Authenticity: Real, Genuine, YOU!
Deborah Horowitz, founder of Sunstone Evolutionary Coaching, visited the Get a G.R.I.P. with Coach Elix podcast to discuss the meaning and power of authenticity with Coach Elix and Steven the Medium. During the illuminating conversation, she explained what the word authentic means and why being a bona fide, genuine person is the foundation of every relationship.
Have you ever interacted with someone who you felt wasn't being real? We're not talking about whether they were telling the truth (although that's always important), but about how they presented themselves. Encounters with people who seem phony or behave contrary to who they claim to be can leave you feeling betrayed and cautious about any future interactions.
From the perspective that a lack of authenticity is detrimental to relationships, especially when people attempt to justify their problematic behavior by claiming it's "just who they are," Deborah defined authenticity and why it matters. With this understanding and her actionable advice for finding the freedom to be yourself, you can confidently pursue your passions and live a happier and more fulfilled life.
The Three Core Principles of Authenticity
At the risk of oversimplification, authenticity means being the same in every environment and interaction. Deborah broke it down further into three core components:
Consistent
Consistency is aligning your actions and words, being accountable for your behavior, and standing firm in your beliefs, even when you have an unpopular opinion, or you're dealing with someone who disagrees with you.
Insistent
Being insistent means articulating who you are, your principles, and your values. Insistence also means expressing yourself honestly, even when it's uncomfortable or not what someone wants to hear.
Persistent
Persistence means embodying and embracing the same spirit, traits, and core values over time, even if they are quirky or unusual. You don't change depending on who you're with or what they expect.
According to Deborah, a lack of authenticity weakens trust. On the other hand, being honest and revealing your vulnerability and flaws makes others feel more comfortable doing the same. When everyone feels comfortable being themselves, the possibilities for deeper and more meaningful connections increase exponentially.
Enjoy the Freedom to Be Yourself
Many people mistake authenticity for being charismatic or likable and manufacture a personality intended to attract others. However, being authentic and likable aren't mutually exclusive, so trying too hard to impress or get people to like you is counterproductive. Deborah also noted that being hurtful or manipulative while claiming to be true to yourself turns authenticity into a weapon and harms relationships.
So, are you an authentic person? Do others perceive you the same way in all situations? If not, develop your authenticity by being truthful, following your intuition, and practicing self-reflection and self-awareness so others can learn who you are and what you stand for and develop more accurate impressions.
Connecting with Deborah Horowitz
The G.R.I.P. Method
G.R.I.P. stands for "Greatness Requires Intention & Purpose," and many who have followed this method can attest to that. This strategy helps people find their goals, inspirations, and visions and execute them with clear intentions through planning, purpose, and integrity. It works with science and psychology to make dreams a reality.
It is a roadmap that guides you through struggles and hardships, with the final destination being the life you want to lead or the changes you wish to make. The G.R.I.P. Method offers a plan to go from fear to freedom and helps you break away from where past attempts did not work.
