare your insides with someones Kodak moment “outsides” on line, it is self defeating and far from the truth. Likewise, there is no need to compete with anyone, the only one we need to compete with is the version we were yesterday, ourselves, and be a better us, not a perfect us, just one that knows how to dance through life. This requires grace, humility, love, acceptance and a caring heart. I had a decade of both amazing things and really tough things and at the end of the day, beyond healing and growth (letting go and trusting) comes an undeniable confidence in the relationship we have with ourselves. The journey to self, loving her, getting to know her, respecting her, listening to her and leading her (and even protecting her).

You are the one you have been waiting for.

Let me say it again…. You are the one you need, trust, and who needs you, self care, compassion, love and belief.

Don’t try to win anyone over, not a person, not a brand, not a group, organization, no one. Look at yourself in the mirror and say this “lets go baby”. As I write this I realized I have not done exactly that (in those words), but in the past few years I have chosen myself, I have chosen my love over fear, and I have chosen to take responsibility to move forward, even in the face of adversity, betrayal and changes along the way. This is life, and this happens for us, not to us (I know it does not always feel that way and I certainly know it is hard for us to accept, at least it is for me). You are so much bigger than any of the stuff you deal with—if it does not impact the health of you and your family, you are just fine.

I struggled a little with this, and I fought, let go, accepted and denied all sorts of things, because it sucks when life is hard or people disappoint you or you betray yourself (that can happen because we are human—we can only make things right and/or do the next right thing). I had to learn (and ironically I knew this all along before creating HIPP), a company or brand does not define you, it is not bigger than you and it is not as important as you allow it to be. Meaning, when something outside of you, becomes more important than you or the only thing in your toolbox, that just is a house of cards, that will come tumbling down, at least for the woman that is clear on her vision and her values.

Also, people show you who they are the first time. Remember that, and trust your gut, she is almost always right. The decade of living HIPP, has taught me a lot, it does not change HIPP, it just makes it more meaningful for me. The concept is this….

Create a life you love.

I have done this throughout my life and it has been hard work, a hustle, adversity and some big wins, it has been all of it. As I grow and learned even more about myself, mental health and true joy, I learned to trust myself even more, and follow my spirit even more, and experience my gifts even more, and also learn to love the parts of me that are vulnerable, that need rest, solitude, compassion and grace.

I don’t fit into the work cultures I was part of because I have changed, the culture of hustle, or idolizing a company is just not how I think and look at the world. I feel passionate about brands and communities, but it is not the brand, it is the people, it has always been about the people to me. I could not exactly pinpoint, my love for an industry but also my love for personal growth more, not based on one company but based on one life. I love diversity, and I was missing collaboration with people and entrepreneurs in other areas doing other things be it a local business, or digital on line business. I wanted more, I wanted change and I also realized my worth, even more than I knew it a decade ago…. I have become more clear about what I enjoy, am passionate about and what I am good at. Speaking, writing, teaching, inspiring, loving, leading and helping women and moms to build a life they love with Vision, Values, Goal setting, innovation, creation and building belief in themselves, and building a foundation for success.

At this point in my life, work is not as important to me (gasp)…. There, I said it and that feels so good. A brand is not life to me, my life and my brand is (my personal brand).

Empty Nest is a new phase and I pinch myself because even through hard times, I created a life I love. I don’t boast on this, I say it to inspire you to create a life you love. Will it be all love, no, it does not work that way. It is having a vision, it is getting clear on your values and it is not about what you do, it is WHO you are and how you are being, to yourself and others. Our purpose is beyond something we join, it is in what we create. Ironically, I am pulled back into some work, but that is okay, because I focus on what I love, which is the people, what the business model offers, and leadership, growth, personal development and encouraging and mentoring others in life and business. I am doing that with HIPP as well, and moving forward I merge the two, because they fit each other, at least in my leadership strategy and personal development interests—our mindset is so important, as is our physical and spiritual health. Also a belief in working to live rather than living to work, time leveraging and time to prioritize self care—that is important as is following our passions and heart, and the answer to that is different for everyone and changes over time.

Time is important at every age, and at middle age it is important to reimagine and reinvent how you work, how you live, and how you play. I’ve always loved flexibility as a Mom, and that is why Direct Sales worked so well for me for so many years, I love that about this industry among other things. It is still important, but also for me is freedom, at this point in my life, I value freedom so much. Not only in designing my day, but also in how much work I do, I’ve logged years and years of hard work, and I am healing from that. I will get a touch of guilt of feeling this way sometimes and my husband reminds me I don’t have to carry that weight any more, I carried it my entire life. I am not done, I still have a purpose inside of me, but admittedly, I am doing it part time and on my own terms. When I think about what I love to do and what I am good at and those two circles coming together in the center is this: she speaks, she writes, she inspires, she motivates, she loves. I use my life as my classroom, my professional experience is legit, but it is my heart, and my ability to know to keep going that keeps me in the game. What are in your circles? What do you absolutely love doing, what are you good at and how can you merge those two things. At mid life, to be able to do this on your own terms is important, you may or may not be there, and that is okay. Who and how do you want to be, that is where we begin, it always begins with Vision, let the work or purpose follow suit, but first, go deeper into your life, your internal dialogue, your dreams, your desires and your discontents. This is soulful and spiritual work, and it is no longer about building a career (at 50+) it is about stepping into your 2.0 (and this is not age specific, so this can happen at any age). At mid life, and as you begin Empty Nesting, it is real, it is visceral and it is magical, that is if you do the work, and the work is unique to you. Listen to your wisdom, your guide, your inner genius, she knows the way and she will surprise you, challenge you and lead you down a path that you need to pave.

I am in my own unique place, but feeling very blessed that I get to make these choices. While HIPP is the brand I have a big vision for, I am creating it in a way that is on my own terms which feels limiting but personally for me, it feels aligned. My commitment to myself, my mental & physical health is a priority and will always be that for the rest of my life, many women benefit from this message and hopefully will take some content or inspiration from my story, the stories of others and this brand. Likewise, the spirit, the spiritual growth is both a practice and part of who I am, I want to share more of that and teach others how to create it, which absolutely makes life better. In order to be that in my life and for myself and my family and my circle, I have my HIPP FRAMEWORK which I have customized personally into my formula and foundation—it has been the key to my evolution and growth this past decade, even through the difficult times.

HIPP is a Global Happiness Brand, who says that? I do.

I don’t know what that looks like, and I am not worried about it’s evolution. I don’t want to run a company, I want to lead a positive impact, one that has a legacy far beyond my lifetime—that is why I chose HIPP, it is not Pam Guyer (even thou that brand is about inspiration, motivation, self made and from grit to grace, this lifestyle of HIPP can go on for generations, inspiring us and those we love to focus on wealth (their health, mind/body/spirit and live a purposeful & passionate life). I believe so much in this, this spirit, this vibe, this need for self care, more love, more heart centered leadership, more positive cultures and teamwork, at home and at work (I have been blessed with both and I have had the burden of challenges too).

Unapologetic about blazing a trail that does not exist.

I see it, and it is as if I can’t explain it clearly…. So I just live it, and share it and teach it (daily practices, mindful living, positive thinking along side life happening. I also am branding it, and through this work, I share my light with the world. I am not special, we are all mean’t to shine our light in the world and we also need to know what to do when other try and dim it (which they will). “They” (who ever they are) don’t matter, F——forget them! Have you heard of the “Let Them Theory”, this is by Mel Robbins and it is so powerful. When others do things, say things, make decisions and it is not congruent with you or what you would do, appreciate or desire…. Let Them….. Let them go, let them lie, let them be, let them change, let them leave, let them make you the villain, let them make up their own story, let them follow their heart, let them grow and go their own way, let them be….

Life is a choice and your personal brand is being built by you. Are you a copy cat or are you the real deal? Do you chase or do you create? Are you willing to stand up for yourself and the truth? Are you willing to stand alone? The more we tap into our essence (our light, our love) the more we will experience joy, love, peace and true happiness. Does it remove the fear, sadness, emptiness and pain we feel, no, they are part of us too. Our job is to stay HIPP which is also Heal, Instinct, Prayerful, Patient—it has several layers as you go and as you grow. There is no right or wrong here, there is just compassion, grace, dignity, love and a second chance, we all deserve a second chance, including giving it to ourselves. Each day is a new day, a new beginning, an opportunity to choose happy, an opportunity to deflect toxic and to create a space for you to thrive and come alive, in your home, possibly in your work or passion projects, community, family and circles.

It occurred to me recently when I some fear around being happy (which is fair, we are not always happy nor should we be). Happiness is not a bad word, bad thing and should not be something we are fearful of (even thou we are sometimes, that is okay). It is a choice. I believe people that feel this, just have spent more of their life with negative thinking, pain, abandonment of self or others and what ever conditioning or people they were exposed to. Not their fault but I want to speak up and say, the person preaching to you, do you want her life? Is she the end all and be all? Perhaps, just maybe she is doing the best she can, perhaps she does not know what she does not know, and perhaps, she does not know the the level of happiness and true joy and spirit someone can truly live (it is magical, and I am here to tell you I know it, I love it, I feel it, and I go back to it). Does that mean we are fearless and that we don’t get sad, have fear or self doubt? No, of course we do, we are human. However, we are miracles too. So don’t you dare go trying to dull down your spirit or think u need to be plain vanilla, no, no, no, no, hell, nooooo!

Get those “jimmies” girl, you get those jimmies and you sprinkle them on top—chocolate, rainbow, all the types, we love them all! When I was a little girl we could not afford to get the jimmies on our ice cream cone most of the time, I swear to God (but at least we got the ice cream cone). This is not a “poor me” story, I had a lot of love in my life, but also I wanted the jimmies, and I built a life I can have all the jimmies I want, in fact, I could buy the ice cream stand if I really wanted, but I don’t, because it’s not about the ice cream cone, it is about the acceptance of that was then and this is now. I was blessed then and I am blessed now, grateful for both experiences as the shape who I am today. Attitude is a choice, and attitude, belief and mindset is everything, it really is. So when someone says, beware….. I want to look at them and think, do you want their life, not what they have, do you want their effervescence and spirit…. Look for the thought leaders that are joyful, powerful, authentic and believe in more. I’d rather be looking at life through rose colored glasses than criticizing and dissecting it under a microscope. We are whole humans, we are built with darkness and light, we have seasons or days of darkness and light, it is just a fact. Find your light, let it flicker, don’t dim it, let it shine bright. Not only do you need your light to show you the way, the people around you need your light too. It is not bad or wrong or too bright, it is meant to shine and you are meant to shine. We shine for each other, and our light might help someone get through their darkness. HIPP does not focus on our problems, it focuses on our gifts, abundance, blessings and shows compassion and grace in our hard times too. XO

I am learning how to be and not do. I’ve been learning this for a while but more than ever before. It is weird and hard for me, I know how to rest, I’ve got that down nicely, and I love it. I just don’t know how to be patient, as my husband shared with me about me, I am wired to work. The hustle days are over and I am never going back—this stage of life, my mental health, and worthiness come first, and I perform for no one. I am writing this because you need to hear this. Your story may not be mine, but you might need the reminder to stop choosing and looking outside of you, and choose you. The magic is there, it will always be there, it won’t leave you, it just might need to be accessed over and over because life happens.

You are the power my Darling Girl, the Power is you!