TED Conferences’ Post

Finding your authentic self can be a deeply personal and fulfilling journey. 🛣️ Remember, the journey to finding your authentic self is ongoing. Take your time, be patient with yourself, and enjoy the process of discovering and becoming who you truly are. 🥰 #authenticity #journey #process #discovery #LizTalk

I loved how she addressed how to be yourself with 3 great and big questions. The first question was 'who am I at my core?' what a difficult question to answer! The reason being there is no straight up answer. If I were to answer this question 5 years ago, it won't match with my answer, and I am sure my current answer won't match my 5 years in future answer. The answer is always changing! Not just this, the second problem is, it is just pretty damn difficult to answer this question by itself. Like is the adjective that I perceive myself is the answer? Well, I have a rough answer to this question that works for me. Just let lose yourself. We have blocked ourselves with the perception of others. if we let loose what people think about us it gives the sense of freedom to do tasks that we genuinely want to do. So I believe the answer to this question is we let loose ourselves and explore the world from our perspective and not by the criteria of others.

I think there are a lot of folks who will be confronting an identity crisis of sorts over the next few years. People who have built identities around their careers will inevitably see the shift as a result of new technologies and how they affect knowledge workers. But here’s the thing; all of those experiences, meetings, projects, presentations, business trips, and late nights stressing to deliver aren’t for naught. They’re the arsenal for your next phase. Even with all the new tech and AI, there will ALWAYS be a need and space for authenticity and human connections. It’s probably time to take that arsenal and figure out how to find a new path and deviate from what you’ve always thought to be the “right” way.

Embracing Authenticity to Combat Burnout Feeling burned out by the personas we create is common. We often mold ourselves to fit societal expectations, leaving our true selves neglected. This constant performance can lead to burnout as the gap between our authentic self and our projected self widens. Jim Carrey captures this sentiment: "I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer. Depression is your body saying, ‘I don’t want to be this character anymore. I don’t want to hold up this avatar that you’ve created in the world.’" To combat this, embrace authenticity. Living honestly means shedding the personas we’ve crafted and reconnecting with our true selves. Acknowledge your vulnerabilities, desires, and emotions without fear of judgment. By doing so, you alleviate the burden of maintaining a facade and cultivate a more fulfilling, genuine existence. Embrace who you are, not who the world expects you to be. Smith, J. & Johnson, L. (2021). The impact of social personas on professional burnout: An empirical study. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 26. https://lnkd.in/gz4fqkqk

I am not perfect. I am Kintsugi. Imperfection is not the antagonist in your career story. It's the hero. Kintsugi = the Japanese practice that honors broken pottery by mending the fractures with gold. 🔹 Encountered setbacks? - They are not dead ends.  - They're doorways to growth…filled with potential. 🔹 Gleaned wisdom from your falls? - That wisdom is invaluable.  - It's the gold that binds and strengthens your path. 🔹 Perceiving imperfections as barriers? - Transform your perspective.  - Each 'flaw' is a testament to your journey.  - A badge of honor. - Showcasing your perseverance and capacity to adapt. 🔹 Questioning your unique value? - It's sculpted through every challenge you've faced and overcome.  - Your unique blend of experiences.  - You are forged in adversity. - This sets you apart. To weave Kintsugi into your career, consider these steps: 1️⃣ Assess What Truly Matters: What aspects of your work spark joy and fulfillment? 2️⃣ Craft Purposeful Goals: What objectives align with your deeper values, beyond just financial success? 3️⃣ Reevaluate Your Position: How closely does your current role or career path reflect your identified values and goals? 4️⃣ Establish What 'Enough' Looks Like: Define the balance that allows for professional satisfaction without sacrificing personal well-being. Your cracks can shine when you acknowledge your setbacks. Own them. They're not just part of your story—they're what make your story compelling. Transform your narrative. In embracing imperfection, we find our deeper strength and uniqueness. 🌱

I came across an intriguing book titled "So Good They Can't Ignore You" by Cal Newport. The book delves into how to discover and cultivate a career you're passionate about. While searching on YouTube, I found an insightful summary of the book by Ali Abdaal (link below) Here are the key points he discussed: -Don't Follow Your Passion: Contrary to popular advice, don't focus solely on passion. Pursuing your passion isn't always the best approach to finding a fulfilling career. Instead, choose a career or specialization and invest time and effort into developing the necessary skills to excel. This will make you indispensable. -Develop a Craftsman Mindset: Adopt a mindset focused on acquiring rare and valuable skills. The more unique and valuable skills you possess, the more likely you are to land a job that offers autonomy, creativity, and impact, all of which contribute to job satisfaction. -Cash in Your Career Capital for Control: As you become proficient in your field, you gain more negotiating power. This enables you to have greater control over your career choices. -Finding a Mission: Seek a career that provides fulfillment by contributing to something meaningful and purposeful beyond just personal gain. https://lnkd.in/emTXJGku

"Believe in yourself first, if others believe in you, then that’s a bonus." Think about it: from the time we were little, through school 🎒, and into our careers 💼, we have been wired to seek approval from others. But what if our value is not tied to other people’s opinions? This quote hits differently—it challenges that constant need for outside validation. Grades 📚, career choices 🌟, you name it—our self-worth should not depend on someone else's approval. Flip the script. Embrace who you are—your quirks 🤪, strengths 💪, and dreams ✨. Confidence in yourself is key. Break free from seeking constant nods of approval. Your self-belief should be your driving force. I invite you to make a shift. Start with self-assurance as your base and enjoy others’ belief in you as a sweet bonus on your journey. Own your worth! #BelieveInYourself #SelfAssurance #Confidence

Sometimes, the people around you won’t understand your journey. And that’s okay—they don’t need to. Your career path is a deeply personal choice that reflects your passions, values, and aspirations. It’s not something that requires validation or approval from others. Your journey is unique to you, and the most important thing is that it feels right to you. Trust yourself and your decisions, knowing that you’re the one who has to live with them and find fulfillment in them. Do what’s best for you. Remember keep your blinders on and it will all work out! Be proud of yourself and your decision. It’s not easy to make a decision for something that everyone else doesn’t agree with. Do you agree? Save this post for a reminder that you are important and you have value