“Authenticity is enjoying a new sense of freedom to be who you really are
– yourself, natural and without a mask.” Mike Robbins
When I speak and write about creating an authentic business I speak of a business that is in alignment with and reflects the mission, values and personality of YOU – the business owner. It is bringing who you are at your core – your values, beliefs, passions and unique gifts – to life and to your business and sharing them in a way that resonates with your truth. We are not meant to fit into cookie-cutter business or marketing molds that smother the essence of who we are.
You are meant to serve and connect with your audience and clients in a way that only you can – by being authentically you and allowing your business, products and services to reflect that. In today’s post I want to cover one of the numerous traps that many of us conscious entrepreneurs get caught in that can cause you to lose the connection with your authentic mission.
As solopreneurs we get so caught up in the busyness of ‘doing’ our business that over time we lose our connection with the inner wisdom and voice that gave us our business vision and inspired us to follow our passion. We get caught up in the do, do, doing of business that we stop putting precious time aside each day to stay connected to our Source of wisdom and guidance. As time goes on we become disconnected, disillusioned and become disconnected not only from our business vision but from our authentic selves.
Authenticity in Business holds the Key to Success
I believe that Authenticity is a universal principle that exists whether you acknowledge its existence or not. You see it in action all around you. Watch some children playing together – authenticity in action. I’m sure you’ve witnessed business owners, coaches and consultants with businesses that seem to grow without struggle and wonder how they are doing it.
There are no secret marketing tools that they used to attract that success – not success that lasts anyway! Each of us has access to the same marketing tools and formulas that they may have used. So, you wonder, what could it be that sets successful conscious entrepreneurs apart? The answer is that they have brought their authentic selves to their business and remain tuned into the Source of their wisdom and guidance. They find time each day to step away from ‘doing’ the business and concentrate on ‘being’ the business by allowing their unique, authentic voice and vision to come through.
When you are connected to your authentic mission you are connected to the Source that fuels your soul, giving you the energetic drive and spark to move forward with ease and grace. You’ve experienced it! Those moments when you are truly creative and lose track of time and things just flow- you’re connected. Those moments when all the doors to amazing opportunities continue to open – you are connected. I call it ‘being in the divine flow” but whatever you may call it you’ll know it when you’re in it.
Here is a partial list of insights and feelings that clients, mastermind partners and fellow entrepreneurs have shared with me to describe their feelings of being fully connected to their authentic mission:
- Being in the Divine Flow Everything flows with ease
- Synchronicities abound Living her Truth
- Found her sweet spot Excited about her work
- Attracts like-minded entrepreneurs Partnership opportunities open up
- Everything feels effortless Feels connected to her true purpose
- Feels much more Optimistic Feels more tuned into her truth
If you’re ready to experience those same feelings take time today and everyday to reconnect with your Source of inspiration. You already have all the answers you need to guide you in business and life once you turn inward. It is not possible to connect with your authentic mission when looking outward.
YOUR THOUGHTS MATTER!
Post your thoughts or share your feelings on how YOU feel when you are connected to your authentic mission. I love to hear from conscious entrepreneurs, coaches and consultants who are living and thriving authentically.
Stuart Young says
OK – this follows on from the comment I just left on your other post. I have been spending way too much time cerebrally trying to ‘figure’ stuff out. To understand the formula. To cleverly attract subscribers and give them the value and content they are looking for. But I forget to stay in touch with what I want to share. The doubt genie taps me on the shoulder and says: ‘Nobody wants to hear about that.’ OK, breathe, relax – I’m going to go and get myself a nice cup of tea and just sit for a while – I know that’s what usually works for me, why do I convince myself I don’t have the time for it???
Thanks for this timely post Linda. 🙂
LindaJoy says
Love your term ‘the doubt genie’ I think we’ve all met him/her at one time on our journey. Exactly Stuart, in the heart-centered paradigm it’s so important to stay tuned into your heart when connecting with your audience so that your messaging comes from your ‘true essence’ while at the same time ‘hearing’ and understanding the content your audience has come to your for. It’s so important that it is all cohesive with your truth (from website/emails/articles/every interaction) should be in alignment with the message you are here to deliver. It’s so easy to get caught up in the head and lose touch with your authentic voice. It’s so important to ‘take time for tea’ anytime you are feeling overwhelmed or confused on the next step because that’s a sign you are in your head and out of your heart. Thanks for sharing your thoughts so openly. You are not alone on this.
Abby Gardiner says
Great post. When a person can grow comfortable enough to be authentic in business, at home, in one’s personal life, ahhhh, everything slowly begins to make sense. To thine own self to be true. When you arrive at this state (and for me, it was a very long struggle in arriving) it is bliss. Thanks for this.
LindaJoy says
Abby
It’s been a journey for me too… but one that has been oh, so worth it! I see it as an unfolding, peeling back the layers of old wounds and stories until our true, loving, authentic self can shine brightly. And you’re right… when we are comfortable enough to allow our authentic self to led the way… everything seems to make sense. Blessings!
Peggy Nolan says
Hi Linda,
Awakening to my truth, my authenticity has been such a blessing. Ever since I made the conscious decision to stop tilting at windmills and looking outside of me for what will work in my business, the Universe is delivering in a huge way. She was just waiting for me to be outrageously clear.
Second star to the right. Straight on til dawn…
xo
Peggy
Andrea says
Linda ~
It took me a long time to pay attention to that awful feeling that comes when I’m caught up in the mechanics and the ‘shoulds’ of my work. I recoil from posts and tweets that are too ‘markety-y.’ I want to hear more from people than “buy my book or service.” I’m allergic to manufactured ‘best selling author’ status.
I may not be market-y enough… I provide good information and tools, maintain an authentic presence and (maybe not as quickly as I would like) connect with people who want what I have. Thanks for supporting that.
Shelley Lundquist (@letmemoveyou) says
Beautiful, Linda. The signs are always there and the Universe is waiting for for our wits to grow sharper and our courage to kick in. When we follow our purpose with passion, we do tap into the flow. It all starts coming together. What an incredibly joyful feeling that is! The whole world around us changes as we change.
And when we share our stories and our authentic selves, we inspire others to do the same. How incredible is that?
Every step i take in life is to honour who i am and to walk as Love through this world. I’m out of my comfort zone and following my dreams.
Chara says
Thanks for modeling this authenticity, Linda. I have learned a lot in the past year by watching how you work and how you encourage other women to work, serve, and be true to themselves. I’m starting to understand why people say that being in business for oneself is an intense spiritual path!
Debra Oakland says
I love that you are connecting business with our spiritual nature and authenticity. When we are tuned in and turned on to that energy we step away from doing the business to becoming the business, as you say. Our true Source is always there waiting for us to say YES!
Deserie says
Yes! Being authentic in business is one, if not the most, important thing to do! I’ve been working in this flow the last few months and it is SO JOYFUL!
Carmen Myrtis-Garcia says
Linda,
Wonderful post. Sometime we can feel lost among all the services that others offer. We get overwhelmed or even frustrated thinking that we are just a little person in a sea of professionals who have already paved their way and created successful businesses long before us. How can we succeed when we’re coming “late to the party”?
It is encouraging to keep in mind that each of us has our own talents and gifts. We may be offering the same types of services or writing the same genres of books as dozens, hundreds, or thousands of others are…but it’s our own unique personality, experiences, “authentic self” that sets each of us apart and provides opportunity for success. Being true to ourselves means we will attract the right people to our business.
Beth says
Hi Linda! Fabulous post! It also helps to have reminders to bring us back to our authenticity in life and in business. I love the list of insights and feelings you shared. I helps me to create this kind of list to know when I am in alignment and when I am out of it. Looking forward to reading more of your posts. Love & light, Beth.
Marguerite says
I love your explanation of authenticity in business as in all things in life. I find it most challenging not with strangers but with things like posting blog posts that get publicized on my facebook where my family and friends will see it. I realise it’s easier to be authentic with strangers, whereas with old friends and family you are sometimes choosing to stick in a well-worn, comfortable role and then your authentic blog content (or whatever you are sharing) jars them (and then you!).