Let Go of Phony and Be Yourself

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”

~Dr. Suess

In other words, be yourself. Be authentic. When you are being yourself, others know you are authentic. They can accept for who you are, or not. The point is that when you act in an authentic way, people who do accept you are accepting the "real" you, instead of someone you are pretending to be. The problem with pretending is that people can see through the phoniness. Even if they buy your phony routine, ultimately you won't be able to maintain it. The real you will shine through at some point or another. And if someone has believed you to be someone else, they end up feeling betrayed and angry.

This week: Experiment with being yourself. Let your guard down and express your authentic self in at least two different settings. Notice what happens. Do you have more fun? Is there less pressure? How do others accept you? Notice how good it feels when someone accepts you for your "real self."

Linda Pucci, Ph.D. is a psychologist, life coach and expert in helping people reach their goals and overcome the obstacles that block their dreams. Sometimes those obstacles are the ways we sabotage ourselves, pretending to be someone we are not. For more information about her services and some free resources, go to http://www.innerresourcecenter.com/ .

Being Authentic Creates the Climate for Success

"So often we wait for the climate and conditions in life to be perfect before we feel safe enough to step forward, trust, and be our authentic selves. What we don't realize is that in order to create the ideal climate we are waiting for, we must be authentic first."

~Sonia Choquette

Many people are reluctant to be their authentic selves. They are afraid they won't be accepted or liked. They often hold back, and think that they will wait until they have reached a greater level of success; then show others who they really are. They don't realize that by being authentic first, they can attact greater success.

This week: Take a chance on being authentic in some situation where you might ordinarily hold back. Notice what happens. Are you able to begin to build a more authentic relationship with someone? Isn't it likely that this authentic relationship will ultimately bring you greater success? And the success will be sweeter because it is achieved by an AUTHENTIC YOU!

Linda Pucci, Ph.D. is a psychologist, life coach and certified trainer at Inner Resource Center, LLC. She helps people discover (or develop) their inner resources for a life of greater meaning, success and happiness. For more information, go to http://www.innerresourcecenter.com/

Practice Being Authentic

"Insist on yourself, never imitate."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

We hear the word "authentic" bandied about frequently. What is really means is the art of being true to yourself. Many of us hide behind social facades, fearful of letting anyone know the "real" person we are. Maybe the fear is that we won't be accepted for our true selves. The reality is that you are more likely to meet people who you can have meaningful relationships with when you are yourself, as opposed to pretending to be someone else.

This week: Practice being yourself. You don't have to reveal all the intimate details of your life, but show the world who you really are at least in some single social situation or with some trusted friend. Notice how it feels. Although it might feel uncomfortable at first, the more you do it, the less difficult it will become. Really. Often what stops us from being ourselves is a fear that others won't accept us or will judge us. Give yourself an opportunity this week to find out that others are too preoccupied with what YOU will think about them to jump into a judgment about you.

Linda Pucci, Ph.D. is a psychologist, life coach and trainer at Inner Resource Center, LLC. She has 30 years experience helping people find their true, authentic selves by getting rid of the emotional clutter of negative emotions and limiting beliefs formed from past experiences. For more information go to http://www.innerresourcecenter.com/ .