You are more than just your gift
“Can the movie Encanto learn us something about personal branding?"

I love Disney movies. They give me a sense of nostalgia to my childhood. But in fact everyone of any age can enjoy and learn from them. For kids, it is mostly a form of entertainment (whilst teaching them subconsciously some life lessons). For adults, the Disney movies are full of wisdom and an inspiration for our life and career. We can uncover the different layers behind each storyline.

So when I was watching with my daughter Lilly for the nth time (I lost count) the movie Encanto I was ready to share with you the links with personal branding I unraveled.

• You're more than just your gift

Every member of the family Madrigal has a special gift, ranging from being extremely strong over healing people with a meal to hearing even a pin drop. The family matriarch, Abuela Alma, judges the family by their special abilities and how they can use them to be of service. Unfortunately, protagonist Mirabel possesses at first sight no special skill that could contribute to the welfare of the community.

But we learn that the miracle is not some magic that you’ve got. The miracle is you, not some gift… You are not defined by your abilities. You are more than your gift. Your superpowers might change (if they don’t give you pleasure anymore), but what won’t change is you and your personality. That is why I never start a personal branding journey with my clients with their strengths and expertise as differentiators. For me it all starts with your unique personality that we will uncover together. (Have a look at my approach HERE.)

• Don't compare yourself to others, but know how the others see you

The miracle is you. Just like Mirabel, you are special in your own way. Don’t let comparing yourself to others get in your way. It is all of you that makes you unique. And once you have a view on that, you can close your journey of self-discovery.

Mirabel never got a special (visible) power. She is fundamentally different from the family, but she wants to be like them. Don’t do that. Always stay different…

You mustn’t compare yourself to others, but you do need to see yourself every now and then through the eyes of others. You should know how you fascinate people, how you have an impact on other people, how they see and appreciate you,… As a Fascinate® Certified Advisor I get every time goosebumps when I can hold up a mirror to my clients to show how they are inspiring and impactful, just by staying their unique self…

Or like they sing it in the movie: We see how brave you’ve been. Now see yourself in turn. You’re the real gift…

• Don't aim for perfection

As said, you don’t need to compare yourself. You don’t need to be better than other people. You don’t have to be perfect. Perfection is overrated. If you aim for perfection, you won’t be able to explore your identity fully.

Remember my point of view that talents are your untapped superpowers? Only when you invest in your talents AND when they are giving you pleasure, then you can talk about superpowers. It is clear that character Isabela, the perfect golden child, didn’t find pleasure at all in her gift. She only became much happier when she learned to embrace imperfection: I’m tired of perfect. I want real.

See the things as they are and not how they ideally in your mind are supposed to be. Just be you.

• Personal branding is about empathy, communication and authenticity

In the end it weren’t the superpowers that saved everyone. It were Mirabel’s true gifts: her empathy, her powerful communication and her authenticity. Her unique ability was to get everyone to reveal their true selves to her.

Just like Mirabel I want to reveal your true self and your highest distinct value. My approach allows me to open the door for a conversation, in all authenticity and sincerity. With personal branding, self-awareness is so important. Build yourself on the proper foundation: you and your personality. Because without it, it will all come crumbling down, just like the magical house in Encanto came down.

My tip for you: Schedule a movie night, watch Encanto and take note of all the valuable lessons you learn related to personal branding. Abre los ojos, open your eyes. What do you see (in the mirror or in the case of Encanto in the door knob)? I see me, all of me… And that is my wish for you…

Wouldn't it be great if you could discover that you are more than just your gift?

I can show you how the world sees you with my Your Personal Brand kickstart with Fascinate® program (Available in Nederlands and English!). Book a FREE discovery call to connect and see if this program is something for you...