Hey Reader,

I hear it all the time.

“Just be authentic.”

And listen - I’m all for it.

But I also think we’ve reached a point where authenticity has become a performance.

It’s a buzzword now.
A branding strategy.
A highlight reel with a “raw” filter slapped on top.

People will look you straight in the face and tell you how authentic they are… while feeding you a carefully scripted story about their life, their business, their “overnight success,” and how everything magically worked out the moment they decided to “step into their power.”

(You know the vibe.)

And the weird part is… that makes a lot of people want to throw the whole concept out.

Like:
“If authenticity is just another marketing tactic, I don’t want any part of it.”

But that’s where we get it wrong.

Because authenticity isn’t bad.

It’s one of the most powerful tools you have.

Not because it’s trendy.
Not because it gets engagement.
Not because it makes you look brave.

Authenticity works because it’s efficient.

When you show up as your true self:

• The right people feel it (and lean in).
• The wrong people self-select and opt out (thank you for your service).
• Your ideal clients find you faster because they can actually see you.
• Your relationships get deeper because you’re not playing a role.
• And letting go of what no longer serves you gets easier… because you stop trying to force-fit yourself into rooms you’ve outgrown.

Here’s what I’ve noticed in my own life and business:

The more I show up as me - imperfect, real, sometimes messy, sometimes hilarious, sometimes not-at-all-“polished” - the more good things happen.

Not instantly. Not magically.
But consistently.

Because authenticity isn’t about oversharing or “telling your story.”

It’s about being imperfect but true.

It’s saying:
“This is what I believe.”
“This is how I work.”
“This is what I’m available for.”
“And this is what I’m not.”

And if someone doesn’t like it?

That doesn’t mean you need to fix yourself.
It means you’ve saved yourself months (or years) of trying to be the version of you that you thought would be easier to sell.

So no… authenticity isn’t dead.

But I do think the performance of authenticity is getting old.

And honestly? Good.

Because what people are craving right now isn’t a perfectly packaged “real” story.

They’re craving truth.
Clarity.
Consistency.
Someone who isn’t trying to be everyone’s cup of tea.

Someone who’s just… them.

And if you’ve been holding back because you’re worried you’re “too much,” “not enough,” “too different,” “too honest,” “too imperfect”…

Good.

That’s usually the sign you’re getting close to the version of you that actually changes everything.

Talk soon,

Shauna Lynn Simon — CEO, SLS Coaching (866) 661-6711

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​Business Coach | Author | Educator | Professional Speaker | Podcast Host | Top 100 Most Influential People in Real Estate Staging | Home Staging & Design Expert

PS If you want to play with this (in business or life), ask yourself: Where am I performing… instead of telling the truth? One honest answer can create a whole new level of freedom.