Welcome to Bliss for Business! If you’re an entrepreneur, small business owner, or career-driven individual, tune in on Wednesdays to join Dani on an adventure to learn how to bring your work life in harmony with the thirteen Bliss Habits.
I don’t know that there’s any place where it’s harder to be authentically you than in business – especially if you’re not sunshine and roses all the time.
Because we should put forth a professional, all-together face, right? Not let any of the cracks show, not be geeky or cranky or sad or snarky.
The thing is, though, that no one is sunshine and roses all the time – and pretending to be comes off as fake. Slick and plastic.
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Think for a moment about the things that you gravitate towards in your personal life. Whether they’re retail brands or TV shows or people and personalities. What is it that draws you toward those things? There’s something that you grabbed on to, right? A reason that makes you come back. Some quirk that caught your attention and never let go.
When you whitewash (sunshine-wash?) and plasticize your presentation, you’re removing those footholds, gettign rid of the reasons and places for people to grab on.
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But the reason it’s so hard to be yourself, to let your quirks shine through, is because it’s such a vulnerable place to be…especially when your livelihood depends on it.
It takes a bit of trust to let your freak flag fly, and to know that there are good things waiting on the other side. A community that will embrace your geekery, your snark, your true you. And appreciate the awesomeness in it. And never let go.
They’re there, I promise. This is your tribe, and they’re waiting for you. Trust yourself, and let go.
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Hi! I’m Dani. I’m a writer, teacher, business coach, and signal-booster, and I’m on a mission to help you make your business more awesome, more successful, and more you. (With tea. Tea is always good.)
Join me for resources, wicked wisdom, and other good things at daninelson.com!
Sunshine-washing… I like that expression, Dani…LOL! Our community that supports will carry us–quirks and all–this is a great reminder, especially when the rose petals fall. :o)
So true, Tracy! 🙂
“… let your freak flag fly…” Now that made me smile, immediately. I think I will create a collage of what my freak flag looks like. I so appreciate quirks when gifted by a moment of their exposure. Authentic moments as I view it.
I’d love to see your collage if you’re willing to share!
My partner and I were just talking about this recently! He’s growing his hair and it’s getting quite long now, but a couple of people have made comments along the lines of, “Well, what are you going to do when you have to meet with a client?” My response was, “So what!” I completely agree that we taylor ourselves far too much to what we thing others expect, when if we just let our true selves come through, we may be very pleasantly surprised!
Pleasantly surprised indeed! 🙂