Breaking the Authenticity Trap: How to Be Genuinely You Without Limits

Actor and singer-songwriter Alicia Witt once said, "Acting is magical. Change your look and your attitude and you can be anyone." This statement raises an intriguing question: can we apply the principles of acting to our real lives? Can we transform ourselves through slight shifts in how we present ourselves to the world? And should we?

Let's ruffle some feathers with a bold take on the current authenticity movement. Authenticity is often seen as something to strive for or rediscover. It's presented as a series of steps leading us closer to “authentic leadership,” “authentic relationships,” or “authentic joys and ambitions.” Or, it’s framed as some ethereal “inner knowing” or “true self” we need to uncover. The problem is, we often hand over our power to those who define what an “authentic self” should look like. If we don't fit their mold, we're labeled as inauthentic.

Actors have faced this scrutiny for centuries. The Greek word for actor, “hypokrites,” is the precursor to the word “hypocrite.” Its original meaning, however, was “to interpret” or “to answer,” reflecting the call-and-response relationship in Greek plays. Over time, actors have been misdefined as liars and deceivers, linking “play-acting” with inauthentic behavior. Let’s challenge that notion with a fresh perspective. Here’s how you can weave performance and authenticity into a genuine, intentional you without limits.

Challenge the Status Quo. I’d be relaxing on a beachside estate right now if I had a dollar for every time someone said, “I don’t want to act—I just want to be my true self.” I challenge that notion by highlighting a popular definition of “authenticity” as something we inherently are, not something to strive for. Many psychologists argue authenticity is simply the information we've gathered from our experiences, circumstances, relationships, and teachings. This means you are never more authentic than in the present moment. Regardless of your chosen performance.

Embrace Flexibility. Instead of buying into the misconception that acting and performing are synonymous with “pretending” or “lying,” we have the opportunity to decide how we want to present ourselves to create our desired impact. Acting is behaving, not pretending. Performing is doing, not faking. Just like chopping wood requires specific actions, effective communication demands intentional actions to create a meaningful impact. This empowers you to get curious and intentional about who you want and need to be to show up and create your desired experience.

Overcome Your Fear of Judgment. One thing that makes great actors great is their willingness to fully commit to their characters. This means total dedication to the traits and elements of the character that best tell the story. Regardless of any fear or apprehension surrounding how they might be perceived. We can also transform our appearance and attitude through deliberate actions to achieve our desired influence. It’s not inauthentic, not pretending, and not “faking it until you make it.” It’s about performing real actions for real people to achieve specific results. That is ACTing.

We are never more authentic than the moment we are in—and no one can take that away from you. This opens up an endless world of possibilities. Rather than confining ourselves to a rigid definition of authenticity, let's embrace flexibility and intentionality in our self-presentation to achieve our desired impact.

By embracing this approach, you’ll find yourself more adaptable, empowered, and ready to face the world with genuine confidence. So go ahead, step into the spotlight, and act your way to the life you want!