The Joyous Simplicity of Authenticity.

A Human WYSIWYG: What you see should be what you get....

As the quote describes, authenticity is a significant part of our ability to connect to our world and to grow. But just wanting it does not increase it. In fact, the harder we try to be authentic, the more we may find ourselves faking it. With the advent of Social Media and Instant Sharing, our perception of what is authentic has changed. Today, with most things feeling transparent, authenticity is something more nuanced, which can begin to feel quite complicated.

So here's one minute of joyous perspective on getting back to pure authenticity in your life...

Get back to the traditional meaning of authentic.
It’s what we expect and not overly inventive. Consider the 'farm to table' movement. This is a very traditional lifestyle. I lived it most of my life. Farm to table is traditional food: no California fusion. It's straightforward and non-focused on looking cool. If you are adding more steps then you are removing between you and the source, you are losing the authenticity. Remove steps.

Authenticity is about grit, not success.
People paint such rosy images of themselves, especially online. Constant self-promotion is annoying. My favorite blog posts are those that talk about personal struggle. We find our true selves when we go through a difficult time, which means we are best able to show our true selves while we are going through it. Share struggles.

Authenticity is about caring what other people think of you.
Authenticity is a critical factor in career and relationship success. It’s a commitment to understanding how people see you and then adjusting what you want to project. The ability to be authentic requires two parts: self-awareness and knowing how others see you. Most of us are better at one than the other. So begin with deciding which half you are stronger in so you can work on the other one. Ask a good and trusted friend. It's risky but worth it. Open up.

Authenticity is short and simple.
I was recently talking with someone about writing with more soul, and they summed it up with, 'write shorter'. We all have a pile of things we want to say, but if you dump them in a post or conversation, it’s actually putting a wall up between you and the reader/receiver. Authenticity is the unfettered back and forth between us that reveals something new. Talk less, listen more.

Authenticity really is quiet, intimate listening: Listening and responding and caring. 

Authenticity is stark and straightforward and unfettered, and it probably doesn’t need a lot of self-promotion. Because authenticity is magnetic. It makes everyone lean in closer.

Lean in. Get real.

Cheers.