Authenticity and the expression of our authentic self is the ultimate niche.
Let’s dig into why this is true and how we can cultivate authenticity.
But first, what does authentic mean?
Authenticity defined
According to Merriam-Webster, the authenticity definition is such:
a: worthy of acceptance or belief as conforming to or based on fact
Ex: paints an authentic picture of our society
b: conforming to an original so as to reproduce essential features
Ex: an authentic reproduction of a colonial farmhouse
c: made or done the same way as an original
2: not false or imitation : REAL, ACTUAL
Ex: an authentic cockney accent
3: true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character
That last definition is where we focus our attention here. Within us, we carry our story and perspective.
These two pieces offer a mix of creativity the world can use. This mix makes our self authentic in expressing who we are when we live true to ourselves.
It’s what enables us to live authentically.
It’s our offering to the world we can bring if we choose to share it.
There’s a problem, though. Many of us live in fear.
Fear keeps us small and quiet.
It constricts our creative powers and locks us in prison within ourselves.
Conquer these fears by doing.
When I was younger, I was too concerned with perfection.
It stopped me from creating.
Don’t make this mistake.
All things worth doing take time. Living authentically takes time. It’s something we have to build within ourselves.
We refine ourselves through the journey of action. There is no more incredible feeling than living authentic lives reflecting who we are.
But that only happens when we take action and do things differently. The smallest changes count!
Authentic Life
Waiting for the perfect moment will never be.
Whatever idea you’ve been keeping locked within, the world can use it.
Not sharing keeps us miserable.
Destroy the inner judge through action.
They say good things come to those who wait.
I say bullshit.
Persistent actions are what create outcomes.
We will wait on the outcomes.
We will not wait on our actions. Living inauthentically is where nonaction occurs.
Without action, nothing changes. Starting small is how we overcome this fear.
Just get started. Everything I’ve launched has changed and refined over time as it interacts with the market. This is how all of our ideas will be. The execution will refine them.
We define our life by our courage to share what lives within. It’s scary to put ourselves out there and risk being rejected and ridiculed. Do you know what’s worse? Living a life of quiet desperation because we’re afraid to take action on the things that live inside us.
Be authentic.
Break free from the herd.
How to be authentic
We are creators.
The world wants us to be consumers.
We are children of Creation.
We are made to innovate, create, and connect.
There isn’t a linear path to authenticity, but there are tools and strategies we can leverage to connect with our authentic selves.
Only when we lose ourselves in the world, do we forget the power we hold.
This isn’t woo-woo BS either.
It’s tangible.
Our fulfillment is connected to our expression.
Much of our misery can be tied to the suppression of our true selves.
Our purpose is tied to our creation.
It’s unique to each of us.
The power of our world today is the connectedness we live within.
Being Authentic
One thing has changed the game completely. The internet.
There are now tiny micro communities available to all of us.
In the past, starting a tiny, strange, weird business was impossible.
You were limited to your local community.
Not anymore.
This is what social media has given us.
Social media has given us the power to connect with people who may resonate with our message and vision.
We have to act.
Actions to take:
- Spend time with yourself alone
- Journal, record yourself speaking, make art, whatever works for you
- Treat yourself like a new friend and explore
- What are you interested in?
- What things drew you in as a kid?
- What can’t you shake?
- What’s an interest that you always are drawn to?
Let these questions lead you.
Be open and curious about who you truly are, and note areas where you feel resistance.
That resistance may point you to a deeper part of yourself that hasn’t been allowed expression.
You should explore deeper if you feel fear or think something may be silly. We live in a world where we can do micro businesses and live excellent lives.
Quitting is the only absolute failure.
But even then, it’s not a failure if it’s getting us closer to our authentic expression.
I’ve quit many things. But those things I started and quit became skills I gathered along the way I’ve used in new ventures. Only when we quit learning and accept defeat do we fail.
Now I realize I quit before because they weren’t true to who I was.
They weren’t honoring the authentic being within me.
They were ideas society deemed acceptable, and I was trying to force myself to fit in.
It created great pain in my life because I lived inauthentically to who I was.
I was too afraid to make the leap.
Now I’m all in on my weird perspective on things. I’ve launched a men’s coaching program to help others who struggle with the same things. It’s all built around who I am deep within.
Expression creates peace within.
I was restless and miserable for so long because I denied my authentic expression.
So many of us do this.
It’s not our fault.
It’s what we’ve been taught. Forced to fit molds because sheep are easier to manage than lions.
If you take anything from this post, take this – own your shit. All of it.
The good and the bad.
Understand it.
Synthesize it.
Share it.
If you need help and support, then reach out.
Many are taking this journey.
Waking up from the slumber of human life. This is how we become an authentic person.
There are many resources we can use to move forward.
You’re not alone on the journey to your authentic self.
Leap yourself and allow the chaos to transform you into something you can only dream of.
This is what they mean when they say happiness is found within us. It is our authentic selves we seek.
There is so much potential locked within each of us.
I’m on a mission to unleash it.
What’s stopping you?
If you’d like to explore getting some help activating your authenticity, I offer coaching services to help men find their authentic selves.
You can learn more about my services here.
I hope you enjoyed this thread.
If you did, please consider retweeting the tweet below to keep the love going and help lift another.
Originally tweeted by Brandon Ward 🇺🇲 (@BrandonLeeWard) on August 16, 2022.
