Have you ever noticed that in scary movies, it’s never really about the house, but it’s about the spirit that never left? That old soul, stuck in limbo, wandering the halls because it hasn’t made peace with the past. Well, your personal brand can also be haunted.
And the creepy part? The ghost might actually be you or at least a version of you that should’ve been laid to rest a long time ago.
You’ve been working hard to reinvent yourself. You’ve created a brand you’re proud of. You’re ready to show the world the new you. But then, those old habits come creeping back in, rattling their chains and whispering, “Remember me?”
You’ve done the work. You’ve planned your personal brand, and even showed up on social media like the bold, brilliant you that you want the world to see. But then, out of nowhere… BOO! That old version of yourself sneaks in through the back door and messes it all up.
Maybe it’s the way you downplay your ideas in meetings. Or how you fall back into the habit of people-pleasing when you promised yourself you’d start setting boundaries. Or that sarcastic edge in your voice that only shows up when you’re nervous or feeling a little too vulnerable.
You thought you buried those traits, right? But they have a way of crawling out of the grave when the pressure’s on or when your confidence takes a hit.
Old Haunts
That’s the spooky thing about old habits: they don’t knock at the door; they just show up.
And before you know it, you’re back to reacting, retreating, or apologizing for taking up space. It’s like your old self is holding the mic, and your current self is backstage, wondering what happened.
Sound familiar?
Those sneaky old behaviors are like ghosts from your past brand, and if you don’t confront them, they’ll keep showing up, rewriting your brand story when you’re not looking.
There are three big specters that love to hang out in our professional lives. Recognize any of these?
The Ghost of Default Settings
This is the you that shows up when you’re not being intentional. It’s the procrastinator, the overexplainer, the person who says “yes” to everything, even when you mean “no.”
You don’t want to disappoint, but by not setting boundaries, you end up disappointing yourself. And the people who thought you were the reliable one? They start to second-guess.
The Phantom Identity
This one’s tricky because it feels like you. It’s the role you used to play that you haven’t quite outgrown: the people-pleaser, the comic relief, the fixer, the one who always picks up the slack.
But if your goals have changed and you’re still clinging to the same behaviors, you’re playing a part in someone else’s story—not writing your own.
The Self-Sabotage Spirit
You’ve probably met this one. They whisper things like: “You’re not really leadership material” or “Don’t ask for that promotion—you’re lucky to even be here.”
They feed on fear and thrive in silence. And worst of all? They sound just like you.
If any of this is hitting a little too close to home, don’t worry, you’re not doomed to wander the halls of your career like a ghost in a dusty blazer.
Reclaim Your Personal Brand
You can send those ghosts packing. Here’s how:
- Awareness is your flashlight. Start paying attention to the habits, behaviors, and thought patterns that feel out of sync with who you want to be. Is that reaction truly yours? Or is it just muscle memory?
- Create a new story. Every great personal brand is built on a story. So write yours. Out loud. On paper. To a friend. And make sure the star is the you you’re becoming—not the you who used to fill the break room with sarcasm or shrink away from opportunities.
- Stay vigilant to old comforts. Sometimes we hang on to old habits because they once worked. Maybe being a perfectionist got you praised. Maybe playing small kept you safe. But those “treats”? They’re tricks now. Thank them for their service, then move on.
- Set some ghost traps (boundaries). Your calendar. Your email tone. Your inner monologue. Set clear boundaries for how you want to show up, and don’t be afraid to call yourself out when you slip. Gentle correction is better than letting the ghost drive the car.
- Who you gonna call? (Bonus points if you remember that movie?) Whether it’s a coach, a mentor, or that brutally honest friend who will tell you when your old self is showing, build a support system that keeps your new personal brand on track.
You Are Not Your Worst Habit
You are not your past mistakes. You are not that one regrettable outburst in the boardroom.
You’re a work in progress. And every day, you get to choose whether you’re building something new or living in the ruins of what used to be.
So, as the air turns crisp and the shadows stretch a little longer, ask yourself:
“Am I letting the ghost of who I used to be haunt the brand I’m building now?”
If the answer gives you chills—it’s time.
Time to grab your metaphorical sage stick. Time to slam the door on the past.
You’re not stuck. You’re not spooky. And you are definitely not here to be haunted by habits that don’t serve you anymore.
So exorcise the doubt. Lay those outdated behaviors to rest. And stop giving the ghost of your old self top billing in your brand.
This season, show up alive, aligned, and absolutely unapologetic—no costume, no mask, just the real you. You’re not haunted, you are writing your own legend.