Written by: Moira Hutchison, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
It is not always easy to be truly yourself. At home, you can relax, but once you go out that door (or meet with someone on camera) it is a different matter. You feel the need to behave and dress a certain way. You are less open with your preferences and opinions; especially when dealing with people, you do not know that well. It is not easy to be original.
In our formative years, there tends to be immense pressure to fit in. Those that are authentic are fodder for bullies in the educational system.
Truth be told, there is much to be gained if you dare to be authentic.
Secretly, we all admire those brave enough to be themselves. Many of the most creative people are the most highly valued. You do not get to become a CEO, or successful actor, musician, or artist without the courage to be yourself.
There are many benefits to being authentic, both professional and social!!
Increase your self-confidence and enhance your life by daring to be authentic:
1. Trust your instincts and intuition.
Two things that makes you original are your instincts and your intuition. They are yours and yours alone. Both are based upon your unique experiences and view of the world. Anytime you learn something new, you are affected. That knowledge influences your perspective.
Start small and rely on your gut to make small decisions for you. Try going for a drive and allow your intuition to guide you. Take turns in the road that just “feel” right to you.
Trust your gut when you lack sufficient information.
2. Change your clothing.
Do you dress the way you prefer, or do you dress to fit in or to impress others? This is not a suggestion to wear a miniskirt or a purple suit to your bank job, but outside of work, you are largely free to do as you please. Dress to impress yourself.
3. Share your opinions openly.
There is no reason to tell your colleague that her new hairstyle reminds you of a housewife from the 50’s. However, you can freely share your opinions on less personal things. Be open regarding your taste in movies, music, food, and other similar topics. Allow others to see the real you.
4. Be kind to those that are brave enough to be authentic, too.
If you are critical of others, you will be afraid of receiving the same treatment. This will stifle your freedom to be yourself. That acquaintance with the green hair, eight cats, and smells like potpourri? Be accepting.
5. Be willing to make mistakes.
Make decisions as wisely as possible but make them and do your best. If you are afraid of making mistakes, you will never be authentic.
6. You have nothing to lose.
The late Steve Jobs stated, “Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”
In 100+ years, there will no one left on Earth that ever saw you or spoke to you in person. There is no reason not to be yourself and enjoy the time you have.
7. Spend more time with your friends.
Part of the reason you like those people so much is your ability to you be yourself around them. It is refreshing, and you feel better about yourself. So, why not spend more time with them? You might develop the habit of being yourself.
Isn’t it time to be your true self? You have been living as a shadow of yourself for too long. Realize that this is your life and being anything other than your true self is being less than you can be. Be courageous and show the world who you really are.
For more information and tips on accessing your inner guidance to align with YOUR best success, follow Moira on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn, join her Facebook Community, or visit her website!
Moira Hutchison, Executive Contributor, Brainz Magazine
As an Intuition Cultivator and Mindset Mentor, Moira Hutchison guides her clients to access the inherent power they have available when they ignite their personal trinity of trust, inner awareness, and self-confidence. Moira works with professionals who feel that there is something better in life for them, but they have no idea how to access it. However, they have a yearning to be guided by their intuition and align with their unique calling. What makes her distinctive and different in this work is that she has developed the ability to take complex energetic, and spiritual ideas and interpret them in ways that people find easy to understand, integrate and implement.
