Word-Of-the-Week #874: Authentic
May 6, 2021 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word-Of-the-Week #874: Authentic
Authentic – being genuinely and truly who you are.
What do you aspire to be? What is the unique value that you have to offer? If you need help who do you know that has a style, behavior, or an approach that you admire?
This week’s WOW features the last half of “How to Be Fabulous,” by Kerry Manning.
To Recap: 1. Positivity 2. Inspiration 3. Motivation
My favorite quote is this one from Dr Seuss.
“Today you are you, that is truer than true.
There is no one alive that is youer than you.”
When we are authentic, we are fabulous. So how do you embrace your Fabulousness?
There are 6 principles of fabulousness that I have figured out.
- Creativity
I believe that everyone is creative. Some people paint or draw, and others might be creative in the kitchen or through crafts. I have been teaching crafts for many years and I just love the light that comes on when people are being creative.
It is simply fuel for the soul. We spend so much of our lives giving to others but we need to refuel. Eating well, drinking water and exercise are all important but being creative is essential.
You don’t need a lot of money to get started. Simply start in your daily life. Rearrange furniture or ornaments, write in a journal, tap into your creative well.
Add it into your mix and you will become even more fabulous.
- Networking
Networking is an essential pillar of fabulousness for me. When you say networking to some people, a switch goes off. They are not in business, don’t have a business card and are not interested in getting up at 6 in the morning for a meet-up where business cards are swapped.
Networking is simple and it has been done since the beginning of time. You know that person that is connected to everyone? You know if you call them they will know someone who can help. She is a supreme networker.
We network in our daily lives every day and through this we create our circle – our network.
The thing to remember about networking is that it is relational not transactional. Networking is not about making a sale or a deal, it is simply about getting to know more people.
We can use networking to surround ourselves with positive people who will motivate us, inspire us and spark our creativity too.
- Appearance
Now, I know that I like pretty party dresses. I feel great if my hair looks great and I do love make-up. But that is just me.
For many years I didn’t embrace this side of me. I suffered from depression and cried so much that there was little point in make-up. I felt really ugly and fat because I listened to the criticism around me.
One day I made the decision to be fabulous and I need to tell you that I had to fake it for a while. Every day I got up and got dressed. I did my hair and accessorized. I took a make-up lesson and made a commitment to wearing make-up most days.
I feel that this is me – at my best, my most fabulous.
When I was all ‘dolled-up’ I felt better. I felt like the best version of me possible.
I just want to make a point here, that if you feel the best that you can be wearing jeans and a check shirt, that is ok too. What you want to tap into is dressing as you, to feel like the best of version of you.
It is a funny thing because when you tap into your fabulousness, people notice what you are wearing less, they notice how you feel and the energy you are putting out.
This week’s focus is on being your authentic self! What creative outlets or hobbies do you have? Do you feel like you are the best version of yourself? Do you consistently exhibit your own authentic behavior?
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Word-Of-the-Week #809: Authentic
February 6, 2020 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on Word-Of-the-Week #809: Authentic
Authentic – genuine: real.
Are you true to yourself? Do you act and behave in ways that are authentic? Are you in touch with your feelings and actions?
This week features “The Secrets of Being Authentic (and Why It’s Important)” by Jamie Friedlander at Success.com. She writes, “We like how Leonardo DiCaprio didn’t bring a beautiful young actress to the 2016 Academy Awards but rather his mother. I’m not the only person who’s lacking a date this upcoming weekend, we tell ourselves.
We love how model Chrissy Teigen shares a photo of herself and her husband John Legend on Instagram with their new baby girl, sans makeup and fancy clothing. She’s just like the rest of us, we think.
And we relish the stories of celebrities who struggled before becoming incredibly successful: How J.K. Rowling was living on welfare when she wrote Harry Potter, how Richard Branson struggled with dyslexia, how Stephen King’s first novel was rejected 30 times before finding a publisher.
We eat these stories up because they emanate authenticity. DiCaprio values his relationship with his mother just as much as his career. Teigen isn’t afraid to show her less-than-perfect side. King was a failure for many years before succeeding.
‘People follow authenticity. They are searching for it,’ says Karissa Thacker, a psychologist and author of The Art of Authenticity. ‘I think it’s twofold: The drive to be authentic and the drive to be around other authentic human beings goes back all the way to philosophy. But positive psychology also tells us that this sense of being true to yourself creates meaning. There’s a drive to be authentic inside all of us. Fundamentally, it’s part of living a meaningful life.’
The word authenticity is loaded, but Ryan Lee, founder of FREEDYM, a training resources website for aspiring entrepreneurs, believes it’s imperative we remember what it truly means. Some people might think having piercings or pink hair is authentic, but wearing Banana Republic and listening to Coldplay can be just as authentic if it’s who you truly are.
“Because of the trend of being authentic, people think you have to grow a big beard and you have to have tattoos and curse,” Lee says. “That’s not authentic if that’s not you.”
- Room for Growth
Although authenticity might seem like an innate trait and something we’re born with, Thacker believes you can develop it much like you would any other trait, like curiosity, kindness or honesty. For many years, our society has held the “I am what I am” view, she says, when in fact people regularly adapt themselves to context and situations.
She suggests the first step in building authenticity is turning on our “authenticity meter” to determine whether we are in touch with ourselves and our actions.
“A lot of us move through life reaction to reaction and we don’t stop and go, Wait, I just did that. Did it feel real to me? Why did I do that? Did I feel pressured by context? Was I trying to be cool? Nobody can tell you what’s authentic for you,” she says.
Another way to be seen as more genuine and real is to feel comfortable not being perfect in the eyes of others. Be comfortable sharing your failures and weaknesses. You might not think this is the best route in business, but when done appropriately, it can work. “If you understand your context, your environment and the relationship you have with the person you’re sharing the weakness with, I think people are more inclined to help—it’s more honest and it’s true.”
We can relate to others better when we’re not afraid of being vulnerable. “I’ve seen this happen time and again with executives who on the surface look perfect and can do anything,” Thacker says. “But nobody’s smart enough to figure it all out. Embracing your weaknesses and your quirks is just as much a part of being authentic as embracing your strengths.”
Lee agrees. For him, being authentic boils down to one concept: trust. “Be truthful to who you are,” he says. “Tell the truth. It really comes down to being you. It’s having the confidence to be you.”
Don’t be afraid to tell people what you believe in. Don’t think you need to straddle the line to please all of your friends, family or clients. Stay firm on your values and beliefs.”
This week’s focus is on being authentic. Are you comfortable not being perfect in the eyes of others? Do you embrace your weaknesses and your quirks? Are you firm in your values and beliefs?
I LOVE feedback! Join my Facebook community on my FUN-damentals Fan Page.
WOW Word-Of-the-Week #508: Authentic
April 30, 2014 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on WOW Word-Of-the-Week #508: Authentic
Authentic – genuine; real.
How did you do last week coming up with three or four characteristics that describe what you offer or aspire to offer? What are your strengths and what you do really well? Do you consistently exhibit your own authentic behavior?
This week’s WOW is the follow up to last week’s from a San Diego UT article titled, “How to build your personal, professional brand.” Personal branding is an elusive topic to most people, yet it is important for career success. Wise professionals with career success know it can mean the difference between landing that dream job and never getting noticed.
“You may think you don’t need a brand, but the reality is that you already have one,” says Jana Fallon, vice president, Executive Development for Prudential Financial. She recommends five specific actions you can take today to improve your brand reputation. This week I will share the next two.
R = Reflect
Reflect on your strengths and liabilities frequently. What is the unique value that you have to offer and what do you aspire to be? Think about your strengths
and what you do really well. What do you want to be known for in business? What differentiates you? Use those reflections to establish your unique brand. Perhaps you want to be known as a very curious, engaged consultant. Or perhaps your unique brand is one of intelligence, candor and strong ethics.
A = Actions Speak
In order to sustain your brand, you have to act accordingly. Your behaviors and the decisions you make daily impact your brand. Be bold in defining your brand and then have the courage to live up to that brand promise. If you are finding it challenging to start living your brand, find someone that has a style, behavior or an approach that you admire. Emulate what works. Try it yourself and see if it feels right for you. Experiment until you find your own authentic behavior.
This week’s focus is on being authentic. What do you aspire to be? What is the unique value that you have to offer? If you need help who do you know that has a style, behavior or an approach that you admire?
I LOVE feedback! Join my Facebook community on my FUN-damentals Fan Page.