The world typically wants to put us in professional boxes. Dancer. Choreographer. Business owner. Creative. But what if we could break free from these limiting labels and embrace all aspects of who we are? As a former professional dancer turned strategist, I've learned that our most fulfilling path often lies beyond the boundaries others set for us (or the ones we set for ourselves).
In a recent conversation on Label Free Podcast, host Deanna Radulescu and I explored what it truly means to live without labels. Here's your guide to embracing a label-free life in the new year, filled with purpose, authenticity, and endless possibilities.
1. Embrace All Your Hyphens
"Conventional business teaching tells us to pick one lane and then just talk about that," I shared — but that approach doesn't work for everyone. Instead of forcing yourself into a single category, celebrate your diverse interests and experiences. Whether you're a dancer-teacher-entrepreneur or an artist-consultant-writer, your varied background is your superpower.
2. Say Yes to the Unexpected
"Saying yes to almost everything opens up your mind and your spirit and your soul to so much more.” Such wise words from Radulescu. While you don't need to say yes to everything, being open to new experiences can lead to unexpected opportunities and connections. Those seemingly random experiences become part of your unique story and help you relate to more people in meaningful ways.
3. Build Resilience Through Rejection
One of the most valuable lessons from my dance career was learning to handle rejection. "The rejection alone, it built a resilience in me that I don't think I would have gotten any other way," I said. Whether you're auditioning for roles, pitching clients, or pursuing new opportunities, remember that each "no" is building your resilience muscle.
4. Focus on Service, Not Labels
Instead of getting caught up in titles or roles, concentrate on how you serve others. Ask yourself: What causes matter to you? How do your various skills and experiences contribute to your larger mission? This perspective helps unite your different pursuits under a common purpose.
5. Challenge Your Comfort Zone
Growth often happens when we push beyond our fears. As I learned from my own experience going live on LinkedIn for the first time, stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to meaningful connections and opportunities. You’ll be surprised by who resonates with your authentic story.
6. Remember: You Can, Period
If there's one thing to take into the new year, it's this simple but powerful truth: you can, period. As I emphasized in the episode, "All you have to do is give yourself permission to do it, and yes, it'll be a little scary... But the other side of that is just so rewarding."
Don't wait until you regret the things you didn't do. Whether it's quitting your 9-5 to work independently, starting a new creative side hustle, or simply trying something that scares you a little – give yourself permission to explore, evolve, and expand beyond any label that feels too small for your dreams.
Because the beauty of living label-free is that you get to write your own story. So make this the year you embrace all the wonderful contradictions and combinations that make you uniquely you. Your diverse background isn't a liability – it’s your greatest asset in creating a career and life that truly fulfills you.
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