In a world of hype and sensationalism, consumer perceptions can be seen as black or white, or in the case of authenticity, as real or fake. Nobody is attracted to a phony and consumers increasing crave doing business with someone genuine. Of course, craving authenticity is not just limited to business but in relationships in general be it personal or professional. It has become an extremely competitive environment with many different people offering the same products or services all targeting the same prospects. One can easily see how this model applies to seeking a mate or partner as well. The choices people make are influenced by their perceptions of how real an offering or individual can be. It’s not just the offering that’s important but equally the brand behind the offering as well as the person(s) behind the brand. If you are self-branding then the brand and the person are actually one perception. This gives you a real opportunity to stand out and differentiate yourself from the pack. If someone is duped into falling for something or someone which in the end is revealed as “fake”, that experience will ultimately end in regret and the search for genuineness will start a new.
It is therefore imperative when it comes to doing business (and in life) to be real, original, sincere and authentic. Non-authenticity can often be associated with ulterior motives that are not coming from a place pure of heart and any gain accumulated from this type of manipulative practice and lack of integrity will be short-lived and accompanied by fear of loss. The loss will be inevitable as a result of the ill-action as nothing gained in this way has any real permanence. Coming to terms with this self-defeating mind-set is nothing short of liberating when we realize that authenticity is supported by the laws of nature and therefore the universe. Not coming to this realization will repeatedly bring pain and grief.
So what does it mean to truly live an authentic life? Authenticity can be seen as a measure of the degree to which we are true to our own character, spirit and personality despite the pressures impressed on us by society. External forces and pressures from an increasing material world are often very different from a person striving to live in conscious alignment with their highest self or greatest good. People can often sense one’s motivation and whether that individual is truly coming from a place of selfishness or selflessness. In the case of authenticity, taking the road of selflessness will bring the greatest reward by actually attracting both the right people and ultimately affluence into your life. This is why the person that strives for authenticity gives considerably more than they take without expectations and the full knowledge that the fruits of their labor, while non-attached to them, will indeed blossom. Living authentically as it relates to the needs of your inner being will automatically be meet as we seek to offer people solutions and become problem solvers.
Now in order to fully understand what our true character, spirit and personality is in actuality, we must spend time engaged in a genuine effort to self-develop, self-inquire, and contemplate ones purpose and push beyond the shallow confines of ego and attachment. This is no small task. In an attempt to simply “be yourself”, we must determine which self we are actually referring to. I think it safe to say that most people are identified with their egoic self the majority of the time and not the higher self at all. This is why the process of becoming an authentic human being is something that unfolds as a byproduct of one’s individual quest for self betterment. As we naturally tap into our own authenticity as it is revealed to us, we will clearly have the insight into seeing others that are not coming from that pure place and even repel them. Contrarily, you will attract people who crave authenticity and even those you have yet to encounter will be drawn to you as well like a ship to a beacon of light.
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Nice blog. This is really a good article. Keep up the good work.
Boy, can you write. This is all so well-craftet, I wish I could write like that. I liked the last part of the article where you write about being authentic and for that reason repelling people, THAT is the hardest part, do come up with that courage. But this is that sentence that I liked the best.
(to quote you): Contrarily, you will attract people who crave authenticity and even those you have yet to encounter will be drawn to you as well like a ship to a beacon of light.