In our society, we're obsessed with talent, brilliance, and excellence. There always seems to be a new face redefining our definition of beauty, making us question our beliefs or pushing us to develop a new skill. On one day, being a professional ice-skater is the end-all-be-all, and the next, it is being a fashion designer. Preferences continue to change and are shaped by the successful face that is most popular at the time. While it's good to have goals to strive towards, and a clear image of what exactly you hope to become, being true to yourself seems to take a back seat.
There's a reason we're drawn to brilliance and talent; we want those same things for ourselves. We think if we follow a successful person's exact path, we will find the same success. What we overlook in successful people is their authenticity. To be authentic means to be real, genuine, and not a copy. Authenticity is one-of-a-kind and looks different on all people. Authenticity isn't a fad that only has a place on one magazine cover for a month; it's classic and withstands the test of time.
Even though authenticity takes on a different nature for each person, the common theme to being authentic is an undeniable sense of self. Being authentic doesn't necessarily mean you exude extreme confidence, but rather you carry yourself knowing exactly what makes you brilliant, what makes you excellent, what makes you, well, you. That's the piece of the success puzzle we always leave out: self-knowledge and self-awareness. People become the best at their job, sport, or musical talent because they know that's exactly what they're supposed to be doing.
Make no mistake, being completely authentic takes time. Everyone struggles with the question "Who am I?" at some point in their lives and always being true to yourself is hard to live out. Some people have their authenticity peak early on and for some it takes their entire life. No matter how long it takes you, there is no greater peace than knowing you are exactly where you are meant to be with yourself.
Authenticity isn't just internal, it is felt by every person you encounter. Your pure, authentic self radiates from your actions, words, and how you interact with others. It draws people in and that's when you realize you are that person you used to hope to become. Authenticity is dynamic and infectious. It overcomes obstacles, leaves no room for regrets, and supersedes any self-doubt. Authenticity is never boring and is acceptable at every occasion at any time.
And really, when it comes down to it, authenticity can be summed up in just a few words: you do you.
