Are you ever afraid to speak your mind and say what you really think, but you do it anyway? Congrats, my friend. You’re being authentic.
Being authentic can be scary as heck. (Ask me how long it took to put my authentic spin on this article. I could say “right away,” but then I would be lying — not at all authentic.) When you’re authentic, who you are on the inside is the same as who you reveal to the outside world.
The Power of Authenticity
Someone once asked me, “If you can’t be you, then who will?” That really resonated with me. Think about it: If you can’t be true to yourself, how will that impact your life both personally and professionally? In today’s noisy society, it’s important now more than ever that we all be our true, authentic selves. Especially when it comes to building a business.
Knowing who you really are and bringing your uniqueness to your business can do wonders for your bottom line by connecting you with your dream clients, boosting your sales, and making you fall more in love with what you do.
Here are three reasons being authentic can help you succeed in life and in your business.
1. When you love what you do, it shows.
When you’re following your passion and you love what you do, there’s no hiding it! It’s meaningful and inspiring, and even when you hit challenges along the way, you’ll figure them out because you’re a boss babe (or boy!). It feels good to stand up to your trials rather than run and hide, doesn’t it? This drive is what others will see, and they’ll be drawn to you like bees to honey.
2. When you’re authentic, it makes you relatable.
Ever had a mix–up with a product order or shipped the wrong thing to the wrong person? (It happens!) You can actually use it to your advantage. Acknowledge your weaknesses and fess up when you’ve made a mistake. People will relate to this, and they’ll begin to trust you. Knowing your strengths is key, but identifying your weaknesses and owning up to them will show others that you’re not afraid to be honest and admit when you don’t have all the answers.
3. You’ll create genuine relationships.
To break through the clutter and noise in our world, you need to demonstrate that you truly care about your audience and that the message you’re sending is sincere. When you’re speaking your truth, the right people will hear you. They’ll “get” what you’re saying.
Building a business can be challenging, so you’re going to need cheerleaders in all four of your corners for encouragement. These types of relationships, where both sides are vested in each other’s success, can provide you with valuable opportunities, contacts, or ideas you might not have known about otherwise.
