Authenticity means, you are genuine and honest to yourself and those around you. Sharing your time and energy with those who are truly authentic is rewarding, fun, and captivating. Authenticity is often one of the most sought-after attributes, yet hard to accomplish due to societal expectations in people.
Not sure if someone is authentic? The following six things are clues that someone may not be authentic.
Express Fake Emotions, Thoughts, or Feelings
You do not find an authentic person faking crying or smiling or expressing opinions they don’t honestly believe. They take pride in their ability to be themselves and would feel like a fraud to fake it. They do not fear rejection because, through the experience, they know that their authenticity is sought after. Their only goal in life is to reflect their true emotions at all times.
Compare Their Life to Others
Authentic people value their uniqueness and realize everyone’s life, and the journey, will be different. Plus, they know that difference is something to celebrate. They do not want it any other way. They truly understand that just because something works for others does not mean it will work for them. Therefore, there is no need to compare as it provides no real value to them.
Worry About Pleasing People
The only person they worry about pleasing is themselves. Of course, they do have principles, morals, and values that they stand by that helps guide them. Authentic people realize that they cannot make everyone happy, and it is not their job nor their life’s mission to do so. Their only life mission is to be who they are. To do that, they must be completely themselves, and they will not let anyone get in the way of that.
Let Others Make Their Decisions or Blame Others
Authentic people are usually well-liked leaders who like to make their own decisions. They are accountable for their decisions no matter the outcome. They accept both praise and criticism freely because they know they are the only ones responsible for their direct actions.
Require Validation from Others
Authentic people often self-reflect to find how to improve. This means they do not need validation from others to do better things or be a better person. Authentic people do what they believe is right and best for them, no matter the opinions or lack of effort from others. If they believe they can do it, that is all the need to get it done.
Lie or Mislead
No good comes from lying or misleading others. Genuinely authentic people stress the importance of being honest and would do anything they can to be sure others fully understand them.
Being authentic comes down to liking yourself and being confident in who you are. If you feel like you are lying or faking it with people, you need to get real with yourself and others. You don’t want to just seem authentic; you want to be authentic.