I recently attended a conference where an associate, Mark, was one of the keynote speakers. Anyone who knows Mark has at one point in time or another said, "Mark is one of the most authentic people I know." He is that type of person people just love to be around because he values people and relationships; even a moment with a stranger has the potential to gift him in some way. Ironically, in his keynote address, he spoke about what it means to be authentic. It was his keynote that has prompted me to sit down and write this article. (I apologize to you, my faithful readers, for not publishing a newsletter in October. I have no excuse, other than I completely forgot about it!) But I digress... on with the topic of authenticity!

Authenticity --- what is it?

When an object is deemed authentic it means the object is actually and exactly what is claimed; nothing more and nothing less. Thus, authenticity is the quality and condition of being authentic, trustworthy, or genuine (American Heritage Dictionary, 2009). It's pretty easy to identify an authentic object; when we talk about authentic people is it that easy? Let's see...

• Authentic people talk the talk and walk the walk.
• Authentic people are not afraid to show you who they are.
• Authentic people are without guile... they have no pretence.
• Authentic people don't build themselves up to appear better nor do they put themselves down to appear worse.
• Authentic people are secure with themselves (quirks and all!).
• Authentic people know their strengths and use them appropriately
• Authentic people are aware of their weaknesses and they know when those weaknesses come into play.
• Authentic people are approachable and respectable.
• Authentic people know their mission in life, their place in the world, and they fill it with joy.

Another definition of authentic I came across is "self-authored." I had to stop and think about that for a minute as I wasn't really sure what "self-authored" meant. My take on it, is that "self-authored" means everyone has their own authentic self. It comes down to living your life according to your values, your ethics, your goals, your personality, your beliefs, your attitudes, and your behavior. If each and every one of those things is aligned and congruent, you should be leading an authentic life.

The Eccentric Family Member

Sitting here writing about authentic people, I can't help but think of my great Aunt Joyce. When I was younger I just thought she was the crazy old aunt that every family had. You know that person who is kind of whacky...not quite up to date... kind of out there... rather eccentric; and you always missed her if she wasn't at a family function. As I grew up, I really appreciated Aunt Joyce's humor, personality, and attitude.

Aunt Joyce was the most quirkiest, often inappropriate, funniest, nuttiest, genuine people I've ever known. Aunt Joyce was a legend! She was also a relentless teaser --- she got a real charge out of teasing people (always with a kind heart) and she could take it as well as she could give it. You couldn't get much by Aunt Joyce -- she would always call you out if she caught you doing or saying something you shouldn't be doing or saying.

Several years ago, one Sunday a small group of family and friends went to brunch. I had warned a couple of my friends about Aunt Joyce and that she was a bit nutty and could very likely offend them with her teasing. An hour later, Aunt Joyce had a couple new fans --- everyone loved her; nuttiness and all. Aunt Joyce epitomized authenticity --- she didn't care what other people thought, she was not afraid to show everyone (and I do mean everyone) who she was, in all her teasing she never put anyone down, I think her mission in life was to create a thousand smiles and she did that in droves by being nothing but herself and making no apologies for it.

Coaches Corner

How might your life be different if you were more authentic? What can you do on a regular basis to increase your authenticity, trustworthiness, and integrity? What are your personal values and beliefs? How do you stay true to your values and beliefs in what you say, how you live, how you work? What might you change in order to make your values, your ethics, your goals, your personality, your beliefs, your attitudes, and your behavior more congruent with your authentic self?

What's stopping you from achieving all that you can? Seyfarth Diversified Strategies was found on the belief that every individual has the ability, and can become empowered to be all he/she is capable of becoming. A day, a life, a company, can be changed by understanding and affecting the attitudes, thoughts, and beliefs that drive goals and lead you to success. For more information, check us out: http://www.SeyfarthDiversified.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michelle_Seyfarth