#885 To Thine Own Self Be True

"Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." Viktor Frankl

Polonius: "This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.

Authenticity is a buzz word I hear being tossed about these days as though the concept is new. 

Let's not mistake your authentic self with your miserable self. Authenticity doesn't mean bringing your crappy mood to any social or work situation and spreading it over the area like some negative, noxious pall. Notice that Frankel says, "choose one's own way."

Frankel, a Nazi death camp survivor who was indeed down to nothing, is telling us that we can choose our attitude. Imagine the strength of character he had to possess to even fathom such a choice in the face of the most heinous circumstances the world has ever known. And I'm in a bad mood because I lost a sale? I'm walking around spreading misery because my boss sucks?

The advice Polonius gives to his son, Laertes, in Hamlet is timeless. You've got to be who you are. The thing I often council people is this: You're going to lose sometimes. You won't get the job; you'll lose the deal or get passed over for the promotion. But when that happens, if you've gone after it authentically, without putting on airs you thought would support your chances, then you lose without recrimination as you debrief yourself within yourself.

It's better to go down in a ball of authentic flames. At least you'll know it is you that's on fire and not some put on persona you donned believing that would increase your chances. 

Own your sales gene…