Authenticity has become a buzzword; it’s the go-to word for validating actions. Being authentic trends as “being whoever we want to be”. But what does it mean to be genuine? In this post, we will explore what it means to be authentic. We’ll look at common misconceptions about authenticity, consider the challenges of being authentic, and discuss how you can be more authentic in the workplace.
Benefits of Being Authentic
According to some studies, being authentic is associated with greater psychological well-being and life satisfaction. According to a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, people who were more authentic had higher self-esteem and life satisfaction.
Research has shown that being authentic is associated with greater psychological well-being and life satisfaction. A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology concluded that people who were more authentic had higher self-esteem and life satisfaction. Another study published in the Journal of Counseling Psychology found that authenticity links to higher resilience, the ability to recover from adversity and cope effectively with stress.
Additional benefits of being authentic include:
- Improved self-awareness. When you are authentic, you are aware of your values, beliefs, and emotions. This allows you to understand yourself better.
- Increased confidence. An authentic life has a significant effect on your self-confidence. You become more comfortable in your skin – you like yourself more, trust your judgment, acknowledge and work with your unique set of skills and talents. You make better choices that align with how you want to be.
- . Stronger relationships. Being authentic leads to better relationships because you are not pretending to be someone else. You can be honest about who you are and what you value. You are also better at managing boundaries and less judgmental of others.
- Greater trust. When people see you living in alignment with your values, their trust increases. Trustworthy people make outstanding leaders. If you become known for your integrity, you are more likely to be promoted.
- Greater creativity. Being authentic encourages you to be creative and innovate. That way, society’s expectations do not limit you.
- Better health overall. Living in alignment means you are likely to take care of yourself. You’ll prioritize self-care, rest and balance. Researchers discovered a correlation between living authentically and adopting healthy habits, such as eating well, exercising, and maintaining regular physical exams.
- Improved mental health. Being authentic can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. By allowing yourself to stay true to who you are, you will not have to constantly pretend to be someone you’re not. You may find yourself calmer, less conflicted, and happier.
Being authentic can have a profound positive impact on many areas of our lives, from our relationships, mental health, to our professional success.
Let’s consider what authenticity is not.
What Authenticity Is Not
Common misconceptions about authenticity include:
Misconception #1: Authenticity means seeking perfection.
Authenticity is not about being perfect or having everything figured out. On the contrary, it’s quite the opposite. It’s being perfectly imperfect and accepting that flaws are a part of human nature. It’s perfectly fine to feel vulnerable sometimes. Being authentic means being honest about your imperfections. You will be in a continual state of growth and development.
Misconception #2: Authenticity lacks boundaries
Authenticity does not mean you have to share every detail of your personal life. Yes, being honest about your experiences is important, but you should keep some things private. Maintaining boundaries and respecting your and others’ privacy is necessary for your growth. When you over share, you invite others to have a say in your life and to approve or disapprove of your thoughts, ideas, and aspects of your life that only you should decide.
Misconception #3: Authenticity fits all
Authenticity is a personal journey. What may be authentic for one person may not be genuine for someone else. Every person has their own unique experiences and perspectives. Societal expectations may not be the right answer for you. It’s about being true to your spirit, beliefs, and values.
Misconception #4: Authenticity is not selfish.
Being authentic does not mean only looking out for your needs. You can be true to yourself while being cognizant of others. Authenticity is about being honest with yourself while considering the needs and feelings of others. To realize your purpose, you will need to be authentic.
Misconception #5: Authenticity is flexible
Authenticity is not inflexible. It is not a destination that you can reach and then stop working on. It’s an ongoing process requiring self-awareness, introspection, and a willingness to learn and grow. Authenticity does not mean being rigid in your beliefs or behavior. It’s important to be open to new experiences and life lessons.
Misconception #6: Authenticity is consistent
Authenticity is about being inconsistent in your attitude and behavior. Things change, including your feelings, moods, and perspectives. It’s fine to sort out those emotions and express them.
Authenticity is a complex concept that focuses on being true to yourself. However, in order to avoid common misconceptions and understand the nuances of being authentic, it is important to understand what authenticity is not.
The challenges of being authentic are also part of understanding your authenticity.
The Challenges to Being Authentic
While on my journey to authenticity, I experience challenges that took me by surprise. I had to process…
Push back from others. Not everyone celebrated my discoveries. I encountered judgment from friends who were uncomfortable with how I changed. They preferred the person I was before – the idea of who they thought I should be.
All this to say is that some of your relationships will change. As painful as it may be, some of those relationships may end. Some people are with you for a lifetime, while others may only be in your life for a season. This can be difficult if members of your family have rigid beliefs or expectations about how you should behave or live your life.
Fear of rejection. Discovering your authenticity may involve making choices that differ from those in your circle of family and friends. This can create a fear of abandonment. You may worry you’ll lose important connections. You may need to decide which is more important – the comfort of staying where you are or the courage to explore something new.
Emotional Distress. Although the journey to authenticity was positive, it was also emotional and intense because I needed to confront past experiences. You may have to confront those experiences. You may have to confront hard truths that may leave you feeling a range of emotions, from anger to anxiety to sadness. It is important that you do not allow yourself to be led by your emotions. For one, emotions are fickle. You may feel low one moment and high the next.
Get to the core belief or resistance behind your feelings. Depending on the intensity, a coach, and/or a mental health professional may be necessary to help you sort through your emotions.
Identity Crisis. You may experience confusion or uncertainty as you begin to explore and uncover your authentic self, as you question your beliefs or self-concepts. As unsettling it can be, it can also lead to a stronger, more cohesive sense of self in the long run.
The Difficulty in Maintaining Authenticity
Living authentically requires continuous efforts at self-awareness, specifically when facing external pressures and expectations. It can be tempting to fall back into old habits that align more with the familiar. But falling back into these behaviors can create a sense of self-betrayal.
The authenticity process can be rewarding, but it is important to be aware of the potential challenges. Seek support and guidance as needed. This could be a mentor, coach, trusted friend or a mental health professional who can bring the right tools and resources to help you navigate a more fulfilling life.
Now that you know what authenticity is, what it’s not, and the challenges, how do you get started? How do you know what authenticity or cognitive dissonance is?
Developing Your Authenticity
Being authentic entails developing a thorough understanding of oneself and living under your values, beliefs, and identity. Here are some suggestions for cultivating authenticity:
Understand yourself. Reflect on your values, beliefs, identity, strengths, and weaknesses. Think about what is important to you, what you believe, and how you want to be perceived in the world. Consider what matters to you and what motivates you. When you work for a company that aligns with your values, you won’t have to feel you have to compromise your soul for a check.
Be honest with yourself. Practice being open and honest with yourself (and others) about your feelings, thoughts, and experiences. This can assist you in becoming more aware of your true self and in making decisions that are more in line with your authentic self. Recognize your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Avoid posing as someone you are not or concealing your true self. Accept yourself for who you are, flaws and all. This is especially helpful because it offers a diverse point of view that may help advance your organization. It can also help to avoid groupthink with your team.
Practice self-acceptance and be kind to yourself. Accepting yourself as you are, flaws and all, is an important part of being authentic. Observe your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors objectively. Taking care of yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally is part of practicing self-compassion. This will make you feel more confident and grounded in your own skin. Remember, different does not make you insignificant. It makes you unique and adds value. You add value.
Be willing to be vulnerable. Authenticity frequently requires bravery and stepping outside of your comfort zone. This can be frightening, but it can also be extremely rewarding and strengthen your bonds with others.
Describe yourself. Communicate your thoughts and feelings in a straightforward and respectful manner. Don’t be afraid to share your distinct point of view and voice. Your input in the workplace is just as important as your peers and co-workers. And it could be your input that makes all the difference.
Live your values. Once you’ve identified your values, try to live in alignment with them. This can help you feel more connected to your true self and boost your sense of authenticity. Start in small ways. Speak up for yourself, express your true feelings, and make choices that align with your values.
Surround yourself with supportive people. Seek relationships with people who accept you for who you are and support your authentic self-expression. Stay clear of those toxic and negative relationships that can sabotage your progress.
Is It Possible to Be Authentic at Any Age?
Authenticity can manifest at any age. Being genuine entails being true to yourself. Although being genuine comes naturally to some, you can work on it by practicing self reflection.
Your youth is a season to explore and learn. Many things come into play during this age; including hormonal, emotional, and physical situations that will eventually usher you into adulthood.
A wise man once said, “When he was a child, he spoke and acted like a child, he did childish things. But when he became a man, he put away those childish things.” It took time for him to learn and discard childish things in order to mature into the adult he became. He intentionally put away childish things. He made a conscious decision to do so. What that means is as you get older, there is a time where your experiences from your youth become lessons for application to your life as an adult.
Your lessons may be unique for you, and it will be your self-awareness that helps prepare you for your unique journey called life.
Be Wary of Phony Authenticity
Please keep in mind that you can manipulate your perception of authenticity to gain acceptance from others. You may feel pressured to conform to other’s expectations of you at the expense of suppressing certain aspects of who you are. It can be a struggle to balance your desire to be accepted with your need to be true to yourself. This can create inner conflict and feeling fake.
For instance, you might really want people to like you, so you pretend to be someone you’re not. This is especially true on social media, where you can carefully craft a “perfect” image to present to others. Your desire for acceptance can affect how you see things, especially if you care more about fitting in than being true to yourself. Beware of this behavior and strive for an authentic version of you that is based on your own values and beliefs instead of society’s expectations.
Look out for Untrue Beliefs
If someone’s beliefs are based on lies, it is likely that they will have a negative perception of authenticity. Being true to yourself is authenticity. But if your beliefs are unrealistic or based on false information, you may be out of touch with reality.
This means that you need to examine your beliefs and challenge the information to confirm your existing beliefs. Do this by finding evidence that your beliefs are correct. You may have to search online (Is there scholarly research supporting your beliefs? You can try scholar.google.com to find academic research to support a belief), ask questions (If a person is involved in your belief, you may need to reach out to that person to get their perspective on the situation – be respectful), or seek literature.
Here is an exercise you can also try. Have you ever heard “A leg to stand on?” It’s based on the premise that a table has four legs for stability, but it can still stand with three (but wobbly). With that illustration, if you can find at least three supporting facts to support a belief, then it can stand. Ideally, look for four. Any less than three, you may need to reconsider that belief.
This can be a challenging process because it may require letting go of long-held beliefs. You may have to confront uncomfortable truths. But it is necessary to develop a more authentic sense of self.
In some situations, you may be resistant to changing your beliefs. This may be true even when confronted with contradictory evidence. A variety of factors, such as cognitive biases, emotional attachment to beliefs, or society, may contribute to your resistance. Seeking the advice of a mental health professional can help you challenge those beliefs in a supportive and non-judgmental environment.
It All Comes Down to This
We discussed many things about authenticity: the benefits of being authentic, what authenticity is and is not, the challenges of being authentic, how to become authentic, and what to watch out for on the road to authenticity.
Ultimately, authenticity requires your commitment to the truth and a willingness to revise your perceptions as necessary. This can be difficult to do, but it is essential to develop a more authentic sense of yourself. You can do this!
Living an authentic life means having no regrets when you reach the end of your natural life! Begin now by deciding to be authentic and happy!
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*character represents your ethical, moral, and social attitudes and beliefs.
**Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Virtues. In Merriam-Webster.com thesaurus. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/virtues
