I’ve just finished watching American Idol with my kids and it just dawned on me that, no matter how good someone’s voice is, they don’t win unless they are authentic with their style, their song choices and their performance.
Authenticity is the one personal characteristic you have total control. No matter how bright you are, how well you do your job or how well you follow directions, you can’t feel like a true winner until you are behaving in a genuine and authentic manner.
Think about the times when you felt the most whole, the most excited and the most yourself. My guess is it wasn’t because you were simply doing what everyone expected of you or following orders. When you are being authentic, you are operating out of your strengths, your passions and your true self.
If you’re feeling drained or bored with any area of your life, take a closer look and see if you’re being authentic and coming from a place of true self.
Perhaps everyone says you are fabulous at your job, but a part of you feels empty. Perhaps you’ve taken aptitude tests and it directs you to a certain profession, but it just doesn’t feel right. Or perhaps you’re with someone that looks good on paper, but just doesn’t seem like a good fit.
That emptiness or sense of “something’s missing” is an important clue that something needs to shift. To feel totally fulfilled, your work and your relationships need to come from a place of authenticity, no matter what they may look like from the outside.
The challenge is that only you can decide what truly works for you. It’s an internal feeling or sensation that tells you it’s working or it’s not. If you’re not used to listening to your own intuition, it may take some practice, but it’s worth it!
No matter what the contest, relationship or career, authenticity wins!
Everyone can’t be American Idols, but you can certainly make your life “your own” and be your own winner! Go for it!
