#authenticity challenge
On Monday, during my appearance on 93.1 with TJ and Lisa, I declared the #authenticitychallenge. For the next 21 days, which is how long it takes to form a new habit, join us in consciously making the choice to show up as yourself every day—to be consciously authentic.
What does being consciously authentic mean?
About a year ago, I took an online course with Brene Brown, the leading researcher on the topic of authenticity. Over the past year I have been on my own journey each day to show up as Cindra Kamphoff. The real Cindra Kamphoff.
I have come to see authenticity as a foundation to performance. I have always believed that it is difficult to be at your best if you are in your own head, worried about what others will think. In the past year, I’ve felt this power—the power of letting go and embracing authenticity.
Brene says that authenticity is not something we either have or don’t have. It is a practice. A conscious choice of how we want to live each day. This collection of choices includes how we interact with each other. The choice is ours to show up, be real and be honest with ourselves and others.
This journey to be authentic is a daily practice of letting go of who we think we are supposed to be and embracing who we really are. This daily practice of embracing who we are can reduce our anxiety, depression, negativity and all of the other garbage that goes on in the six inches between our ears.
For me, that means letting go of prime and proper Cindra with a Ph.D. and embracing who I am. The true Cindra Kamphoff—passionate, kind, loving, and a ball of energy. The Cindra who cheers for others she runs by on her morning run and gives them high fives at 7 a.m.
What does that mean for you? Who is it that you need to embrace? Who do you need to let go of?
According to Brene’s research, only a small percentage of people consciously practice being authentic daily. Let’s be part of this small percentage!
I don’t know about you, but I can tell when I interact with this small percentage of the population that is consciously practicing authenticity. They shine. Their energy is contagious. By showing up as themselves, they remove the barrier that sometimes exists when we interact with others. You feel their presence. They are real.
Being authentic also means being courageous despite our imperfections. No one is perfect. And being authentic means we embrace being imperfect.
If you are like me, practicing authenticity daily can feel daunting. It takes courage, guts and the belief we are enough just the way we are. When you don’t beat yourself up over mistakes you’ve made, a weight is lifted off your shoulders. You can be happier, healthier and more of you.
This the most courageous battle you will fight, to show up as YOU and ONLY YOU.
My challenge for you today:
WILL you join me in my journey of consciously practicing authentically daily?
To let the world see the true you and only you? To be who you really are?
If so, share your experience showing up authentically below and share the challenge with others that may want to JOIN THE RIDE.
And if you want to listen to the challenge I declared on 93.1 with TJ and Lisa, listen here.