Tag Archive for: joy

What’s it like to live authentically?

What’s it like to live authentically?

When asking people their experience of living authentically and inauthentically, they describe living when not being themselves as “Exhausting,” “Depressing,” “Sad,” “Stressful,” “Lonely,” “Disengaged,” “Empty,” “Lost.”

When asked what it’s like to live accepting of yourself, responses include: “Happy,” “Confident,” “Joyous,” “Free,” “Inspiring,” “Appreciative,” “Alive,” “Fulfilled.”

When we create places that support people to work and live true to themselves, we create work that’s meaningful. They lose all track of time at work and make a massive contribution to the organization.

What are you doing to create authentic workplaces, where people contribute in a way that is aligned with their authentic self – their “sweet spot?”

Authenticity brings peace, power, and purpose into our lives and leadership.

A research project posed two questions to a randomly selected group:

  1. What’s it like to live your life and not be the real you? Responses included: Exhausting, depressing, sad, stressful, lonely, disengaged, empty, and lost.
  2. What’s it like to accept yourself? Responses included: Happy, confident, joyous, free, inspiring, appreciative, alive, fulfilled.

Who would you prefer for a boss or colleague: An authentic person who is at peace with themselves or an inauthentic person who isn’t?

Leadership is truly about PRESENCE, not position.

Congratulations Hayley, for finishing – and excelling! – in the Chicago marathon this past weekend.

You are my hero – not because of your amazing time, but because of the way you trained for and ran this race.

You persevered through many setbacks this past year to maintain your training and live this dream.

You ran a smart race. You ran 25 minutes faster than your marathon last year.

You found JOY in the experience. You had fun. You encouraged others.

I truly wish I had your mindset and spirit when I was competing.

Keep running. Keep living your dreams. Keep making a difference.