God made us differently and fitted us with gifts and abilities that are special to each person; though, we have organs which are similar in functions. Through self-branding, you will be able to find your area of uniqueness, which ultimately stands you out. There are no two people alike in the world, just like there are no two finger prints alike. This variety or difference is intended to add spice to life and to reserve a distinguishing value for everyone. However, your distinguishing value is your unique selling point (USP) and everyone has got it!
Branding is a marketing concept that identifies products and their sources and also differentiates them from other products. In much the same way, we ought to differentiate and distinguish ourselves and not to compete with others. You become distinguished when you identify your uniqueness, and your uniqueness in terms of ability or gifting gives you an edge. This is called unique selling preposition; the single most distinguishing attribute of a product.
Sadly however, I hear people make comments that reveal that they measure their weaknesses against other people else’s strength. The right thing to do is to appreciate other people else’s strength which God has given to them and then be equally able to glow about your own unique area of strength. If, for instance, you don’t do great in soccer and you do great in music then you can capitalize on music. Obvious temptation is that you may want to keep music aside to concentrate on soccer. But this is a counterproductive approach because nobody ever performs at superlative level from a position of weakness, so it is safer and wiser that you concentrate on your strength.
The bible tells us the story of twelve spies who were sent out by Moses to spy the Promised Land, but they failed to distinguish themselves; they failed to consider their strength in God. Instead, they put their giant enemies in perspective and saw themselves as mere weaklings and slaves. These folks accepted defeat because they lacked an understanding of branding; their assessment was wrong. Thanks to God that two fellows (Joshua & Caleb) understood the branding concept, and they distinguished themselves. They did not take the enemies' strength into account, but established a clean point of difference by looking at their own strength of uniqueness which was in God (Numbers 13.25 - 33).
Can you imagine that at another occasion they still did not learn their lesson? (1 Samuel 17.1-58). Here again, the Israelites were challenged to a battle by the Philistines. The philistines had a giant who boasted of his power, and again, the Israelite army became frightened. Rather than figuring out an idea, they wrongly spent the time considering the imposing physique of the giant. What a terrible thing to do? This ill standard of measuring strength affected their confidence in God and they became afraid.
Thank God again that while they were terrified, there was the daring David who understood his USP and was soon offended by the insults of this giant, Goliath. By applying the concept of branding, David began to take into account the distinguishing points which differentiated him from the giant, which was his faith in God, and not too long David dropped the giant dead through the Help of God, by an effortless use of a sling and a smooth stone. (1 Samuel 17.1-58).
