As an actor knowing your type (or brand) is a pretty big deal. “Typing” is another way of saying – what kind of box do you fit in. The thing about “typing” (branding) is that it is another person’s perspective of you, rather than who you really are.
In reading Allison Graham’s From Business Cards to Business Relationship, she references a wonderful definition of branding by Marty Neumeier: “A brand is a person’s gut feeling about a product, service, or company. It’s not what you it is –it’s what they say it is. The best you can do is influence it.”
I find the most successful and influential individuals embrace their real selves, their true selves, and have an understanding that they fit in many different boxes not just one, thus being a multi-faceted human being. These individuals know, embrace, and own their stories.
Think about someone you admire. What do you like about them? Are they bold? Daring? Opinionated? Confident? Compassionate? Whatever it is, they are being themselves, and we are seeing one of their facets in a given moment.
I like to give examples – Ms. Oprah Winfrey. Some people may only know her as a talk show host. She is and does much more than that. She has opened schools is in African to further educate underprivileged young women. She is an actress, a producer, a friend, a sister – the list going on. Not only that Ms. Oprah has shared difficult situations from her past, not allowing anyone else to tell her story for her.
That is what I admire the most about Ms. O.
You may question: Well why do we only seem to see one side of these “successful” people? I have realized the way information is distributed whether through news and/or other media outlets has a lot do with one-sided imaging of a person. Because of the fact their job is to tell a story to get and maintain a viewership that will in turn buy products when advertised. That’s a whole other topic.
God made In closing, Own your own story; take back the Power of You.
-Amanda
Remember to share and pass it on. TTFN