We’ve all heard it:
Get clarity on this. Get clarity on that.
“Once you have clarity, everything else will flow.”
“Get visible, get branded, and get moving.”
And yet… here you are.
You do have clarity. Or at least enough to take the next step…right?
You are building your brand. Or at least enough that some people recognize you…right?
But something’s still holding you back…right?
That bold, confident move you’ve been circling around, still feels…out there.
You’ve probably had some thoughts like:
- I'm doing what they’re saying, but this still doesn’t feel like me.
- Why is this so hard…still?
- I literally feel disconnected from myself when I try to do this.
- Is this imposter syndrome, or….?
Let’s explore what the real issue might be.
Let’s walk through this.
💡 If you’ve got clarity in your professional life area…that’s awesome! Just know that…
Clarity is a Step…Not the Whole Walk
If you know anything about me, you know this: Clarity is one of the things I’m all about.
People hire me to help them with clarity. They come to me for insight, wisdom, and strategy…whether they're feeling stuck, or they want to prevent it. So, yes…clarity is a beautiful and powerful thing. A must-have. ✔
- It gives structure to vision.
- It brings direction to decision-making.
- It keeps you from wandering off course.
But clarity isn’t the whole picture. It’s not the end goal.
It’s just the beginning. 🚦 And what you have clarity around…is just as important.
So, when it comes to your professional life area, it’s not enough to just know where you’re going…you have to know who is going there.
Let me say it plainly:
Clarity without identity turns into performance…fast.
You’ll take steps that look good, feel strategic, maybe even get some things DONE, that's bringing in the cash. Yay! 👏🏽
But deep down you're wondering…where is the joy? Something will still feel off.
- Maybe: You’ll create your brand, or public image…but you might not BE yourself.
- Maybe: That’s the space where burnout, resistance, and disconnection creep in.
- Maybe: That’s the time when it feels like…performance.
Because the steps you take…and the image you present…aren’t rooted in who you actually are.
And that’s why alignment matters. Because alignment is where boldness and confidence come from. It feels right.
Whether it’s brand identity, or brand image. Whether it’s public presence, or public image.
Alignment with who you are…is critical.
What’s Actually Holding You Back Professionally?
If you’ve been circling a decision, shrinking your voice, or avoiding your next move in your business or career:
- It might be fear of failure.
- It might even be fear of success. (Yes, that’s a real thing.)
- It might be that you’re not fully anchored in your identity…or not walking in alignment with it as you lead. And THAT can cause many other negative feelings and outcomes.
Here’s what that might look like:
- You’ve created the offer—but haven’t launched it.
- You’ve mapped out the content—but haven’t posted it.
- You’ve had the conversation—but still can’t say yes (or no).
- You got the gig—but you’re not feelin’ it.
- You’re showing up—but you’re holding back.
Anything sound familiar?
These are boldness and confidence blocks in your profession.
Chances are…you’ve disconnected your actions from your identity. OUCH!
- You’re walking in someone else’s shoes.
- You’re applying the guru’s how-to… but it doesn’t fit YOU.
- Maybe that’s why you keep signing up for the same programs; trainings, or strategies…over and over…without the results that actually feel fulfilling or sustainable. 🤔
Check your identity alignment!
Branding vs. Identity: What You Really Need to Know
I’m not a branding expert…but I do know this:
- Branding is how you present yourself to the world, and how they remember you. (Simplified version.)
- Identity is who you are when no one’s watching, and how you show up when they are. (Simplified version.)
Let’s break it down further:
- Branding asks: How do I want to be seen? How do I want people to feel?
- Identity asks: Who was I created to BE? How can I BE that in my business?
- Boldness asks: Am I willing to walk like that’s true…in all things?
Here’s what I know to be true:
- You can build a beautiful brand, present an awesome image…and still feel disconnected.
- You can have polished messaging, a stunning website, and a full-blown content plan…and still not move forward with confidence or joy.
You can have identity without branding. But you canNOT have branding without identity. Well...not the best branding.
Because branding is the expression.
Identity is the foundation.
Clarity is a step. Sometimes…the first one, because clarity on your identity is key.
When you build from brand alone, you risk burnout. Performance creeps in. It’s exhausting.
When you build from identity, you create alignment. Boldness flows. It’s natural.
So many entrepreneurs…especially those called to deep, purpose-driven work…get stuck trying to walk boldly in someone else’s shoes, with someone else’s stride.
And when that happens:
- Their strategy isn’t in sync with their makeup.
- Their rhythms aren’t rooted in their design.
- Their offers may sell…but they don’t bring fulfillment.
Eventually…they feel lost. Joy disappears. And when that happens, momentum follows the same route.
That’s why I’m here. Because I’m all about clarity, alignment, and JOY. And that comes from…your identity. It’s what we discover together.
And I know that confidence and joy return when you’re fully BEing YOU…in your work, with your rhythm, for your next bold move…forward. 🙌🏽
Are you seeing the common thread here?
🚶🏽♀️ Momentum Moves: Walking Boldly Professionally
Here's how to begin shifting from shrinking to bold…today:
If you’re going for clarity… include your full identity.
Don’t just ask what you want to do. Ask who you were created to be, and build from there. THAT’s clarity
Rehearse your identity daily.
Yep. Practice. Not your title. Not your to-do list. Your identity.
Write it. Say it out loud. Anchor your decisions in it.
Here’s a simple frame to work from. This isn’t about niching…okay? Please don’t put that in here. 🙄
This is about who you were called to BE. It's not fluffy. It's simple.
“I am ____. I am called to ____. I do this for the sake of ____.”
Here’s mine from my top talent/strength:
- "I am strategic. I’m called to help others walk the steps through life simply. I do this for the sake of JOY."
(That's just for one of my top 5 talents/strengths. I do the same for other pieces of my identity, too.)
When I got clarity around who I am, and whose I am…THEN I was able to walk boldly, confidently, and from purpose…even in my business.
When you walk in who you are, boldness gets a lot less intimidating, and there’s SO much more JOY. 🙌🏽
Name the Bold Move
Don’t stay vague. Be honest.
What is the next step you know you need to take, but have been avoiding?
Write it down. Pray over it. Own it.
Pray Through the Hesitation
Boldness isn’t about force.
It’s about faith in motion.
If you're on a faith walk...ask God to show you where you’re hesitating… and where He’s already made the way clear.
Invite the Holy Spirit into your business decisions…and walk with Him through it.
Invite the Holy Spirit into your business decisions…and walk with Him through it.
Take the Next Step.
What would that look like for you?
Wherever you are on your professional journey…it’s time to walk. Take the next step. And…keep walking!
Final Word: Lead Like You Know Who You Are
You don’t need more branding. You need more BEing…first.
Yes, branding is important. It has its place. But it must reflect who you are! SURELY you want to be seen and known for who you truly are, right?
Not the thing. The result of the thing. Because…you did it the way you were created to do it.
Walking boldly in business doesn’t start with visibility, design, or image.
It starts with identity. Who you are, and whose you are…and then moves with clarity and trust, in alignment.
Then, when it IS time for branding…
There’s no guessing. No pretending. No pressure to “sound right.”
There’s no guessing. No pretending. No pressure to “sound right.”
When it IS time for public image…
There’s no striving. No pretending. No pressure to “do it right.”
There’s no striving. No pretending. No pressure to “do it right.”
It will look and feel…just like you. YOU…will show up.
NOTE: I'm not talking about personal branding specifically. I'm talking about branding in general. All branding should come from you.
So, if you’ve been waiting in clarity-mode for a while…for the “perfect” moment…let this be your reminder:
Sometimes stuck means…you’re shrinking. You’re shrinking, because you’re out of alignment.
I invite you to lead from who you truly are. Boldness and branding will follow.
So, if you want your business life to feel more aligned, energized, and effective...don’t work harder on your brand and image:
- Get clarity and take ownership of who you are.
- Show up as you.
- BE you in the DOing.
- Be grateful for your work...in progress. 😉
Ready to brand or rebrand? Let’s make sure it comes from and supports who you are.
I SO want this for you.
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I'll meet you on the bridge!
Deni
I believe:
- you were uniquely created by God
- your identity is key to everything you do in life
- you are here to make an impact...on purpose
- your impact has a ripple impact forward
- life and all of it's transitions, are best viewed from a bridge perspective
- life is better when you orchestrate it, vs trying to balance it
- you can live a healthy, whole life
- you can live a JOY-filled life
- I'm here to help
If you love this information, please leave a comment. 👏🏽🙌🏽
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