Five Steps to Creating Clarity
The Authentic Self Series: Part 1 of 3
“Become your own client.”
If you’ve ever taken a business course, you know the phrase “you are not your target audience,” which makes the previous advice somewhat counterintuitive.
However, if you want your clients to be well informed about business strategies, you need to be just as informed. If you want your clients to invest in improving themselves and their business, you need to invest as well. And if you want your clients to be their authentic selves, you need to show up strong in your own authenticity.
Brene Brown, research professor, lecturer, and author known for her research on shame and vulnerability, defines authenticity as the following:
“Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we are supposed to be and embracing who we actually are.”
Stepping into my authentic self was quite the journey, but it was a healing one. I went through three basic steps to become my authentic self in my business:
Creating clarity
Doing the work
Communicating effectively
Today, we’ll focus on creating clarity. This can be done in five simple steps:
Clarify your values
Educate yourself
Think critically
Find confidence
Live your purpose
Step #1 Clarify Your Values
Like many entrepreneurs, when I first started my business, I lacked clarity in many areas. I took on any client who came my way and offered as many writing services as I could. I wrote blog and magazine articles, press releases, email marketing campaigns, social media posts, website content, and more.
Once I identified my problem, lack of clarity, I could finally do something about it. I needed to be clear on who I was and what I wanted to project to the world.
Part 1: Define Your Values
I started with a list of values, simply highlighting the ones I felt strongly about.
Bouncing off the Brene Brown quote from above, she has provided a wonderful list of values available as a free PDF download. Try to narrow this list down to your top five or six. If you really want to challenge yourself, refine the list to your top three.
Mine are:
Integrity
Wisdom
Creativeness
Connectedness
Communication
Resiliency
Part 2: Define Your Core Desired Feelings
There is a second part to this process, however, and that is deciding how you want to feel.
I did a short program with one of Danielle LaPorte’s certified coaches on finding your Core Desired Feelings. LaPorte is a bestselling author, speaker, entrepreneur, and blogger. The program was about taking a moment each day to refer back to your core feelings and asking yourself, “what do I want to feel?”
Mine are: thriving, creative, and connected.
The impact is amazing. When I started using my Core Desired Feelings (CDFs) to evaluate every decision, my business became a whole lot clearer and more streamlined. I could finally see the path moving forward and where it was leading.
Step #2 Educate Yourself
Like I said before, if you want your clients to be informed, you also have to be informed.
So step number two is to educate yourself: read, listen, and watch a variety of content from a variety of reputable sources. Do research, engage in open dialogue with diverse minds, and learn from experts who share your values. Practice lifelong learning.
I wholeheartedly believe that the best decision is always an informed decision.
Step #3 Think Critically
To make informed decisions, we need to be able to practice critical thinking skills. This involves evaluating the information we have in front of us. It’s about taking our learning and then reflecting on it.
Similar to authenticity, critical thinking is a practice, so here is some advice on how to improve your critical thinking skills:
Keep an open mind. Seek out many perspectives and opinions.
Celebrate diversity. Even constructive conflict can act as seeds for creativity and innovation.
Reflect on this information as it pertains to your relationships, and especially to yourself.
Listen to and trust your intuition.
Keep asking questions. Stay curious.
Step #4 Find Confidence
Confidence.
All too often confidence can be misconstrued into something negative. However, when we know ourselves - when we know who we are, what our values and our desired feelings are - we can begin to accept ourselves and grow our confidence.
The words, “I am enough,” can go a long way.
But how to find your confidence? One, face your fears with courage. And two: hone your personal power. Ask yourself, “what am I really good at, even if it’s weird? What’s my zone of genius?”
As a teenager, I began defining the word weird as meaning, “to be unique and to be oneself.” I’ve never changed that definition.
Confidence in the self allows us to feel secure enough to have compassion for others. It allows us to step into the world with honesty and vulnerability. Confidence means there’s something more important than fitting in - and that something is living our purpose.
Step #5 Live Your Purpose
When we’ve refined our values, educated ourselves, and made the informed decisions that have given us the confidence to move forward, then we can truly begin to live our life’s purpose.
How to Start Living Your Purpose
In order to live your purpose you must first find your vocation.
Ask yourself, “What are you called to do?” Then build your life with intention. Intention in your career, your relationships, your hobbies, etc. They all have a place in our calling.
I read a quote the other day that advised, “Find three hobbies you love: one to make you money, one to keep you in shape, and one to be creative.” - Anonymous.
That’s pretty good advice. I’ve even managed to combine two of them by making money at writing creatively (unfortunately, I still haven’t figured out how to write while swimming yet).
Second, take responsibility.
You are accountable for responding to your calling. When we live our purpose, we feel more authentic, everything clicks into place, and it feels as if all is right in the world.
Bringing It All Together
Remember, start with your values. What is most important to you? Educate yourself, reflect and think critically, find your confidence, and then live it all.
If you’re ready to step into your authentic self, book a 30 minute consultation with me today. If you’re not sure yet, stay tuned for part two of stepping into your authentic self.