Heidi Ames’ Post

Why ‘authenticity’ is overrated (and what to focus on instead) Authenticity is great. Nothing new, we hear it everywhere. But being in control of how others perceive you (when possible) matters just as much (or dare I say more). Because here’s the truth: ➡ If you don’t shape your own story, someone else will do it for you. And what they fill those gaps with might not reflect who you truly are. So, the question is: How do you want to be seen? What message are you sending in how you present yourself, your work, and your values? The gap between who you are and how you’re perceived is where misunderstandings happen. Which can lead to missed opportunities. But how do we manage perception? 1.  By aligning our actions and words with the message we want to send. 2.  By staying authentic but intentional in how we present ourselves. 3. By clearing up misunderstandings quickly (trusting our intuition on this - if we sense something’s ‘off’ it likely is). When we do our best to help others see who we really are, we enable them to let go of the story they have in their heads. You don’t have to be someone you’re not — you just have to be deliberate about the image you project. ⚡ And here’s my big disclaimer… anyone who doesn’t respect and accept the version of you that you know you are might be someone to start moving away from. ❓ How do you manage how others see you?

Everyone tells you to "be authentic" → But what does that even mean? We’re constantly told to “be authentic,” but no one really breaks down what that looks like in our daily lives. → Is it about sharing every thought that crosses your mind? → Is it about being brutally honest at all costs? → Or is it just another buzzword that’s lost its meaning? In reality, authenticity is about: → Knowing your core values and living by them, even when it’s tough → Dropping the masks you wear to fit into roles that don’t serve you → Allowing your true self to be seen, flaws and all But here's what usually happens: → You play the role everyone expects, suppressing the real you → You chase success, thinking it will make you feel fulfilled → You live someone else’s dream, while your own gets buried deeper each day Being authentic isn’t about sharing your every thought or detail; it’s about aligning your actions with who you truly are. So, how can you embrace true authenticity? → 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 - What are your non-negotiables? What do you really stand for? → 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘆 - Stop doing things that conflict with your values, even if they seem "necessary" → 𝗔𝗰𝘁 - Take one step today to live more aligned with your true self The journey to authenticity is ongoing, but it’s worth every step. You don’t have to figure it out alone. Let’s connect and find your path together. I'm just a DM away... ♻️ Please repost if this resonates with you.

Authenticity is key. Your clients want the real you. Show your personality. Share your journey. Be honest about your struggles. Connect on a deeper level. Vulnerability builds trust. Stand out by being yourself. Don't mimic others. Your unique voice matters. Let your values shine through. Embrace your flaws. They make you relatable. Remember, people buy from people.

What does it mean to be 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜? 🤔 Can you tell that you are 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟, your values and what you believe in? 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐨? 🎱 Authenticity is not only about knowing yourself. It is about your ability to internalise the external experience and learn from it. It is about understanding others and accepting their authentic selves. It is about managing the external influence to stay true to yourself. Lastly, it is about personal and social integrity. Develop your Authentic Intelligence, and don't settle for less. Be unique, be yourself. 🙌 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 💌 to make the world a bit more 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜.

When you’re authentic, there’s no image to maintain. Whatever they think about you - won’t change you and won’t shake your confidence in who you are. Plus, authenticity builds trust quickly. Be yourself and the people who are meant to be in your life will find you. And the people who don’t like you will stay away too. It might feel uncomfortable at first, to let the world know who you really are. But it’s the right move; be true to yourself—confidence and trust will naturally follow.

How to actually be as Authentic as you think you are Authenticity is the thread that weaves our true selves into the fabric of existence. But how do we know if we're staying true to our authentic path? Today, we delve into four profound signs. 🚦 Inconsistent Actions: The Alignment Challenge 🚦 Authenticity thrives in the harmony of our actions with our inner truths. If inconsistency disrupts this harmony, it's a sign to pause, reflect, and realign. 😶 Suppressing Emotions: The Unspoken Truth 😶 Authenticity calls us to embrace our emotions fully. Suppressing them distances us from our genuine selves. It's time to let those feelings flow freely. 🙌 Seeking Approval: The Quest for Self-Acceptance 🙌 Constantly seeking external validation can divert us from our authentic journey. Authenticity finds its roots in self-acceptance, not in the approval of others. 🤷♂️ Ignoring Intuition: The Inner Beacon 🤷♂️ Our intuition often knows the way forward. Yet, ignoring its guidance can lead us astray from authenticity. It's time to trust and follow our inner compass. As we navigate these signs, let's remember that authenticity is not a fixed destination but a lifelong journey. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward embracing the beauty of our true selves.

Everyday we need to take an approach in life that represents our authentic self. We all fall into the trap of acting as a different person or “pretending” to be something that we are not. Either way, intentional or not, acting inauthentic will send us down a path that doesn’t align with who we really are. CHECK OUT THE FULL BLOG WITH THE LINK BELOW! https://lnkd.in/gmpNqQEC

Stop forcing it. When you’re genuinely yourself, you attract the right people and opportunities—no manipulation required. Authenticity resonates more than any pretense. Let your real self take the lead and watch the right connections and situations find you. It’s simple: be real, and things will align.

The great conflict between authenticity and attachment Authenticity is the desire to know and be yourself But it gets muddied pretty early on by it’s arch rival, attachment - a survival need to connect, belong and be accepted And even more joyful - the way we attach is pretty much determined from birth, depending on how your bonds were created with your primary care giver (usually your Mum) Decades on - the need to be accepted often feels at odds with the desire to be your true self Because you learned that your true self was too much, or not enough - or a heady mix of the two So you moulded yourself to fit Learnt that perfect was the goal Hid the parts that you believed were less than And went out of your way to keep others happy so you didn’t get thrown out of the tribe It served you well - but you lost a part of yourself in the process And now you look at yourself and you aren’t entirely sure who YOU are What you want Or how to do this crazy thing called life on YOUR terms We ALL experience the tension between authenticity and attachment And when you get to the point where you are done people pleasing and want to do things your way - there’s a gap to bridge back to you Step one is reconnecting with YOUR voice and feeling empowered and capable to use it Want to learn the HOW so you can embody the actual steps needed to make this a reality? (FREE LIVE WORKSHOP) Join my FREE Find Your Voice workshop LIVE to * remove the gap between who you are and who you think you should be * feel confident and empowered to use YOUR voice * grow YOUR capacity to be seen and heard, no matter the situation The world needs ALL of you - sign up below and let’s make this happen

The SPANE scale, combined with the Universal Law of Attraction and the importance of being authentic, forms a powerful approach to both life and business. The SPANE scale focuses on five key qualities: 💡 Sincerity 💡 Presence 💡 Authenticity 💡 Novelty 💡 Engagement It helps us evaluate and improve how we connect with others, aiming for genuine interactions. The Universal Law of Attraction suggests that positive thinking attracts positive outcomes. When we align this optimistic mindset with our actions, we're more likely to succeed and form meaningful relationships. Authenticity is about being true to ourselves and honest in our dealings. This honesty not only builds trust but also makes us more appealing to others, whether in personal relationships or business ventures. Together, these concepts encourage us to foster sincere connections, maintain a positive outlook, and be genuine. This strategy not only leads to personal satisfaction but also drives professional success.