“Man, sometimes it takes you a long time to sound like yourself.”
Miles Davis
Authenticity is having clear values and doing actions that align with them. For this to happen, you need to understand yourself deeply. This is harder than it seems, especially when you start doing something for the first time. When you look at someone who looks or sounds authentic, I can assure you that person spent a sizeable part of their life getting to that point.
One of the hardest parts of being authentic is we feel external pressure to conform. This is a natural part of being human. We’re tribal animals and in ancient times, there were serious consequences if we didn’t conform with the group. Nevertheless, those who follow their unique qualities and express them hypnotize us. There are now, more than ever, advantages to following your unique path.
Think of artists who feel authentic and the bond they create with their audiences. As someone who loves rock and roll, a few artists that come to mind include Kurt Cobain, David Bowie, and Jack White. When I watch Jack White play music with reckless abandon, I trust him. When he was playing on The White Stripes, his music felt as if it was hanging by a thread. This means a lot could go wrong, but the fact that it didn’t, always kept me hypnotized.
Another benefit of being genuine is that you can’t be replaced. In a world where AI is threatening to replace many people, that’s a privileged position to be in. How do you replace Captain Beefheart, Frank Zappa, or Buckethead? The problem is that before you can be honest with others, you first have to be honest with yourself.
Authentic people don’t follow trends. They experiment until they find a style that feels right. So how can you be more authentic? First, you need self-awareness. Understand why you’re doing what you’re doing, what you like, and what your strengths and weaknesses are. Second, take the time to get to know your values and live according to them. Never betray them. Finally, be vulnerable. We’re wired to respond to vulnerability. When you forgive yourself when making mistakes, it tells others to forgive you too. Ironically, your willingness to show imperfections will become a strength instead of a weakness. Be yourself because, by definition, no one else can.