Hair cuts + Rebranding
Photo my Ian Somerhader via Unsplash.
I think I need to do something different with my hair, I think to myself for the umpteenth time this year. It’s a common thought for me when navigating different stages of my life. A drastic change in hairstyle typically signals a drastic change in life, as has been displayed by women in movies and shows for years.
Just went through a bad breakup? Haircut.
Starting a new spiritual journey? Haircut.
Graduated college? Haircut.
Went through a life-altering experience? Girl, we’re getting a haircut.
Haircuts are a form of a personal, stylized rebrand. They are our way of telling the world, “this is a newer version of me. I am evolving.” It’s a cyclical trend to rebrand, renew, and redecorate, whether it’s subtle or drastic, personal or corporate. Growing up, my mother liked to redecorate our house to match the change in seasons. I loved decorating with her. When autumn made its colorful entrance in New England, we’d deck out or house with new paintings, change the rugs and shower curtains in the bathroom, and switch out the mantels in the kitchen among many other things. Even though the seasons will always change on their own, it never felt official until our home aesthetics matched the seasonal rebrand.
I believe the same concept applies to personal rebranding, as the changes you make internally are just as important (if not more) than the changes you make externally. I’ve always heard the phrase “your reputation precedes you,” consistently from my parents, and I never truly understood it until I started my college years. Having solid core values and establishing trustworthy relationships both personally and professionally is vital to my success in my career.
Growing and establishing into my updated college-identity was both challenging and intriguing. I had a wider pool of options and potential connections, and a seemingly unlimited amount of pathways to choose from in regards to what I wanted to invest in.
Now, being in my last semester of college and looking forward to graduation in less than three months, I’ve shortened the personal/professional rebrand process to a short list of 3 things:
Focus on the area that puts you in the best light: This one took me forever to figure out, but learning to build on my strengths has been so valuable. Find the things you’re good at and make yourself better. Keep going until you master it.
Expand your network: Every single connection you make in school is important, especially because several of them could end up connecting you with job opportunities. The few times I’ve stepped out of my shell and gone to different social events has been enriching both personally and professionally. You never know when you could meet someone who’ll connect you with an amazing opportunity.
Focus on where you want to go: This is one I’m still working on. What are your core values and beliefs and what do they propel you to do? What are things you’ve been involved in that fill you with purpose? And where will your talents and abilities have the most impact?