Lately, I've been pondering over a concept that's really important to me – authenticity in the work we choose to do.
When you embark on a project, there's this initial buzz – the excitement of something new. But as time ticks by, you might find that this work doesn't really resonate with who you are or what you want to become. It’s not about the skills you want to hone or the people you genuinely want to connect with. This realization can be quite a jolt – it's like suddenly seeing that you're actually digging your own grave of inauthenticity.
This grave is a trap of pretending – pretending to be someone you're not, pretending to enjoy a type of work because it pleases others or because it's the path of least resistance. But this is a dangerous habit, one that's self-defeating. You could end up being excellent at something you detest. And that's the best-case scenario. More likely, you'll just endure, becoming marginally better at a skill that holds no meaning for you, while missing out on the chance to cultivate the skills you truly value, to fuel the passions that set your soul on fire, to build relationships with people who will enrich your life.
If, instead, you chose to engage in work that lights you up, that you deeply care about, there's a real chance you could excel, perhaps even to the extent of earning as much – or more – than in a role that never fit right.
What haunts me is the notion of regret. Each year spent inauthentically is a year of digging yourself deeper into a hole—an inauthenticity grave—that only gets tougher to climb out of as time passes. As you age, each year can feel like it's chipping away at your resolve, your courage.
So, it's crucial to start living your truth now. The sooner you align your work with your true self, the better. Because the longer you wait, the heavier the toll on your spirit and your potential. That’s something I can't – and won't – let happen to myself.