Is it just me who thinks that sometimes authenticity is a bit… Tricky? Maybe it’s my accountant’s mind, but I keep looking for the “rules of authenticity”, and I can’t find them.
There may not be a rulebook, but we cover three guiding pillars in: How To Embrace Authenticity In Your Daily Life
Authenticity isn’t a black-and-white concept — there’s some nuance to it.
For example:
- Does living authentically mean I should be avoiding anything that feels uncomfortable?
- When I make stuff, should I be making it just how I like it, or can I be authentic while still creating for an audience?
- How do I show up authentically at work if I don’t feel passionate about my job?
Let’s get into it!
Authenticity vs. my comfort zone
Say I know what I like, what stresses me out, and where my comfort zone is. Does living authentically mean staying within my comfort zone?
Logically, I think we know the answer is no, we should be stepping outside our comfort zones sometimes. If that’s true, then how do we invite discomfort while maintaining our authenticity?
The answer lies in the intention.
We have to remember that much of authenticity circles back to our core values.
Sometimes the action that is most in alignment with our core values is not the most comfortable one.
Say maintaining strong relationships is really important to you. Life is busy, and it’s really tough to get out, especially for introverts in need of a recharge after a long day of work!
While it might feel truest to you to decline an invitation out in favour of staying home and enjoying some quiet, your core value surrounding relationships will occasionally haul you out of the house anyway, and that’s authentic as well. It’s value you place on your relationships that pushes you intentionally out of your comfort zone.
We need a workplace example, so let’s pick overtime. Busy season is upon us accountants soon, and most of us are dreading the extra hours right about now. Work-life balance is important to me, so is my most authentic move to refuse to do the required overtime?
Not if you value career progression, teamwork and camaraderie, or financial security. If you do, the most authentic move is probably to hunker down and do the overtime. (It would help to reframe it as an opportunity, a blip in the year, or a chance to really get to know your coworkers. 🙂 )
Where it becomes inauthentic in both of these examples is if you start constantly ignoring your need to rest or recharge.
To live authentically requires knowing the appropriate, value-aligned balance for you, and then maintaining it.
Authenticity and creating for an audience
Authenticity and creativity go hand in hand, but the line can become murky once you introduce an audience. Many creative entrepreneurs run into this issue of wanting to create what they want to create in their authentic voice. They don’t want to have to change it for others.
On the business side, though, they know that they need a market for what they’re creating. They have to consider the opinions of the people who are part of that market.
The way I see it, there are a couple of options if you are looking to connect with an audience:
- Continue to make what you want to make, just because you want to make it. Trust that the right people will find your stuff, deeply appreciate it, and form your unique niche.
- Learn about your target audience and consider what they really need or care about. Then continue creating, but with those things in mind.
Part of my mind is yelling defiantly at me for point two there, but hear me out!
Authenticity is not “all-or-nothing”, as we’ve demonstrated. There’s space to be authentic in your creations while producing something that you think your audience will like. The authenticity still comes through:
- In the sincerity of your offering as you make what you’re making
- Through your unique solution to the audience’s key problem
- Through the voice that you use, figurative or literal
- In your genuine intention to connect with your audience
The authenticity is coming from a more fundamental level, which is why core values are so closely tied to authenticity.
Authenticity in the workplace
Here’s another tricky one. Not all of us are in a position where we love every aspect of our jobs. How many budding bean counters felt pressure to express their passion for numbers in the interview process? Sometimes, a job just has to be a job.
So how can we bring authenticity to the workplace in that case?
We stay authentic by paying attention to how and why we show up.
If we can see where our core values align with what we do, we can reframe our experience. We can also look for opportunities to integrate more of our core values, plus our unique interests and talents, into the work that we do.
Being authentic in how we show up
Some of us are incredibly ambitious and career-driven. If that’s you, I think late nights and difficult assignments are par for the course! If you’re showing up authentically, those things will come naturally.
Of course, not all of us feel that way. We can get swept up in it and present ourselves as ambitious overtime-crushing go-getters anyway. If that’s not you, that’s okay! The workplace needs you too.
You can still show up authentically and do a great job while keeping healthy boundaries in line with your values. They simply may not be the same boundaries as the people that truly enjoy crushing overtime. (Ah comparison, the thief of joy.)
Being authentic in what we do
Even if we aren’t totally enamoured with our jobs, I’ll bet there is some aspect of the work that we enjoy.
Maybe you really like analytical work. Perhaps you love writing. You might even have a passion for mentorship. Can you add a bit more of those things into your current breadth of work? If so, how much more of it can you bring in?
Leaning into our unique interests and talents creates a more authentic experience at work.
As an example, I do enjoy writing and mentorship. I was able to find work that involves a lot of report writing, and administrative roles in training and mentorship! Leaning into these areas has helped me feel more authentic during the workday.
Being authentic in our daily interactions
How do you participate at work?
Whether it’s meetings or water cooler chats, authenticity at work means sharing your ideas, asking your questions, asking for help, and as cliché as it sounds, finding opportunities to just be yourself.
You never know what wonderful shared interests you might uncover, or shared experiences you’ve had.
We do need to be a little buttoned down at many workplaces, but if you look for them, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to bring little pieces of after-hours you into your place of work. If that’s what you want, of course.
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Parting words
I’ve previously said that I was intrigued by the idea of being the same person no matter where you are or who you’re with.
There’s some merit to it; but as with most things in life, it’s grey.
I don’t believe in pretending to be someone you’re not, or to care about things that you don’t.
But I do believe there’s room for nuance. You can change your mannerisms between groups of people. You can dress to impress, you can be loud and fun at parties, and buttoned down at the office. The big question is, when you’re doing all of these things, do they feel true to you?
Perhaps that’s the key in navigating the grey areas: being authentic doesn’t have to be loud. It’s a quiet, internal value alignment and honesty check as you navigate your daily life.
I like to say that creativity taps directly into your most authentic self, so why not try something creative today? For a little monthly reminder, I invite you to sign up for my newsletter: a little creative encouragement direct to your inbox!
