A lot of people fear being themselves because they feel they won’t be liked or accepted.
But think about it…if someone likes you when you are living a lie, they may stop liking you when they discover the real you; because sooner or later, truth reveals itself.
By pretending to be someone you are not, just to be liked, you can have all the wrong people crowd around you.
Many of the most remarkable and successful people show that the benefits of being true to oneself and one’s beliefs far outpace those of simply aping everyone else’s values.
Warren Buffett invested more than 90 percent of his personal savings as a show of confidence when he was recruiting backers for one of his first investment partnerships in the early 60s. Buffet’s trust in himself, and willingness to put his own money and career on the line, are part of what has led to the success of his career.
Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton rented the same economy cars and stayed in the same economy hotels as his employees when he traveled for work. This gesture, which showed that Walton viewed himself as part of the team, rather than above his employees, contributed to the company’s growth and success.
If you want your success to be sustainable, if you want it to have a strong foundation, if you want it to have purpose and meaning, there is no other way than to be authentic.
For more tips on how to be authentic, read our latest book, ‘What You Seek is Seeking You by Azim Jamal & Brian Tracy.