Authenticity is an important attribute within the framework provided by the Practices of the Healthcare Athlete.
Dr. Darin Davidson partners with Learner+, a CME/CE reflective learning platform for healthcare providers. For the opportunity to reflect on this article and earn CME/CE credits, Launch here. Check out all past articles which are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits.
For downloadable, actionable strategies and tactics to leverage biology in the pursuit of health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance, visit the resource store, Launch here. Chapters are arranged by topic so those of interest can be selected and each are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits through Learner+.
Across all domains of life, we frequently encounter discussion regarding the importance of authenticity. From many different perspectives this attribute is highly desirable and often advocated as an important trait to exhibit as consistently as possible. Within the framework provided by the Practices of the Healthcare Athlete, authenticity is similarly an important attribute.
When the trait of authenticity is discussed, it is frequently referred to and demonstrated by consistently exhibiting desirable traits. In addition, authenticity often reflects the extent to which we live in alignment with our values, philosophy, and purpose. When we are successful in living authentically, it is frequently evident by virtue of our ability to show up in a consistent fashion reflecting those values, principles, philosophies, and purposes which are most important to us. It is apparent that different individuals will demonstrate different traits and attributes. While these may vary in detail, the ability to live in an authentic fashion is similarly available to each of us. This trait is particularly important and admirable in the face of obstacles and challenging situations in any domain of life.
The importance of living in an authentic fashion can be understood from the perspective of the Practices of the Healthcare Athlete. As discussed in past articles, consistency is an important trait to cultivate. In order to be able to optimally benefit from the mind-based and body-based skills, strategies, and tactics it is important that we consistently utilize these skills to the best of our ability. Doing so, particularly when done in accordance with our values, philosophy, and principles will inevitably lead to the emergence of authenticity.
From the above discussion, it can be understood how living authentically can provide a stable foundation and framework from which we can further develop the necessary mind-based and body-based skills, strategies, and tactics. In addition when we live authentically, we demonstrate these attributes on a consistent basis. This provides cues of grounding and anchoring to ourselves on the basis of the predictability provided. Not only are these cues towards anchored and grounded states provided to ourselves, but through the interactions with those around us we provide similar cues leading to shifts towards anchored and grounded states amongst those around us.
It is also informative to consider what occurs when we do not live in an authentic fashion. On account of the inconsistency in the demonstration of various attributes and traits, as well as an inconsistent application of underlying values, principles, and philosophy, there are frequent cues of uncertainty, risk, and threat which we provide not only to ourselves, but those around us. This leads, inevitably, to shifts towards activated, attacking, anxious, overwhelmed, and shutdown states not only for ourselves, but for those around us.
From the above discussion, it becomes evident how authenticity can be an important element in our pursuit of health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance, as well as our ability to support these endeavors amongst those around us. In addition, it is particularly important that we exhibit this consistency across all domains of our life, especially when we experience cues towards activated, attacking, anxious, overwhelmed, and shutdown states. Authenticity can provide important cues towards anchored and grounded states for ourselves as well as those around us. On account of social interactions, it is often the case that we prefer to be around those who are living in an authentic fashion and tend to avoid those who do not.
In the pursuit of sustainable high performance, as well as in the inevitable experiences across all domains of life, we will unavoidably experience cues of uncertainty, risk, and threat. Under these circumstances, it is easy to lose authenticity on account of the protective and defensive states which naturally emerge from these encounters. It is particularly important during these situations that we ensure that we live in a way that is authentic to our values, principles, philosophies through the consistent application of the related attributes and traits. When shifts towards activated, attacking, anxious, overwhelmed, and shutdown states occur, the traits which inherently emerge can make it challenging for our true and desirable attributes to emerge. This is due to the attempt to protect and defend ourselves which is associated with these states. This recognition emphasizes the need to acknowledge these situations and implement tactics to shift back towards anchored and grounded states.
Authenticity typically will naturally emerge from anchored and grounded states. This is on account of the traits and attributes which are inherent to these states, as discussed in past articles. For this reason, if we are attempting to increase the degree of authenticity within our own life, it is often the case that a strong and stable starting point is to ensure that we have shifted into anchored and grounded states. In addition, when we notice that we are not acting or showing up in an authentic fashion, this can be an indicator that we may have shifted away from anchored and grounded states. As such the degree of authenticity which we exhibit is not static over time, but dynamically changes and is reflective of our underlying biological state. It therefore can be a sign towards the identification of a shift into activated, attacking, anxious, overwhelmed, and shutdown states.
On account of the social interactions which we often experience, authenticity is a particularly important attribute. We have all experienced situations in which we encounter other people who cause us to feel uncertain on account of a perceived lack of authenticity on their part. This is often reflected in inconsistent behaviors and actions, as well as a lack of clear and decisive action in response to various situations. The unpredictability which accompanies these situations is what is at the core of a lack of authenticity. It should be remembered that this also applies to ourselves in our interactions with those around us. As noted above, however, authenticity is not a static attribute. It often reflects the underlying biological state and, as such, it is important to acknowledge that if we note a lack of authenticity amongst others that this is not necessarily an inherent trait. Rather, it is frequently a manifestation of their underlying biological state. This recognition provides compassion for ourselves and others to recognize that while authenticity is important, and the lack of it is detrimental, it is not an unalterable characteristic.
If we are to optimally pursue health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance it is important that we cultivate authenticity to the greatest extent possible. As it requires, to a degree, living consistent with our values, principles, and philosophies it is important that we first identify these factors so that we are aware of those issues which are most important to us. It is difficult to live, act, and behave in alignment with those values if we are not clear on them. Once we have identified these features, we can then orient our actions and behaviors to be in alignment with those values, principles, and philosophies thereby allowing us to live authentically.
To learn more, including about biologically complementary coaching for healthcare professionals and others in high demand domains, please visit www.darindavidson.com.
Dr. Darin Davidson partners with Learner+, a CME/CE reflective learning platform for healthcare providers. For the opportunity to reflect on this article and earn CME/CE credits, Launch here. Check out all past articles which are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits.
For downloadable, actionable strategies and tactics to leverage biology in the pursuit of health, wellbeing, and sustainable high performance, visit the resource store, Launch here. Chapters are arranged by topic so those of interest can be selected and each are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits through Learner+.