The House that Genius Built

I was about 4 feet tall. My Dad had built us a red and white chipboard house that would sit on the patio for us to play in. It was basically a small-scale prefab house with clips and magnets that held the walls and roof together, so he could easily store it away. Pure genius.

Of course I had “tea parties” in there. We even hooked up Hot Wheels tracks to zip cars through the window. The cat would hang out too, when it didn’t get chased by Hot Wheels cars. It was all fun and games. Then we outgrew the house and grew up, or so it seemed…

Some people forget they can have fun and get work done at the same time. They carry on with their lives with this default setting, whilst others wake up and realize both are possible. Such people deliberately choose to “reinvent” themselves, both personally and professionally. You might relate to this as “re-branding”.

Branding is not just a logo or the car we drive, it’s the story we tell the world about what we do, how we do it, and WHY we do it. Branding is the outside story that others see, hear, feel and engage with about us.

Then there’s the story we tell ourselves, which is based on our beliefs and affects anything we create (relationships, business, finances, well being).

There can be a difference between the story you tell yourself, and the story you tell the world.

Imagine a house…

Your life is the house itself… the pretty decor, the gorgeous landscaping, the tasteful furniture. The marketing collaterals, the website, the team, the office space. The friends, the toys, the relationships.
This is the story the world sees.

You are the one living inside the house… with thoughts, feelings, and beliefs about your dreams and abilities. These create the foundation that the house sits on.
This is the story you tell yourself.

What goes on inside your house?

Do you hide away in a corner and stifle yourself? Or do you breathe fun into your life while your Genius shows up for the world?

A company (or relationship) is only as strong and sustainable as its emotional foundations, which drive everything.

What is your story behind the story? (tweet this)

I hope you’re taking care of your foundations, because life is supposed to be fun.

Karin

PS: the niki owl house you see above was made about 15 years ago for my dear friend and fellow Genius, Brennan Smith.