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The Authentic You

Authenticity is not something we think or talk about every day. It is something we all need for ourselves and to truly connect and have meaningful interactions with others. Anyone on the #improve2019 journey is looking to either improve themselves or to be the guiding light for another person on the journey. Without authenticity, the fruits of labor are bitter. They are not satisfying, but meaningless. The fruits grow are wants in the world, but are not what we truly need.
 
Authenticity starts with the self. It means we are first to be honest with ourselves, good or bad. It means taking a hard look in the mirror and owning our faults. Are we trying too hard or not enough? Are we speaking and not acting? Do our actions match our intentions?  These are the questions we need to ask ourselves and to really ponder. After we have truly done the recognition and have taken the steps we need to improve, we can really look to helping others doing the same.
 
Authenticity is the reason we do not hear when others try to guide us. Someone may be trying to help you, but truth hurts. We don’t hear truth and instead live in our perfect self-image bubble. Beyond the words someone is speaking to you, authenticity is needed to be successful. In the land of workforce development, social services, or any avenue of service to others, authenticity is necessary to establish credibility. As people, we want credible guides and experts. Some people associate credentialing with credibility and this is why many seek experts over friends and family.
 
Once you are authentic and credible, you can truly earn the respect of another person. Earning respect comes first with respecting yourself. Respecting yourself and your journey, not settling for anything less than what is true to your heart and soul with allow you be authentic and credible. After you respect yourself, you can earn the respect of others.  Authenticity releases your credibility and births respect.
 
The year of #improve2019 is halfway over and it does not take a summer vacation. Half way to the end of year is a check in point. As you check in on your personal voyage or the journey of another, start with honesty, authenticity, and the rest will follow.

 ~Karen J. Cirincione
Email: kcirincione@gmail.com
Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/karenjcirincione
Twitter: @kcirincione

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