‘Be true to yourself’ is a phrase which you may hear from time to time, but have you ever stopped to consider what it means for you? Have you considered how true you are being to yourself or what a difference it might make to your life or your career? In this article I share some thoughts and ideas to support you in being more true to yourself. As well as my own personal experiences and how I am aligning my coaching practice to this aim.
What does it really mean to be true to yourself?
It means living in alignment with your values.
It means listening to your own inner guidance system.
It means letting go of the ‘shoulds’, the ‘what ifs’ and the ‘maybes’.
It means caring as much about what you think as what others think.
It means ditching any masks you have been wearing.
It means letting others see your authentic self.
What changes for you when you are true to yourself?
You bring a powerful energy to what you do.
You connect with your deeper essence and the Universal Intelligence which supports you.
You feel more fulfilled.
Your light becomes contagious to those around you.
You inspire and connect to people in a new way.
You raise your vibration and attract new opportunities into your life.
What are the consequences of not being true to yourself?
You shrink back.
You play small.
You feel resentful of others or of life itself.
You live someone else’s life instead of your own.
You minimise your potential.
What stops you from being true to yourself?
Do you worry what others would say if you were true to yourself?
Do you think it’s just for other people with ‘more this’ or ‘more that’?
Do you feel like you don’t have enough confidence or courage?
Do you have some negative thoughts or beliefs which hold you back?
Do your current life circumstances prevent you from making a change?
Do you worry that your family might disapprove of you?
Does it feel unsafe for you to be true to yourself?
How can you start being more true to yourself?
Recognise who and what you are not.
Listen out for your use of the word ‘should’.
Be honest with yourself about the blocks and beliefs which are stopping you.
Start with one small thing (a class you want to go to or an outfit you long to buy).
Accept that other people will have (and are entitled to) their opinions.
Take an inventory in all areas of your life (relationships, career, home, fun, spirituality).
Imagine how it would feel if you were true to yourself in each of these areas.
Consider what the best possible outcome would be (inspiring others, doing work you love).
My experience of being more true to myself
My life has been a series of experiences of becoming more true to myself. When I reflect back on my 20s and compare that time of my life to now, it is almost unrecognisable. I have had to continually embrace new ways to be true to myself. A continuous ‘course-correcting’. I believe this has helped me to evolve as a spiritual and human being – just as it can for all of us.
October 2021 marks the re-launch of my coaching business. I have decided it is finally time to be totally true to myself by focusing in on what stirs me the most. I am finally laying my cards on the table and focusing in on my spiritual approach to coaching, no holds barred.
I have been drawn to the spiritual side of life all of my adult life. And so I suppose it is natural that I have also felt a pull towards the spiritual within my work. Time and again I have seen the transformative and reassuring impact it can have when you are at one of life’s turning points. And I believe the world is now more ready for this spiritual approach.
Resistance to being true to myself
But, getting to this place has not been without resistance. For years, I have put off being true to myself in this way for fear of alienating a chunk of my audience with the ’S’ word. I am ready for that now. In fact, I welcome it in. It is part of the letting go process which can help us to travel lighter. (In fact, I have spent the summer preparing myself energetically for this re-launch by clearing out anything in my home and office which now longer serves me.)
In order for the people who are truly aligned with my approach to see and hear me, I now choose to lovingly release the ones who aren’t.
I accept I am not for everyone. I have made my peace with that now (although there may still be the odd trigger along the way). I trust that those people who resonate with what I offer will find me. And that they will have a much better experience because when you are being true to yourself you are not trying to be all things to all people.
Do you need support to help you be true to yourself?
If you feel like you’re holding yourself back in your life or career and know that it’s time to start being true to yourself but don’t know where to start, I may be able to help you.
I offer a complimentary 30 minute Coaching Taster Session for people open to a spiritual approach and ready to invest time and money into coaching.
Or take a look at my free on demand 30 minute career coaching webinar 8 Empowering Beliefs That Will Bring You Calm & Confidence When Considering Your Next Career Move.
For now, here's to you being true to yourself (no holding back)
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Hello, I'm Rebecca
Career Coach for people on a spiritual path
I support mid-career professionals who are ready to make a career change, launch into a more purpose-led career or business or simply enjoy a more fulfilling or balanced working life.
I believe that we all have a purpose here on earth and that life is too short to be constantly stressed, unfulfilled or playing small.
