"Somebody doesn't like you? Good!"

That sounds crazy, doesn't it? But Gail Blanke's excellent article in this month's Real Simple magazine proves the point!

Here is a great excerpt:

"No one ever made an impact on the world without standing out from the crowd. So embrace your unique qualities. They're what make you unforgettable.

Most of us are afraid to be controversial, or even to be too intensely who we are. We're like lemonade with too much water in it and too few lemons. We dilute our "flavor" so we won't offend anyone. And, in the process, we give away our power, the essence of who we are that makes us unique and unforgettable.

Truth is, the world belongs not to the one who fits in but to the one that stands out. In music, art, architecture, entertainment, literature, politics, and business, it's the maverick, the one who gets 'carried away,' who wins the day."

Don't try to be all things to all people. Be one thing -- unabashedly yourself!

In my opinion, this truth is the cornerstone of good branding!

To read more of Gail's insights, check out her monthly Column.