June 12, 2023
Self-Discovery and Being Your Best Self: Unveiling Authenticity
Recently, I had the pleasure of being invited onto The Sovereign Man podcast with my friend Nicky Billou. Our conversation gave me the inspiration to share some of my understanding for how we can live our life being true to ourselves by being both authentic and vulnerable.
As we know, the journey of self-discovery can take many forms, including reading books by amazing authors who we can learn from and get perspective from. Add coaching, and conversation, mixed with a healthy dose of introspection and reflection, because this work is very intentional and takes focus and effort to uncover and define who we really are.
Those who have a fixed mindset believe that they are set in their current state, whereas those with a growth mindset are open to exploring their authentic selves. A question to ask yourself is if you are truly living by your core values or following someone else’s. The reality is that self-discovery is an ongoing journey dedicated to being your truest and most authentic self.
But what does it really mean to be authentic?
We often hear and even use the word authenticity but may not fully understand what it means.
Let’s look at a definition for what authentic or authenticity means so that we are aligned. A person’s authenticity is defined by aligning their actions, beliefs, and values with their core identity. It’s about letting go of the layers of societal expectations and front-facing persona and embracing who they are.
To be clear, living authentically isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a fundamental part of our well-being, both our mental and emotional well-being, and I believe our physical health. I believe and have evidence in my world that our emotional and mental health is directly connected to our physical health, but I’ll address that topic another time.
A life driven by purpose begins when we live authentically, experiencing self-acceptance, fulfillment, significance, and genuine connections with others.
When we launched our SHIFT program, Setting Honest Intentions for Transformation, or our recent REIN initiative of Entrepreneurs Edge, these were driven by clients’ quests for Self-Discovery, their desire to discover who they are and to build their business, careers, and lives around being their most authentic selves.
Here’s the thing, in a world filled with external influences and societal pressures, it’s very easy to lose touch with our true selves, and that is why the journey of self-discovery is so important. It’s an opportunity to reconnect and in many cases, to define or even discover our authentic essence and come to know who we really are.
The key to self-discovery lies in introspection. It takes effort and dedication to reap the benefits, which we’ve discussed on our Mindset Matters Podcast many times before. Through the practice of journaling, meditation, and self-reflection, you can become more conscious of yourself and your real desires, or at least start to understand them better.
The few who embark on a journey of self-discovery recognize that being their true selves necessitates embracing vulnerability. Most resist, because at some point, they must justify or safeguard the adjustments made in their words and behavior. I brought up this topic while on the Sovereign Man podcast, primarily because of the dilemmas men have come to face post pandemic. On this episode we ended up discussing the topic of both vulnerability and authenticity.
With regards to business, family, and relationships, many are doing their best to navigate through a great deal of confusion and uncertainty. To be successful in the facets of our life I suggested that men (and women) need to muster the courage and vulnerability to discover where they’re at mentally; including being honest with themselves. This led into an interesting discussion around the potential risks associated with being vulnerable. And without question there is risk, and that is why we have a responsibility to ensure we create environments which encourage meaningful communication that extends further than discussions of weather and sports teams.
One of the toughest questions to answer, in what seems like an increasingly divisive and polarized world, is whether anyone can or should risk being vulnerable by sharing their views, fears, or concerns without the risk of being wronged or isolated, or being trolled on social media. The short answer is both yes, and no, and it’s not as easy as some think.
Authenticity encourages a sense of openness; we must lay aside the masks and personas. Once we begin to show vulnerability, we open ourselves up to real and meaningful connections with others as well as fostering personal growth. However, we must take things step-by-step; not everyone is on the path towards becoming their best self or leading their most fulfilled life.
As we all know, the journey to self-discovery is not without its challenges. Fears, doubts, and resistance will appear along the way. When you become your true self, you may no longer align with the values and belief systems of friends, family, or peers’ the way you previously had. So, the question becomes, are you willing to be misunderstood in the context of your life, in the context of yourself discovery? The truth appears to be that many if not most, are not.
Ultimately, for us to overcome the challenges, we must get to a place of self-compassion and patience with ourselves, because self-discovery is a lifelong process. It is crucial that we don’t beat ourselves up and that we embrace the journey we are taking with an open mind, as well as the confusion and uncertainty that comes with it, because that is how it will likely unfold. You will be tested time and time again.
As a result, we must ask ourselves, how do we integrate authenticity into our daily lives, knowing we risk judgment from others, and feeling exposed? There is no easy answer, but the other side of judgement, real or perceived, are the people who you attract who are aligned, and share common perspective, values and beliefs.
Start by aligning your actions with your authentic self, making conscious choices that reflect both your truest desires and values, without making anyone else wrong, including yourself.
Authenticity also depends on self-care. By nurturing your mental and emotional well-being, you create the space for authenticity to flourish.
I hope these insights have given you the inspiration to start your own journey of self-exploration. Your authenticity is capable of great transformation. You can reconnect with who you really are at any point in life – just do the inner work and explore your passions, values, and beliefs. Don’t hesitate to be vulnerable as you step into the life that was meant for you.
Remember to listen to our podcast and if you want more information about the programs Steffany and I offer, head over to https://shift.remi360online.com/shift-program
Stay true to yourself and watch how your mindset and life will expand.
Thank you for joining me on this short and introspective journey. Until next time, keep being authentic, keep uncovering the beauty within, and watch for us every week on the Everyday Millionaire Mindset Matters podcast.
