I wouldn’t have believed Mom if she had told me as a young girl that the hardest thing I’d ever do is stay true to my nature.
She would have been right if she had.
Being authentic is the bravest thing you can and will do—especially in our world of instant gratification.
It’s tempting to prioritize what feels good today over what is true and authentic to you in the long run.
For me, living my second chance at life, I choose the long run or what you might call the character-building hard stuff. And woman, does it hurt sometimes. But I hear the payoff will be grand.
So, what’s being true to my nature look like? I strive to practice these 11 things, often simultaneously, in no particular order.
Living now.
Learning why.
Embracing fear.
Telling the truth.
Finding adventure.
Believing in myself.
Being spontaneous.
Nurturing creativity.
Following God’s word.
Fostering individuality.
Questioning mediocrity.
Do you keep a list of core values or standards you hold true, and that you hope you’ll never compromise? If not, I encourage you to make a list now and print it so you can picture it in your mind when you need it. Because the time will come, again and again, when what you stand for will be challenged by something or someone touting the perceived potential for short-term gain.
Only you can choose to follow your nature.
Stay true,
Carole
P.S. Setting and clarifying core values is a vital part of my personal branding method and partnership with women executives and entrepreneurs. Email me if you’d like me to send you an exercise that will help you create your list of values on your own.
Photo: Bon Secour Preserve, Gulf Shores, AL by ©Carole Dupre LLC. All rights reserved.
As founder of HerNature®, Carole Dupre’ guides professional women in unearthing their natural strengths, clarifying their niche, landing their dream jobs and launching businesses that honor their true nature. She is a certified personal brand strategist, resume writer, social brand analyst, 360Reach survey coach and digital marketer.
