DON'T HIDE BEHIND AUTHENTICITY: EMBRACING TRUE AUTHENTICITY
❝Authenticity isn't about staying who you are; it's about growing into who you're meant to be.❞
My hands shook as I walked to the front of my high school classroom to give a speech. Public speaking terrified me, and I sped through the presentation just to get it over with. College didn’t make it easier. I had to take a speech course and tackle impromptu speaking and conference presentations—things that felt so far outside of “who I was.”
Fast forward 20 years, and speaking is one of my favorite parts of my work. What changed? I didn’t let my discomfort define me. Instead of labeling public speaking as “not authentic to me,” I embraced the opportunity to grow.
This raises an important question: Are we using authenticity as a reason to avoid growth?
HOW THE PAST SHAPES US
There’s no denying it: your past has shaped you. Everything you’ve experienced has influenced your preferences, beliefs, and values. But those preferences represent only the life you’ve lived so far.
Think about it: You’ve likely done things for the first time and discovered you loved them. So what if there are other experiences waiting to become part of your authentic self—but you haven’t tried them yet?
If we cling to a fixed mindset, saying, “That’s not who I am,” we risk using authenticity as a shield. Instead of growing, we hide behind the idea of staying true to ourselves.
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The Value Compass is designed to help you gain insight into your own values and how they guide your thoughts, feelings, and actions. It can be used to explore your personal goals and motivations, as well as to gain a better understanding of others' values and how they may differ from your own. |
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TRUE AUTHENTICITY
Authenticity is often defined as living in alignment with your values. But here’s the catch: you don’t know all your values yet.
Some values you know deeply. Others are waiting to be discovered. The things you haven’t tried yet could reveal what matters most to you, but only if you’re willing to explore.
Authenticity isn’t about staying the same—it’s about growing into who you’re meant to be. It’s not about doing things because others expect you to (that’s mimetic desire), but it’s also not about avoiding growth out of fear. True authenticity lies in embracing your full potential.
Your past matters—it’s shaped your tastes, values, and identity. But your past doesn’t have to define your future. Authenticity is not a static state. It’s a process of discovery, risk, and growth.
Take a chance. Try something new. Stretch beyond what feels comfortable. Authenticity isn’t a destination; it’s a journey toward your fullest self.
You get one life; live intentionally.
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REFERENCES AND INFLUENCES
Dweck, Carol: Mindset
Manson, Mark: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck
Robin, Vicki: Your Money or Your Life
Wallace, David Foster: This is Water
Ware, Bronnie: The Top Five Regrets of the Dying
