Archives For authenticity

Authenticity is a crucial skill for changing times. The word, “authenticity” comes from the Greek root authentikos, meaning “original, genuine, principal.” Authentic people are genuine, self actualizing and have a sense of purpose. Along with fearless passion and courage, they possess strong mental discipline.

Authenticity does not come from title, social stature, or wealth, but rather from how we live. That is, how we go about pursuing our purpose and making a contribution in our own unique way. Authentic people prevail in changing times because they are in harmony with the energy of the universe. Most Questers, described in “Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life,” are authentic.

How authentic are you?
Check qualities you possess. I …

1 perform daily activities in unique ways
2 work hard
3 share honest opinionsAuthetic checklist
4 enjoy being alone
5 am self aware
6 am curious
7 love intellectual stimulation
8 am respectful of others
9 recognize inter-relationships
10 seek new opportunities
11 exude vibrancy
12 care about environmental issues
13 live in the moment

Scoring: The more statements you checked, the more authentic you seem to be.

 

Fostering authenticity
To be authentic, you must understand who you are, what you want to be, and how you want to fit in the world. You should be self-guided.

– Build self esteem. Confidence gives you courage to set high expectations, to risk, to grow, to be authentic. Acknowledge your accomplishments. Prepare a list of positive achievements and personality characteristics. Post this where you can read it daily. Don’t change to please others or compare yourself to or compete with others.

– Stretch yourself. Constantly push the envelope, raising standards. Challenge conventional beliefs and paths. Travel uncharted territories. Although this may invoke disappointments, accepting and growing through challenges enhances authenticity.

– Be in the moment. Engage yourself completely in the activity at hand.

– Maintain perspective. Time and distance can make mountains seem like molehills. Don’t let what happened yesterday affect what will happen tomorrow. Face each challenge with an open mind. Look upon setbacks as one step toward growth and authenticity.

– Take comfort in authentic selfuncertainty. This unchartered path evolves moment-by-moment. Realize the path is the goal. Everything is workable.

– Focus on the positive. Look for and expect good things. Each time you catch yourself thinking something negative, replace it with a more positive thought.

– Strengthen resilience. Note what you’ve learned from traumatic experiences. Indicate how these have made you stronger, wiser, more authentic. Identify early cues that you’ve ignored, and what you’d now do differently.

– Bolster courage to risk. Review three successful risks taken. Note what made these successful. Identify perceived barriers for taking another risk, and explore ways to overcome them.

– Manage fear. Identify worrisome issues. Minimize these by researching relevant information and resources. Live in the present. Let go of “attachments.”

– Create a life in which you continue to grow and have choices. Make choices in harmony with your authentic self. Use your Quester power. “Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life” shows you how: www.questersdaretochange.com

Dr. Carole Kanchier, career and personal growth expert, is author of the award-winning, groundbreaking book, Questers Dare to Change Your Job and Life. A registered psychologist, coach, speaker, and columnist, Carole Kanchier informs, inspires, and challenges adults to realize their potential. She walks her talk!

Front CoverQuesters Dare to Change Your Job and Life (ISBN: 978-1508408963) by Carole Kanchier, PhD. Paperback, 278 pages, 6 x 9, Create Space, 6th ed (Feb., 2015)

Available at Amazon.com

A free copy of chapter 1 is available at www.questersdaretochange.com. An autographed
ebook may also be requested.

For more information about Questers or Carole Kanchier, PhD, visit
www.questersdaretochange.com

Carole may also be contacted by email: carole@questersdaretochange.com

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