Author: Lizette Volkwyn
Be Unique, be YOU, nobody can be YOU…and so we hear these quotes daily, but what does it really mean to Embrace your Authenticity? Many years ago I attended a conference and the theme was Be different and show up as YOU. For me, at that point in my life, it was a no-brainer of […]
Be Unique, be YOU, nobody can be YOU…and so we hear these quotes daily, but what does it really mean to Embrace your Authenticity?
Many years ago I attended a conference and the theme was Be different and show up as YOU. For me, at that point in my life, it was a no-brainer of course I am going to show up like me, being different, well that was the part I had difficulty grasping. I don’t want to stand out of the crowd, I want to fit in. I want to be accepted as conforming to the norm, and do what is acceptable according to society.
Fast forward years later, I managed to grasp the concept of Authenticity and what it really means to be YOU.
Authenticity is the quality of being genuine or real no additives added.
Easy enough? I think not. In a world where our lines of authenticity and society expectations are blurred it becomes more and more difficult to embrace your authenticity.
The question is now, how do we stay or embrace authenticity in a world begging for us to conform?
For me, it was more than just being authentic but rather a journey of self-exploration and embracing my authenticity whether I liked it or not.
Was it easy, no it wasn’t. It asked of me, to be totally honest, going raw, do a deep dive into my being and then love what I discovered.
So how did I do it? Here are a few tips on how to dig deep and embrace your authenticity.
Firstly, you need to strip all your labels right down to the core of you.
Labels? These as those generic words we so easily add to our presentation of ourselves, ie. Mom, Granny, Partner, Job title, Status, Education, etc. Take them all away and have a good look at what is left. Who are you? Who are you really? What do you like? What are your characteristics? What are your core values?
Understanding who you are enables you to start seeing your authenticity, your uniqueness, your power, the part that no one else can copy cat.
Secondly, Celebrate your strengths and nurture your weaknesses.
This is the exciting part…you might say I don’t really have strengths, but look again. Just because you are not building an empire or are at the top of your peer group does not mean you don’t have strengths. Your strength could lie in the fact that you are always lending an ear when your partner, friend, or colleague needs to vent. It could be your organizing skills when it comes to family get-togethers, or it could be that special gift to dish up the best meal for friends and family. Whatever it is, embrace it, this is what makes YOU.
As for your weaknesses, nurture them. This is not the time to bully yourself, run yourself to the ground and believe all the lies you are about to tell yourself. No, this is the time to nurture your weaknesses, whether it is impatience, shyness, a lack of confidence, or any other issue you might see as a weakness.
If it is impatience, practice meditation. Confidence, then engage with a confidence coach. The important part of all this is to ensure that whatever you see as a weakness, is to engage in methods to improve on them.
Thirdly, find your uniqueness.
In a world that shouts conformity, it is the authenticity that overrules the norm and allows for vulnerability and sincerity, to carry the day.
Our subconscious mind is the tattle tell of who we truly are. In my profession as Truth and Credibility consultant, our subconscious mind reveals what we are meant to say, which we have no control over. Whether through a mannerism, a twitch, or a way of speaking, when we are not true to who we really are, our body will go out of sync.
Authenticity asks of us to be vulnerable.
The scary part is that no one wants to open up, just to get hurt, rejected, or laughed at, but if we can show the world that we accept everyone around us in their own unique authentic way, we can teach others to do the same and before we know it the world has become a kinder place for all of us.
No one wants to show their cards, but here I am today, begging of you to go and take time out and celebrate your uniqueness.
Uniqueness could be in the way you make people laugh, the way organize in moments of chaos or it could be the way you care….whatever it is EMBRACE IT.
Three small steps, giant leaps to authenticity and confidence.
In closing, not every one of us is meant to steer the ship, but it requires all of us to bring our unique set of skills to this world to steer to happiness, vulnerability, and success.
Contact Us at WeSpeak Global and follow us on Facebook
The articles, video and images embedded on these pages are from various speakers and talent.
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by WeSpeak Global.
Value is the differentiator as Great businesses are not merely built on service but exceptional service and great customer experience; and an important element of their success is the VALUE IS THE DIFFERENTIATOR they deliver to their customers. Great businesses understand that for them to thrive and survive, they need to be constantly focusing on […]
‘There is no remote work for A TECH-DRIVEN WORLD POST-PANDEMIC. There is only work, THE NEW RULES’ futurist Mike Walsh said during a session on the future of the industry at the Schwab Impact conference. The pandemic has forced the working world to evolve technologically much faster than at any time in recent history, effectively […]
A couple of weeks ago I was in Orlando for a talk and I knew the THE 3 C’S OF ELITE TALENT DEVELOPMENT. The night before I was sitting at the hotel restaurant grabbing some dinner. Out of the corner of my eye I saw that there was a basketball game on the tv at […]
Doing good for customers is something that is inherently right. I admire purpose-driven companies. They have a strong commitment to a noble cause that helps them avoid the pitfalls of short-termism and significantly do good for society in some way. Whatever a company’s purpose, I believe that those with integrity ensure that the golden thread […]
THE RISE OF THE MINI TYRANTS, we all know the type. Dress a man in a hi-vis vest, armed with a clipboard and a biro, and you’ve just built yourself a mini tyrant. You’ve licensed a tiny authoritarian to impose the rules verbatim, as he sees fit, no matter the context or circumstances. It’s worrying […]
Native Americans Voices in Corporate America: Inspiring Change and Inclusivity Introduction The corporate world has increasingly recognized the value of diversity, inclusion, and fresh perspectives in today’s globalized and dynamic business landscape. Indigenous voices, often underrepresented and underheard, offer unique insights and experiences that can enrich corporate America. In this Native Americans article, we will […]
Are you guilty of multi-tasking during meetings? Unfortunately, being present during meetings, especially present-day Impactful Virtual Meeting, is so rare, I wish I could bottle and sell it. Here’s a few facts you can toss around the tele-conferencing office (Source: Prezi State of Attention Research): In any online meeting about 95 percent of the audience is probably multi-tasking. […]
Rebel technologists thrive when a couple of key environmental factors are in place The first thing is budget. Making sure that you can find the necessary budget to be able to instil these changes is an ideal starting point. If you aren’t working towards some kind of return on investment, somewhere along the line, why should […]
Our Mission
© All rights reserved 2025. Created using VOXEL THEME
