How to Stay Authentic

In a client session recently we got talking about Brené Brown’s idea of an authenticity mantra. An authenticity mantra is something we say to ourselves when we notice we are triggered by shame, or we feel we are being pulled in all different directions to be someone we’re not.

Our authenticity mantra helps us to stay in our authenticity to stay true to who we are.

Be vulnerable. Get uncomfortable. Be present with people without sacrificing who you are.

Brené Brown

Brené’s wisdom here is similar. Be vulnerable with someone you trust, get uncomfortable, but stay true to who you are. Don’t get uncomfortable and present with someone who makes you feel like you can’t be your true self. As you’re sharing there may be times when you feel you have to start being someone else so the person still likes you or still wants to listen to your story – it’s in those moments that we may need to say our authenticity mantra, to help us stay true to who we are.

Ask yourself – “what could my authenticity mantra be?”

To give you an example, my mantra is “the outcome of this situation does not define who I am”, or in this scenario it might be “what that person is thinking doesn’t define who I am”.

Brené’s authenticity mantra is “Don’t shrink, don’t puff up, stand your sacred ground”.

Other examples include “stop, breathe, it will be OK” or “I can do this, I can do this, I can do this”.

What do you do or say to yourself to help you stay in your authenticity? Or what could you do or say to help you stay authentic? Write down some options today and take action.

Take Care on the Journey!