The Importance of Authentic and Purposeful Living

Apr 3

By Amanda Da Silva, B.Hkin, B.Ed, and M.Ed

5-minute read

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary." -Steve Jobs

We often find ourselves shifting from one role to another in our lives.

We wear many hats daily depending on what context we’re in and what is expected of us in that particular context. As we move from our home to the office to varying social settings, adhering to the standards of each role can be quite exhausting. This makes it even harder to be authentic and true to our purpose, values, and goals.

The Importance of Authentic and Purposeful Living⤵

Sometimes we must tweak those versions of ourselves to the point where we can’t really tell where the facade ends, and our true identity begins.

We leave part of ourselves each time we enter a new setting.

This is especially true for those who work in very professional fields or companies. Company culture is a key element in determining how we act at work. It may push us to conduct ourselves in a certain way to fit in.

What we fail to realize is that this authenticity deficit prevents us from honoring our true selves. As a result, we feel a deep disconnection between what we think, how we feel, and what we do. This leads us to feel unfulfilled and frustrated.

The misalignment between who we are and what we communicate to the world about ourselves causes us to alienate our purpose. Subsequently, we struggle to find meaning in all that we engage in.

Taking the example of a lie detector or polygraph test, scientists can know whether someone isn’t being truthful by examining vital signals like blood pressure, breathing patterns, heartbeat, etc. When an individual lies, this creates stress in the body because of changes in physiological responses like increased perspiration, faster heartbeat, and higher blood pressure.

I imagine being inauthentic and suppressing certain parts of who we are can generate similar stress responses in the body.

We know that leaders who act from a place of authenticity, trust, and integrity are able to create positive outcomes for themselves but also for the people they lead. While honoring your true self can be challenging at first, the benefits that come with embracing authenticity are paramount.

So why is authenticity so important?

● Confidence: When you are authentic to your identity and values, you’re confident in your internal standpoint as well as the work you do. Not wearing a mask allows you to speak freely and without restraint. You are also able to trust your judgment when it comes to making difficult or high-stakes decisions.

● Happiness and fulfillment: Being rooted in authenticity means you can enjoy what you’re doing on a daily basis. When who you are and what you do are aligned with your core values and purpose, you feel genuine satisfaction in each of the roles you assume. You also find excitement in all aspects of life, no matter how challenging they might be.

● Connections and relationships: Embodying authenticity emphasizes your sense of trustworthiness and honesty. These elements facilitate establishing bonds and connections with others. Being your true self allows you to build and sustain strong relationships based on transparency and mutual respect. As you grow more comfortable with sharing your true self, your spontaneity and ability to open up also improve. As a result, others also feel more inclined to do the same with you.

●Success: Living in alignment with your values and following your passions means more success down the line than if you were involved in ventures, you don’t enjoy or feel detached from. Authentic passion is a powerful driving factor in accomplishing your goals. Working or living in an environment that ignites your motivation and enthusiasm will leave you feeling eager and excited to achieve more.

Conclusion

Authenticity inspires respect, commitment, and loyalty.

This is an essential trait that everyone should strive to cultivate.

Not only does being authentic allow you to live a life in true alignment with your values and purpose but it also supports your journey towards fulfillment. If you are interested in figuring out who your authentic self is, you can join my Discover Your Purpose course, or try the one-on-one coaching options I offer.

My main mission is to chart a route for you to become who YOU want to be.

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Discover Your Purpose Course

To help you identify your core values and create an action plan to find meaning and congruence, I designed a values-based, content-rich, course. I can’t wait to guide you through an exciting journey towards a better, more emotionally resilient you! 💞