Build Self Confidence by Being Authentic

By Mary Sarah Nassali

The craze for acceptance and human validation can push people to do what they would normally not. There is just that urge to always fit into the stereotypes that have been set as standards in society.

 Conforming to societal standards may not entirely be wrong if those standards are good and acceptable. However, conforming to standards against your beliefs and values is not advisable.

Bending yourself and trying to fit in will only cause you to lose a part of your authentic self every time. In no distant time, you’ll start to suffer an identity crisis and eventually be frustrated at what you do. Whatever you do, staying true to yourself is the best bet for success.

Being Authentic to Yourself

Being authentic to yourself means being real and true to yourself, and it is the act of standing by your firm beliefs and values in every situation.

 To be authentic to yourself, you should be able to speak up and respectfully share your opinions. However, striving to be authentic should not be an excuse to be rude or mean to others. Authenticity also comes with pursuing things you are passionate about and standing for them.

 Staying true to yourself may not be the easiest thing for professionals in a work setting where everyone is required to act in a certain way. The same will certainly be required of you, and it may be difficult to achieve.

Benefits of Staying True to Yourself

As a professional, staying true to yourself has quite many benefits for you, and they include:

Gives you Confidence

Being authentic is a great sign of self-confidence. The knowledge of who you are and the confidence in your ability will allow you to speak freely and share your ideas at all times.

However, there are some workplaces where it is almost impossible to be one’s self, and thus one has to put on a different identity to stay constant. This indicates that one is in the wrong work setting and may need to strive for a change.

Fulfillment and Satisfaction

Being yourself comes with great fulfillment for yourself and your work, and it allows you to enjoy what you do and produce great results while at it.

 Work almost doesn’t feel like a chore; rather, it feels like a leisure activity. Being authentic will ensure that your interests and work align with this, creating excitement and optimum performance at work.

Leadership

Being true to yourself will not only build the confidence you have in yourself and build the confidence others have in you.

 Authenticity creates room for trust and loyalty as people are drawn to those who can exude confidence and boldness.

Whenever any leadership position arises, people tend to gravitate toward authentic individuals.

Conclusion

Authenticity first starts with self-awareness and emotional intelligence; gaining proper insight into who you are will aid you in standing out.

 Learning how you react to situations or certain forms of pressure is also needed to understand your person properly. So decide to be you and be the best version of yourself. You’ll most certainly be on your way to greater heights.

Mary Sarah Nassali, is the Strategy & Performance Director at Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, Central Region