As the year winds down, most of us focus on thanking the people around us—mentors, colleagues, friends, and communities. What often gets left out is acknowledging ourselves. And when it comes to personal branding, that omission matters.In this episode of Branding Room Only, I break down why recognizing your own growth, resilience, and impact is one of the most strategic things you can do for your brand. I share the milestones and challenges that defined my year, the quieter wins that never make social media, and the mindset shifts that helped me stay grounded while building momentum.You’ll also get the reflection questions I use with myself and my clients, plus a reminder about a simple tool that captures the evidence of your evolution so you can quiet your inner critic and step into the next year with clarity.Self-gratitude isn’t ego. It’s truth. It’s how you honor the fact that you kept going, even when things were hard, and how you understand the story your brand is actually telling. Take a moment, pause, breathe, and give yourself credit for the work you’ve done and the progress you’ve earned.1:15 – How self-gratitude strengthens your personal brand2:19 – Reflection on my year and the quieter wins that shaped my growth and resilience4:59 – Questions to uncover your overlooked moments of pride and progress5:56 – Reminder of a practical tool to gather the evidence of your evolution8:00 – Gratitude as a strategic foundation for clarity in goal-setting for the year aheadMentioned In Self-Gratitude: The Personal Brand Strategy That Starts With YouPaula's Playbook: Engage Your Hustle™ – Conference EditionKeeping It 100: How 100 Episodes Expanded My Personal Brand, My Reach, and My VoiceHow Sharing Your Wins Strengthens Your Personal BrandCurated Resources from PaulaPGE December Free Webinar - Gratitude Starts Within: Celebrating Your Personal Brand MilestonesPGE January Free Webinar -  2026 Annual Intention and Goal Setting WebinarPersonal Branding Strategy SessionsCall to ActionFollow & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, leave a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform! Want more ways to grow your personal brand? Make sure you’re signed up for my upcoming webinars and workshops.Conferences are an investment—make sure you maximize yours. My new Engage Your Hustle™ Conference Playbook gives you the strategies to prepare, stand out, and follow up with impact. Get your copy today.Sponsor for this episodePGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and personal branding, we offer keynotes, custom programming, consulting, and strategic advising—all designed to elevate influence and performance at every level.Founded and led by Paula Edgar, our work centers on practical strategies that enhWe're starting off 2026 with a bang with my New Year's Intention and Goal Setting session on January 3rd, and then my new three-part series, LinkedIn Strategy for Lawyers: Build a Brand that Works for You, running January through March. Reserve your seat at paulaedgar.com/events.