http://www.teamworkersusa.com/big-authentic/
Feel Like A Big Phoney? 3 Ways To Be More Authentic In Your Business!
I’ve been a coach for several years now, and I have had plenty of times when I’ve felt like a big phony. I have had my moments where I’m preaching one thing and practicing another. There are times I’ve experienced intense fear about being “found out”: such as being caught eating a Burger King after talking about the importance of good health all day. Oh yes, I sure have done it!
I met Mike Robbins a while back. He wrote a book called Be yourself, everyone else is already taken – transform your life with the power of authenticity. Mike has said many times “if you want to know just how full of it you really are, write a book on authenticity!” I believe that Mike’s path to becoming more authentic was to write this book, in other words, we teach what we most need to learn (Mike says this too). I know that many of us in this industry of empowering others are doing just that. The question is: when are we qualified to teach, and how can we come from a place of integrity so that we are actually walking our talk?
I’ll share with you 3 ways you can begin being more authentic in your business right now. Not only will this take a lot of pressure off of you, but people will be able to relate to you even more, and it will actually add to your credibility.
1. Do not claim to be perfect, and tell people that you’re “happy” ALL THE TIME.
First of all, that’s just not true. It defies the human experience, which is one that consists of polar opposites. We all have challenges, we all have fears, and we all feel sad and hopeless from time to time. Even if you have reached a place in which you can move through this quickly, be up front with your clients and audience – because YOU are expanding as well. Its okay to share that you know what it feels like and how scary it can be. This is usually when that particular tool or method you use will appeal even more to your clients, by telling them you apply it to your own life and have seen wonderful results with it.
On a subconscious level, people want to work with someone who they feel understands them and can guide them. Also on a subconscious level, people can smell BS and may not even understand why they don’t trust you, they just know they don’t. There’s no need to pretend. When I started to “out” myself more and be more up front with my own challenges, I began to work with a lot more clients. Then I didn’t have to worry about being busted with a burger from time to time! I was also able to feel better and serve my clients in a way I actually felt good about.
2. Even if you’re not practicing what you preach all the time, do what you would coach others to do, and keep trying.
This is really where “teach what you most need to learn” comes in. I know as a coach, it’s because I talk about something all the time that it stays in the forefront of my mind and I’m constantly reminded of it. In this way, I can be the teacher and the student at the same time. I will often tell people “I’m listening to this as I’m saying it, because I need to hear it too”. I know I’m grateful for coaching and speaking to keep me on this path because it keeps me on my own path of expansion.
If you’re having trouble, just remember to keep this intention. Keep trying. Be grateful for your own teachings for helping you – and for heaven’s sake: DON’T WAIT UNTIL YOU’RE PERFECT TO TEACH IT. You never know how another person is going to absorb your teachings, and because you don’t do everything right 100% of the time doesn’t mean you have no credibility.
As teachers we need to be a walking example of all aspects of our teachings, including forgiving and having compassion with ourselves. This is important not only to demonstrate, but to offer this to our clients when they fall down, because they will too from time to time.
3. You may be surprised who is willing to do business with you on the level where you are. Try telling the truth and see what happens!
I know many of you feel like there are certain people who may be “out of your league”. If so, you may have or been tempted to 1. lie about how well you’re doing or 2. avoid these people altogether. I can speak from experience here; I’ve done both in the past – with zero results. When I stopped feeling small and acting small, it was amazing how many people were actually willing to help me grow. Because I was honest about where I was, demonstrated a passion for what I was doing, and had the courage to ask them for help, I ended up getting far more than I expected.
Take a few minutes now and ask yourself what other ways you could show up a little more “real” in the world. Try to come up with at least five. Think about your personal relationships with people as well as your business relationships. Most importantly, come up with some ways you could be more honest and authentic with yourself. Acknowledge yourself for having the courage to do this! Being comfortable enough to show our true selves to the world means that when people love us, we know they really do love us for who we really are. And that sure feels good!
Copyright 2009 Anastasia Netri
Would you like to use this article in your publication? Feel free, just include the “About Anastasia” bio and do not change or alter this article in any way
About the Author
Anastasia Netri is a work and life balance coach, inspirational speaker, writer, and all around fun gal. She works with individuals, and also with small corporations (Up to 200 Employees) setting up work/life balance programs. She is certified through Coaching Academy of North America, and has also received training from the Coaches Training Institute in San Rafael, CA. She has also studied with countless teachers and mentors, and devoured hundreds of books on business and personal development. She brings a style that includes wisdom, elegance, humor, and humility to her programs, coaching, and speaking. Her website is www.anastasia-netri.com, you can visit for more information.
MY BOSTON- BIG SHUG – AUTHENTIC OFFICIAL VIDEO!!!!- feat. SINGAPORE KANE & TERMANOLOGY
|
|
Guinness Pub Glasses, Set of 4 $14.99 Luminarc Guinness Gold Logo Pint Glasses are a great addition to your glassware collection. Product Specifications … |
|
|
Molcajete – Authentic Mexican Mortar and Pestle $23.95 Our authentic Mexican mortar and pestle is handcarved of natural volcanic stone so it’s just the right shape and texture for grinding herbs, whole spices and rubs, and for mixing sauces and pastes. The molcajete is a must-have for Mexican cuisine including salsa and móle sauces. Each piece is unique, and a beautiful display item for the kitchen, too. Hand-wash. Handmade in Mexico. • Mortar: … |
|
|
Stainless Steel Masala Dabba Deluxe (Traditional Indian Spice Box by SimplyBeautiful) $16.23 A beautiful Indian spice box that now comes with two lids. Featuring one Stainless Steel Outer Lid with handle for easy open and close. Also features a clear inner lid with handle for easy access to all of your spices, and to maintain freshness. Each box contains seven stainless steel containers with two spice spoons. Please note: Does not include spices… |
|
|
Rabbit Fur Coat $8.85 Channeling the evocative storytelling of Laura Nyro and the soulful sexiness of Dusty Springfield, singer/songwriter Jenny Lewis skips all contemporary studio gimmickry to proffer a near-perfect solo debut. The front-woman for indie darlings Rilo Kiley breaks away from the songwriting democracy she shares with that band’s co-leader Blake Sennett (also of the Elected), drawing inspiration from the … |
|
|
Sounds of the Circus – Vol. 25 – Music For Clowns $12.15 Over one hour of authentic CIRCUS CLOWN MUSIC played by a band of 25 enthusiatic musicians. Used extensively by clowns, and well on its way to becoming the country’s No. 1 PARTY RECORDING…. |
|
|
Nobody In Nashville $12.99 Nobody In Nashville is Logan Mize’s debut album and the first release by Big Yellow Dog Music…. |
|
|
KA-BAR Full Size US Marine Corp Fighting Knife, Straight $48.99 ATTRIBUTES Blade Detail: Plain Edge Blade Length (inches): 7.00 Blade Material: Carbon Steel Black Carry System: Leather Sheath USMC Handle Material: Leather Disks Overall Length (inches): 11.88… |
|
|
WBM 7-Inch Tall Himalayan Natural Crystal Salt Lamp $18.40 Bring divine harmony to any room with this beautiful salt crystal lamp. Its therapeutic glow of orange hues infuses a natural calm bringing the mind and body to a gradual sense of tranquility and well being. Experience it for yourself, but wait this is not the only reason to have a salt crystal lamp. This lamp is scientifically proven to work like an air purifier and is often called-nature’s air p… |
|
|
Ames True Temper KPWB10 Real Tools For Kids Lil’ Wheelbarrow With Poly Tray $32.97 Ames KPWB10 Kids Lil’ True Temper Wheelbarrows, RedJust like Mom and Dad’s ¦ the Lil’ True Temper is a real wheelbarrow, sized just right for the kids. It’s perfect for the young gardener who wants to help Mom and Dad around the yard. The poly tray wont rust and the solid rubber tire never goes flat.Ames KPWB10 Kids Lil’ True Temper Wheelbarrows, Red Features:; Great for kids to help out in the y… |
|
|
Dragon Ball Z: Dragon Box One $59.98 The American reissue of the first Dragon Box includes the reference volume “The Dragon Book” and episodes 1 to 42–all of season 1 (the Vegeta saga) and the first three episodes of season 2 (the Namek saga) of the Dragon Ball Z series. (When the original Dragon Box was released in Japan in 2003, it contained episodes 1 to 147 of Dragon Ball Z, a Son Goku action figure, and the “Dragon Book”–all f… |
