The Fear Factor – A feeling of distress, apprehension, or alarm caused by impending danger, pain, etc. That is the definition of the fear factor. The questions then becomes, how did we develop this fear factor around showing up as our authentic selves? Where does that come from? AND How do I overcome it? We know it’s important to show up as your authentic self for many reasons: 1. It builds the all important trust and credibility 2. It has a significant impact on our personal satisfaction and happiness and 3. It fosters meaningful but more importantly genuine relationships. The questions then remain – WHY & HOW?
We learned in my prior article, Authenticity, Your Superpower, that two things are necessary in order for authenticity to exist. 1. You must be speaking the truth AND 2. You must actually believe what you are saying. It is not enough to say that you show people the real you; you actually have to believe that it is the real you. Authenticity plays a huge role in both personal and professional growth. From the personal perspective, it means that you are able to embrace who you are and you allow yourself to think, feel, and behave in ways that algin with your values and beliefs. This promotes self-acceptance, boosts self-esteem, and contributes to an overall positive mental well-being. From a professional perspective, it fosters trust and stronger relationships. People know what to expect from you and that consistency drives credibility and your reputation. How about a bonus? Authenticity can also fuels your passion and drive leading to higher levels of motivation, productivity, and success! That was the case for me!
Understanding The Nature of Fear and Its Impact On Authenticity
As we all know, fear can greatly impact one’s ability to be authentic. It can lead to self-doubt and cause us to hide our true selves. It can make one conform to societal expectations and norms, rather than expressing their true thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. Individuals may present themselves in a way that they believe is expected rather than who they really are leading to a lack of authenticity. What are some common fears associated with being authentic?
😱 Fear of judgement or rejection from others
😱 Fear of not being accepted or liked if they show their true self
😱 Fear of vulnerability – being authentic involves taking risks and stepping outside of your comfort zone
😱 Fear of conflict or upsetting others – expressing one’s true thoughts and feelings might not always align with those of others….and that’s okay!
Which brings us back to the question posed above – how do we overcome the fear factor?
1️⃣ Understand Your Fear:
Understand the roots of whatever fear you are feeling. Reflect on the reasons behind your reluctance to show your true self. Were there specific moments that put this fear in place for you? Why? Are you afraid of judgement, rejection, or failure? Allow yourself to challenge and change fear-based thought patters.
2️⃣ Embrace Imperfection:
Authenticity is NOT about perfection; its about being REAL. Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone has flaws. Allow yourself to release the unrealistic expectations you may be placing on yourself. Allow yourself to release the lies you have been telling yourself about your fears. Acknowledge that you are a work in progress. It’s natural to have vulnerabilities, fears, and to be imperfect. Don’t let the belief of having to be perfect get in the way of being good or even great!
3️⃣ Stand for Your Values & Beliefs:
If everyone likes you, you don’t stand for anything. I heard that phrase several years ago and it still resonates with me today. Not everyone is going to like you, not everyone is going to like what you put out into the world and that is OKAY. If you have strong values and core principals in place, negative reactions to you will not deter you. Get real with what truly matters to you and then align your actions and decisions based on your values. You will find that a sense of purpose and alignment with that purpose will outweigh your fears of showing up as the real you.
4️⃣ Find Others:
Surround yourself with others that celebrate authenticity and encourage people to be their true selves. Doing this will allow you to express your true self without fear of judgment or rejection. It promotes a culture of honesty, openness, and respect for individuality. Being around other people who value authenticity will inspire and motivate you to do the same AND its the perfect place to practice doing that in an accepting environment.
5️⃣ Just send it:
Step outside of your comfort zone and allow yourself to be surprised by all the positive that comes. Authenticity is a journey of personal growth and learning. The more you grow as an individual, the more authentic you will become. It’s a natural evolution.
Overcoming the fear factor will bring you a multitude of benefits. It allows you to live a more fulfilling and meaningful life because you are true to your own beliefs, values, and ideas rather than conforming to societal pressures or expectations. It leads to more self-confidence because you are no longer hiding the parts of you that make you who you are. Authenticity also enhances relationships because people trust those who are genuine and real. Don’t forget the bonus sense of peace you will feel because you are living and acting in alignment with your true self. Does it get any better than that? I encourage you to take the journey to align with your true values and beliefs. I encourage you to overcome the fear factor by dispelling the fears you have around showing up as your true, authentic self.
I encourage you to JUST SEND IT and be 🫵YOU🫵!
