Being authentic is simply being real and genuine. It includes being true to yourself and those around you. It includes being straightforward with yourself and others. Embrace the following eight qualities to be more authentic.
Honesty
Honesty is important to authentic people. When you are authentic, you do not want to give the impression that you believe in something when you don’t. You also prefer to see things as they are (good or bad), instead of white washing the truth to make it “acceptable.”
Self-Reflective
Authentic people pay attention to their thoughts, emotions, decisions, and behaviors. They also focus on how these affect them and others. To be more authentic, self-reflect more. It helps you recognize mistakes and accomplishments. Doing this helps you to make better decisions and grow into better people.
Non-Judgmental
Most people who are or want to be more authentic understand that mistakes are natural and happen frequently. They do not judge or feel the need to judge others. They find a way to understand and accept people as they are, even when they disagree.
Mindfulness
Authentic people tend to live in the moment and are grateful for the little things in life. They rarely spend dwell on past mistakes or fantasize about the future. Instead, they make concrete plans to follow so they reach their goals for the future. They understand that the only real opportunity they have is to seize the moment.
Consistent
Because authentic people have a true sense of who they are, they are highly consistent. You will see them do and say things regularly. Knowing what you want and taking actions to consistently achieve it is essential to becoming a consistent, dependable, authentic person.
Courageous
Courage is a quality that many authentic people have. They often face challenges head-on, even when afraid because to receive the results you want, you must step outside of your comfort zone to live a full life. Calculated risk-taking is also an element of being courageous so you want to include this as you develop this quality.
Respectful
Genuine, authentic people make respect a top priority. They show others respect concerning beliefs, values, morals, and character. They also expect to be shown respect. They will never compromise their values to please others.
Confident
Authentic people who are confident do not require validation from others to live their life and succeed. They are confident in themselves and their abilities. Their confidence is often quiet and humble.
To be more authentic, incorporate these qualities into your life. It is essential to be genuine and honest with yourself. Faking or forcing it is not the best way to succeed, since authenticity is based on being yourself while you grow.