Hi Reader,
If you’re like me, you’re at the point in the month (year?) where all the vision and bravery of your plans for the year are starting to crash into reality.
Not just “oh shoot it’s Friday and I still didn’t get to the thing” reality.
But also “ugh this is scary and uncomfortable and can I really do this?” reality.
With my clients, this usually looks something like:
2026 vision:
🎯 Grow my authority
🎯 Build a premium offering and experience
🎯 Build freedom to focus on my zone of genius
🎯 Step into the next level of growth / visibility in my business
🎯 Create a brand that looks / feels / sounds like me
🎯 Inspire change or impact through a specific project, service, initiative, etc.
Then there’s the day-to-day stuff that gets in the way:
😑 Overestimating how much you can actually get done (I am soooo guilty of this — Monday Kristen is Thursday Kristen’s worst enemy. She’s so optimistic and it’s the worst.)
😑 Emergencies and other dumpster fires that need handling
😑 Energy / time / project / people management going sideways
And there are the deeper fears that hold us back from taking action.
🥴 What if this takes me in the wrong direction?
🥴 Deciding to stand out / be different is one thing… but what if I’m too “out there”, or I turn people off or alienate them?
🥴 What if I hire the wrong people to help me?
🥴 Can I really do this?
🥴 Am I really ready?
(QUICK ASIDE: At first I was going to joke and call that last list gremlins. But actually they’re not. They point to potential risks, and you should have solid answers to your questions before you make any big decision. Don’t let them drive the bus, but listen to what they’re telling you.)
If any of these are starting to slow you down or get in the way, as your friendly neighbourhood strategist I wanted to share a couple quick things to consider when you encounter a boulder in your path.
1️⃣ Try to figure out whether this is a tactical problem (the day-to-day stuff) or a strategy / mindset problem (deeper fears and questions).
Finding a solution to a day-to-day management issue is very different from making a big strategic decision or re-evaluating your mindset. Just knowing which kind of problem you’re dealing with can be a big help in figuring out how to handle it.
2️⃣ Do a quick reality check with yourself:
- When you set these goals, did you also build out a plan for how to get there?
It’s OKAY if the answer is no! And good news: this is your next step. A plan will help you feel better.
- Is your plan doable now that you’re back in the trenches? Does it need adjusting?
Adjusting is also okay. As the old military saying goes, no plan survives first contact with the enemy 😉. Again, good news: this is your next step.
- Are your priorities in conflict?
Sometimes we want to do all the things or too many priorities dilute our focus. You may find that making some more decisions about what to focus on now and what can wait will make a difference.
3️⃣ Remember that branding is about identity — which naturally makes it both exciting and scary. (And time-consuming.)
Your brand gets to the heart of who you are and how you show up in the world. Setting, refining, and changing that direction can feel wildly liberating and exciting… but also nerve-wracking.
Give yourself time to work through the process thoroughly and thoughtfully. Branding projects are not the kind of thing you can do off the side of your desk.
As you think about your year and when you want to get this work done, think about the seasons where you’ll have space to dig into the important questions and make key decisions.
It should feel exciting and scary at the same time — but not overwhelming. If you’re veering into overwhelming territory, it’s time to adjust or bring in help.
One last thing to keep in mind: if this is a “deeper fears” issue, consider tapping into outside resources for perspective.
I say this all the time to my clients: You can’t read the label from inside the bottle. Getting some outside perspective from a trusted advisor who has some distance can be so helpful in articulating the real issues and how to tackle them.
This can be a coach or a fellow business owner who gets where you’re at and can provide constructive advice.
Or if you need branding perspective specifically, I’d love to help. Book a 1:1 strategy session with me to make a plan or figure out the answers to some of your questions.
That’s all for this week. Next week I’ll come back to you with more insight on how to know if you’re really ready to start a branding project, but for now I’d love to hear — what are your branding and messaging goals for 2026? How are they going so far?
Have a great weekend,
Kristen
P.S. A little insider heads-up — next month I’ll be launching a free monthly community call where we’ll check in on your brand building practice and chat about specific topics. I’ll share sign-up info soon but tap this link for now if you’re interested in joining and I’ll make sure you get the info when it’s ready.
Need 1:1 support? Here are a few ways we can work together:
Get clear: Download the free Brand Alignment Scorecard to see what's working in your brand, what isn't, and where to focus next.
Get focused: Book a Brand Strategy Session to work through a specific branding challenge or question.
Get stuff done: A Brand Retreat Day gives us focused time to tackle your biggest brand priority — messaging, positioning, creative direction, or whatever will move the needle most.
Go deep: The Brand Blueprint is my signature process for established service providers who need a comprehensive brand strategy that positions them for their next stage of growth.