WHAT THE HECK IS MY BRAND??? BY SAVANNAH BATES

A couple of weeks ago a few of my closest friends and I were having an argument. While we were fighting, one of them said to me, “I thought you wouldn’t care because you’re the most laid back person I know.” Other friends chimed in to say that, “they knew I was the kind of person who wouldn’t care because I don’t really care about anything.” I was taken aback. These are not words I would use to describe myself, not even close. And these are the people who are closest to me?

Last night I was at my neighbor’s house for a small get together. After talking for an hour or so, one of the neighbors I had met for the first time that night said, “you are very blunt and honest and I can really appreciate that about you.” I immediately thought of how my friends had previously described me. And this man had only known me for an hour…

Then I reflected. Do my friends not know the real me? Or do I portray myself as someone I am not? I have thought long and hard about these questions.

Self-realization throughout this semester has been a main focus of mine. As the year goes on, I find myself thinking more, doing more, and acting more like the person I truly am. I want to build a strong brand for myself, and by doing that I know I have to start living my brand in every aspect of life.

So are you living your brand?