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Now What?® Coaching

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Why It’s Time to Unmask

By Laura Berman Fortgang on November 10, 2024

Want to know one of the best ways (by far!) to improve your life, career, and business?

Stop faking it.

Stop putting on an act. Pretending to be someone you’re not isn’t working as well as you think . . .

We’ve been conditioned to believe people will like us better if they perceive us a certain way — successful, rich, sophisticated, charismatic, funny.

Sometimes we think the only way they’ll accept, hire, or promote us is if we share the same interests, hold the same beliefs, and agree on the topic at hand, so we go along with whatever it is to get along. People choose everything from clothing and hairstyles to cars and hobbies just to fit in.

We bend, twist and wear a mask — all in an effort to show up as the most well-received version of ourselves. And the most frightening thing about this mask . . . is taking it off!

Unmasking is shedding your protective gear, making the real you more vulnerable to judgment, criticism, and disapproval.

If the idea of showing up as your true authentic self terrifies you, you’re not alone. Letting your guard down and letting people see you as you can be scary. What if you get rejected? Ignored? Laughed at? Ostracized?

Why it's Time to Unmask by Laura Berman FortgangThe fear is real, and it isn’t something that typically resolves on its own. If you’re struggling to show up authentically, try —

Journaling about it; put your feelings down on paper.

Talking about it with someone you trust; open up and connect.

Working with a therapist to get to the bottom of what’s holding YOU back.

Dropping the mask isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.

When you live as your authentic self in everything you do, life is less stressful. You’ll realize you were just wasting tons of time and effort putting on an act.

Only you can be you. YOU is what enhances your personal brand like nothing else.

Things like wearing bold, colorful glasses, having a nose ring, and stepping on stage to speak in sneakers are ME. Keeping it real and saying what needs to be said is ME. Showing up as my authentic self boosts my confidence and helps me stand out. What’s YOU?

Be seen, Heard, and the person that the world needs.

You were designed perfectly just the way you are, and your contributions to the world matter. We’re all waiting to experience more of YOU!

Filed Under: Acknowledgements, Career Burnout, career satisfaction, Following Your Passion, Global Impact, Inspiration to Follow Your Blueprint, Inspirational Quotes, Job Change, Job Satisfaction, Job Search, Lessons Learned, Life Goals, Life Lessons, Motivational Quotes, Now What? Facilitator Grads, Now What? Newsletter Articles, Now What? Q & A, Now What?® Program Events, nwf-bottom, nwf-sales-top, Overnight Success Stories, Personality Development, Quotes to Live By, Reinventing Yourself, Taking Action Tagged With: Career Change, Career coach, Career Coaching, career path, career reinvention, career transition, Career transitions, Change, Clarity, coaching, Desire, entrepreneurs, Following your passion, Laura Berman Fortgang, life coach, life story, new career, new direction, Now What, Now What Coaching, Now What? 90 Days to a New Life Direction, Opportunity, passion, passions, take action, tips, transitionLeave a Comment

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