It’s not rare for women in business to live to meet the expectation of others. This unfortunate reality is actually quite common, and in the process too many women entrepreneurs begin to lose themselves and their happiness in the process. After long enough, they may find that their passions begin to go and they can’t quite find the true joy they once had for their professional selves and career. Expectations are toxic and they create a toxic response, and the only way to overcome expectations is to learn to view yourself authentically.
Viewing yourself authentically may take some self-realization, a lot of self-awareness, and quite a few uncomfortable moments. It takes a lot to break down these barriers telling us it’s more important to be liked and accepted than it is to be authentic. The process is exhausting and it can leave women in business feeling vulnerable. At Technalink, we welcome authenticity in all its forms, as well as the journey it takes to find one’s authentic self.
The first step of viewing yourself authentically is practicing honest self-awareness. Self-awareness can be described as an ability to see yourself for who you really are, and to look inside from out in a way that is free from bias but full of understanding. It’s in this step that you’ll begin to see what barriers you’ve put up, and how you’re really handling those expectations that others put on you.
After practicing self-awareness you may feel fear and you may feel vulnerable. Things may seem scary when looking at them through new eyes, your authentic eyes. However, feeling this fear may be a sure sign that you should absolutely do the thing you fear. While doing it, look at yourself in a self-aware way and determine how you’re handling the fear and feeling your courage. Are you speaking your true thoughts in meetings? Are you taking your business in the direction you want? Now is the time to start.
Cultivating self-love is the final step in viewing your authentic self. The only way to avoid reverting back to a person who caters to expectation is to love the authentic person you’ve just met. Aligning yourself with your own truth will quell your fears, give you confidence, and put you in better touch with who you genuinely are.
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