There\u2019s a lot of talk these days about being authentic, especially as it relates to your business. The question is: what exactly does that mean?<\/p>\n
Some business owners have taken this to mean they can say and do whatever they want to, because it\u2019s just them being authentic. Everyone\u2019s talking about it in different ways lately, but it seems everywhere you go, somebody\u2019s talking about being authentic.<\/p>\n
The dictionary defines authentic as \u201cthe quality or condition of being trustworthy or genuine.\u201d It also used words like genuine, real, and character.<\/p>\n
Being authentic is also about being who you claim to be. <\/p>\n
We\u2019ve all seen examples of public figures, athletes, celebrities and politicians who just weren\u2019t who they appeared to be and somehow, the true person you are always seems to come out.<\/p>\n
We all should be authentic, in our business and in our lives in general. It\u2019s really just the right thing to do. Do what you say you\u2019re going to do. Have character. Be genuine, real and trustworthy. We\u2019d all probably agree with that.<\/p>\n
The question then, is how far do you take this? For example, if you\u2019re a t-shirt and jeans kind of person, is that what you wear to an important business meeting so you can be authentic and true to yourself? That probably seems like a silly question to even ask, but if you look around you\u2019ll see that we\u2019re getting more and more casual all the time \u2013 many times in the name of being \u201cauthentic\u201d.<\/p>\n
Part of being authentic is respecting others around you and appreciating opportunities that are presented to you. Sometimes we do things out of respect for other people and not necessarily because it\u2019s what we would normally do. Is that compromising your authenticity? Not at all!<\/p>\n
Wearing a suit, dressing up a little more than normal, or going out of your way to be respectful has nothing to do with you being real and genuine. It\u2019s still you in the suit. It\u2019s still you showing character and genuine respect for others. It doesn\u2019t get more authentic than that. Being authentic is all about doing the right thing based on the situation you\u2019re in. That\u2019s real character.<\/p>\n
Be authentic with your clients, prospects, staff, friends and family. You owe it to yourself and to them to give them the best you have to offer. Doing that, while being one hundred percent yourself and who you are at your core, is the best possible way to give of yourself. They\u2019ll love you for it, you\u2019ll make a bigger impression, have longer lasting relationships and, in your business, you\u2019ll make a lot more money in the long run as well.<\/p>\n
Be you. Give them the real you. That\u2019s what they came for in the first place. They were attracted to do business with you based on something and more than likely, it was something about you.<\/p>\n
Be authentic in your marketing, in your business dealings, and in your life and watch your life soar.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
There\u2019s a lot of talk these days about being authentic, especially as it relates to your business. The question is: what exactly does that mean? Some business owners have taken this to mean they can say and do whatever they want to, because it\u2019s just them being authentic. Everyone\u2019s talking about it in different ways…<\/p>\n