Popeye said I am what I am in the old cartoons Sammy Davis Jr sang ” I’ve got to be me” Sadly so many of us have lost sight of who we are authentically
It’s like wearing a mask 24/7; sure, it might seem like a good idea at first, but trust me, it comes with its own set of consequences.
First off, it’s exhausting. Trying to be someone you’re not takes a ton of energy. You’re constantly thinking about how to act, what to say, and it’s like living in a never-ending performance.
Then there’s the stress. When you’re not true to yourself, you’re essentially living a lie. This can lead to all sorts of anxiety and mental health issues. It’s like juggling too many balls and sooner or later, one of them is going to drop. That can be truly embarrassing or humiliating
And let’s not forget about relationships. People appreciate authenticity. When you’re not being genuine, it’s hard for others to connect with you on a real level. It can lead to a sense of loneliness and isolation. In the work place it impacts trust in your decisions and effectiveness
Plus, it’s just not sustainable in the long run. Eventually, you’ll start feeling like you’re losing yourself. You might even forget who you really are in the process.
On the flip side, embracing who you are, idiosyncrasies and all, is like a breath of fresh air. It’s liberating. You attract people who genuinely resonate with the real you, and those are the connections that really matter.
I am noticing this with several of my clients who accept customers because they want the work and the money. When they realize that the client is draining them emotionally and they are not getting the reward they hoped it is time to cut them lose but there is fear; lost money or prestige or whatever. it’s like dating. Just because someone likes you doesn’t mean they are right for you and why would you settle for less than? Don’t we all deserve the right people in all facets of our life?
Be your fabulous, authentic self and let your employees and friends be authentic as well. Embrace the quirks, own your strengths, and just be you. You may lose some employees or jobs or clients or friends, and that is OK. The right people, jobs, friends, and clients will come. Trust me, life’s a whole lot better that way
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