Have you ever felt like you’ve been wearing a mask that shields you from being your true self at work? Are you working in a way consistent with your values? Do you wonder what your greater purpose is? All these questions surround the
topic of authenticity which Brene Brown, a prominent researcher and management consultant, defines as “the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be, and embracing who we are.” So, why live authentically? Being authentic enables us to live with more freedom, purpose, and joy.
To develop your authenticity, the first phase in the journey is deep self-awareness. This step involves identifying your values and principles, strengths and areas of development, and your greater purpose. These answers do not evolve through a surface level assessment, but by a process of reflection. You may have heard the phrase “peeling back the onion.” Bill George, the former CEO of Medtronic, said, “As you explore who you are, you peel back one layer only to
discover a deeper and often more interesting layer underneath.”
In this busy world, we often rush from one meeting to the next without reflecting on who we are and what we stand for. Right now, as you are reading this blog, you might be thinking, “I have 100 things on my to-do list and no time to
reflect.” Yet, how often is it that we discover our most brilliant ideas while walking the dog or taking time to relax? Rather than diving straight back to your to-do list, I challenge you to temporarily set it aside and quiet your mind. While this might seem counterintuitive, philosopher William Penn once said, “True silence is the rest of the mind; it is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment.”
Over the next two weeks, spend 1 hour reflecting on the following five questions:
1) Who am I?
2) What do I stand for?
3) What are my values and principles?
4) What is my greater purpose?
5) What is my legacy?
Self-discovery is a journey, not a destination, so this reflection should be treated as a continual process overtime. As you
identify the answers to these questions, and embed them into your daily life; you will cultivate a more authentic life
aligned with your mind, body, and soul.
