10 Ways to Live an Authentic Life
I have been thinking a lot about what an authentic life is, and how I can live it. It seems to me an authentic life is defined by one's own terms, so it can look different for everyone. I think, therefore, the first place to start to live my authentic life is to define the traits and behaviors an authentic person embodies.
1. Listen.
Listen to someone and truly care what they are saying. Be present. Take in every word and understand where the other person is coming from.2. Be an alchemist.
Be the person in the room who has a solution for the problem, an answer to the question, a plan for what needs to be done, and can turn doubt into action.3. Live by your values.
Living by your values is the ultimate case of simple but not easy. Yes, it can be simple to identify those standards by which you want to live, but to adhere to them each moment of each day? That is the challenge.4. Build your empire.
An empire can be something as basic as an album collection or as enormous as a multi-national mega-corporation. It can be a project that provides enormous personal satisfaction, or a business that provides you a living and value to your customers. The point is that the empire is *yours*.5. Be honest.
With others, yes. But, most importantly, with yourself. About everything.6. Have a vision.
And then live it. Envision what you will do today, and then do it. Envision what you will do tomorrow, and then make it happen. Envision how you want to live your life, and then pursue it.7. Live by your rules.
Most of our actions seem to be dictated by societal rules. While that is not always bad, I think the judgment of others tends to linger in our minds even when we are alone. Learning to listen to our own voice and follow its lead is a challenging but authentic endeavor.8. Act with fear.
A beautiful life is one in which we act with fear. Not against it, which is draining. Not for it, which is defeating. Act with it, as you know it will always be there, but it will never stop you.9. Believe in yourself.
Authentic people always believe in themselves. Even when doubt creeps in, they believe they have all the tools to overcome it.10. Do as you say; say as you do.
It's as simple as that.
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