Be Authentically You
In theater class this has more to do with the character you are playing…be the character in the best possible way. As an actor you work to hone the finer points of a character to a point that you can step into the “skin” of that character each time you portray it. It happens when you can authentically be that character.
This is something that can also be used in our day to day lives…to authentically play your “character” in everything you do. Regardless of roles you have in life (mother, daughter, biz professional…) you should be living these out as you.
What causes people to not be authentically themselves? Well there are way to many reasons to fully discuss in this post, but usually it boils down to a fear that being themselves will cause pain or cost something.
It may be difficult, but by blowing past these limiters to become who you truly are will release you to such an amazing life.
What does this look like in real life? Well a good example is my friend and business coach Zee. She has been building her practice in my community for a few years with quite a bit of success, but could not shake that she was missing something. Her tagline was that she “empowered entrepreneurs” to be successful in life and business. Well after some digging in and tough love she was brought to a place where she felt she could finally step out authentically as who she knew she was. Now her tagline has shifted to working with entrepreneurs and business professionals to “unf*ck themselves”. This is not a message for the faint at heart, but that is okay because she only wants to work with those who want to get dirty and make changes.
How do you do this? Well start by writing down what lights you on fire, what makes you laugh, what makes you cry, what makes you get up each morning…then reflect on these things. These are the things that you need to embrace each day until they what you are reflecting in each and every part of your life. Here are a few other ways that can help you start to live a life that is authentically you:
Morning Reflections
By taking time each morning to reflect on what makes you authentically you, this will keep this top of mind through out the day. Daily practices like this is like weight lifting for the brain. Start out slow, build on it and you will be amazed what you can do.
Create a Weekly Hit List
At the start of each week (maybe during Monday’s morning reflection) choose one thing you want to tackle to live more authentically. By breaking it up the changes you want to make into smaller chunks, you will be more successful in accomplishing your goals.
Practice Living Authentically
What the heck does this mean? Well it means to start using your authentic style in small ways to get used to them. Write your emails, blogs and correspondence with a flare that is more you. Or…when you are meeting someone for the first time, step into that “character” before the meeting and try it on for size. It may take some courage to step out of what is safe, but you will feel such freedom when you do.
Do One Thing That Scares You A Month
This is a way to push your boundaries in a good way. Now you don’t have to go jumping out of an airplane or anything. But it could be taking an improv or art class. Maybe it is showing up to an evening networking event where you do not know a soul. By doing things that scare the hell out of you, you are making a mental shift to be okay with pushing outside the norms.