“Only the truth of who you are, if realised, will set you free.” ― Eckhart Tolle
Superheroes are glorified. What makes them invincibly attractive? Their extraordinary ability to overcome odds and create salvation to those in need.
In the same way, reinvention makes us superheroes too. Okay, maybe let’s take it down a notch.
Reinvention reshapes our mindset, skills and the way we’ve done things to uniquely generate impact and value. Think of it as everyday heroism.
Regarding this uniqueness, I wanted to move away from conventional heroes. It’s more compelling to draw parallels within daily life.
Uncovering the importance of authenticity, its power and what happens when you’re not is valuable in reinvention. Let’s unearth why:
A. Self-belief
When you’re authentic, you have a healthy mix of confidence and ego. You strive for intrinsic success. You plan, organise and execute to maximise your potential. You aren’t trying to prove anything or receive validation.
Self-belief allows positive openness to opportunities whilst embracing challenges. Stoicism exists through acceptance and non-resistance. Learnings are taken abreast.
Michelle Gielan, positive psychology researcher explains the difference between optimists and realists. While both accept situations in life as they are, optimists believe they have the ability to change the outcome. Failure is not the end point.
B. True Purpose
Mastery, autonomy and purpose form the science of motivation according to Daniel Pink. Purpose comes from knowing our ‘whys‘ and making meaningful contribution. We believe our vision is true and therefore are utterly committed to achieving it.
Buying into a purpose that speaks to you on a higher level means there’s greater inclination to getting there. You begin to view problems creatively and step outside the proverbial box to solve with a different lens.
This is an important ingredient to reinvention.
External reasons or because you ‘have to’ are short lived. You hedge rather than taking ownership and putting in 110%. Things become a burden rather than uplifting. A chore rather than energising. Miserable not joyful.
C. Sustainability
Hard work is expressed as a key to success with the likes of having grit, perseverance and withstanding the grind.
However there is a delicate line between persistence and burnout.
Grinding away at something not true to yourself will result to plateauing. That’s because you’re targeting the ‘how’ or ‘what’ and not the ‘why’.
Simon Sinek’s top 20 TedTalk examines how leaders inspire action through “Why”. This example uses Apple products where the why — emotional, social, functional reasons are what people buy in not the physical product itself.
Reinvention is a marathon, therefore you need fuel to burn consistently to ride the journey.
D. Ability to say ‘No’.
Besides things that endanger of evoke fear, we say ‘yes’ to most people and encounters in life. ‘No’ is difficultly uncomfortable. One reason is due to satisfying the present rather then looking longer term.
Saying yes to opportunities, smart bets and calculated risk is vital in reinvention. However this should balance with a helpful dose of ‘no’.
Pleasing people, fear of rejection and needing to be accepted leads to inauthentic behaviours, actions and choices.
When we say no, we empower ourselves because our priorities, reasons and identity are kept in check. Excuses aren’t being made for what you decline.
Instead, you’re giving yourself the freedom and time to focus energy on all the things you should and can say ‘yes’ to.
Brené Brown quotes “(Authenticity is)… The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen”.
E. Beating Mediocrity
Mediocrity is depicted as going half-way up the mountain. You go up thinking it’s high enough, settling, without knowing there is a summit.
Inauthentic systems of belief and action holds back our potential. It’s a case of “keeping up with the Joneses” and “the grass is greener” mentality. We want alternatives because it appears attractive.
In my last post I mentioned “You won’t reinvent yourself doing what everyone else is doing”.
Why? Because of that very reason. Some else is already doing it. Cover bands will only ever be as good as the original played.
Casting aside market saturation or exponential change. You’ll probably give a half-assed attempt and give up because it’s too hard to stand out.
When we are authentic, it is “fun” as former Olympic champion turned entrepreneur Lewis Howes said. There’s flow and things get done. When things get done, we make progress.
My authentic power: Through the last year of self-reinvention I have often competed with the above 5 aspects many times. “Am I good enough?” “Will I be liked?” “What about me and person A/B/C”? “Should I do/study x,y,z because it appears to be a ‘skill of the future’?”.
I too receive advice of how and what I should do both professionally and personally.
Ultimately it’s up to my discretion. I will only ever be as good as proportionate to my efforts and passion. This also requires a level of self-love and dedication. Taking a stand, making a decision and going with it. No matter how hard.
Over the next few weeks I will unveil more of my current A/B situation as mentioned in my last post. Stay tuned!
