The Power of Living In Your Truth

Truth is the real state of things. Your life is a mirror of the way you live your truth and of your reality. In today’s politically correct environment, everyone must like what everyone else is doing. People have replaced truth with lies. That might sound harsh, but, after all, this is an article about truth!

People have become conditioned to hold back the real truth in many situations. They hold their truth in. Stuffed into minds and bodies, people’s truths clog their entire systems, like a plugged fuel line to a motor—not operating at full potential—sputtering through life.

Think about this: Have you ever kept a significant truth hidden inside for some time, and when you finally let it out, you felt like a weight had been lifted from your shoulders?

When you lie, you falsely believe you are doing something beneficial to help the situation. People use excuses such as, I don’t want to hurt their feelings; I don’t think they or I could handle the truth; The truth hurts so I won’t say anything.

Here are some examples that show how people are conditioned to not tell their truth:

• Your significant partner just left you; you feel like a truck just ran over you. Someone in the office asks you how you are doing; you respond: “Fine!” Hey, that’s not truth. You feel awful—with good reason.
• You are in a work situation; the boss asks if you like your job and the work environment. You say, “Yes, it’s just fine,” but you actually don’t like the situation at all, and you mislead your boss, and yourself, on the truth. You are telling a lie.
• Let’s reverse the situation. Think of yourself in the role of boss. An employee asks you for feedback, if you like their work. You say yes, but you already have an online ad, looking for a new employee. You’ve just told the individual a lie.
• You go to dinner at a friend’s home and the meal is just terrible. They ask you how you like the meal; you reply, “It’s fantastic!” to avoid hurting their feelings… another lie. So, the next time you visit there, the same food is on the table. After all, you approved it before; why not serve it again?
• Your child has done something very poorly and knows it. But they say to you, “Isn’t this great?” and you agree. Another falsehood.

How has society digressed so far as to think that lies are more effective or powerful than the truth?

Note: Being truthful is different from being a whiner or acting like a victim of your life and circumstances. But we’ll talk about that in future articles.

Interestingly enough, many of people’s lies are directed towards themselves; they deny our own truth. But by doing so, they lower and give away their own personal purpose and energy. Truth is the difference between being authentic and fake―between real and phony. People have become sheep ready for slaughter and have denied others their truth. This is a destructive behavior pattern.

Alert: Before you go out to tell everyone how you truly feel about them, there is a caveat. You must speak your truth with compassion—not only to others, but also to yourself.

And yes, in some cases, saying nothing at all is best!

Living in truth is not about hurting yourself and others; it’s about releasing what is true. Truth does, and will, set you free—but only when it’s released with a good heart. You will be stating facts—not releasing emotionally charged truths launched with arrows, blame or vengeance.

Your truth should not be about being callous, judgmental or putting someone/something down. It should simply be about the facts as you see them and about your truth.

Have you seen someone constantly lying (or “sucking up”) to a person of higher stature and authority? What did you think of the person who was not being truthful? Did you wonder where else this person was living a lie? Could you deeply trust this person? If you are being honest, most likely not!

Jim Collins, author of Good to Great, identified that the most successful companies are brutally honest about their condition. They do not live on “Fantasy Island” but in truth. How can quality, purposeful decisions be made on false or untrue information? The truth is, they can’t.

Think about the individuals who are not truthful about the true condition of their lives—physical, financial, mental, spiritual, social, relationships, etc.? How are they really doing in all these areas?

It’s time to be real about your life and to move forward from a position of truth and authenticity at all levels.

Yes, I have been guilty of not stating my truth in the past—of not being real. Looking back, I realize how much that modus operandi cost me in terms of personal energy, relationships, business and credibility. And I have also been truthful without compassion; my truth has given way to the emotions of revenge and anger. Neither of these approaches to the truth proves beneficial.

At this moment, I encourage everyone reading this article to achieve freedom by living and stating what’s true for you… not in an intense, judgmental way, but in a calm, confident and grounded space. Make this commitment for everyone and everything―you don’t get to pick and choose where you will be truthful. Be 100% authentic.

Be aware of the freedom and incredible feelings you experience as you move towards more and more truth in your life.

Action Steps

The Power of Living in Your Truth

1. Acknowledge that there is no benefit in misleading yourself or others in lies.
2. Embrace the fact that your truth can set you free.
3. Speak your truth with compassion, not in judgment or anger.
4. Remember that sometimes, saying nothing at all is the best course of action!
5. Stop lying now! Lying is often based on fear, the need for approval or a lack of self-worth.
6. The more authentic you are, the more self-confidence you will exude and the more positive action you will take.
7. Think right now about where in your life you are not being 100% truthful and authentic. Make a list of everything that comes up for you: Who, What, Where, When, Why, How. If you are having difficulty thinking of specifics, use the examples above to kick-start your process.
8. Clarify and determine the truth for each of your scenarios from your list. Be honest with yourself about your life conditions and your relationships.
9. Take action NOW! I suggest you start with the most difficult item on your list. That way, everything else will seem easier. Make sure you enter this process with compassion to yourself and others.
10. Pay attention to the mental release and energy you gain from owning and sharing your truth.
11. Become aware of day-to-day situations in which you omit the truth or are not being authentic. Start changing your habits.
12. Ask for support and feedback from your family and friends.
13. Truth is strength and power. Tell the truth, then watch how you attract more of what you want into your life.

Not sure where to being on this journey? Try out our Values Preference Indicator or our Personal Style Indicator. These tools are designed to reveal your truest self, and expand your self-awareness.

Until next time,

Keep Living On Purpose!

Ken Keis

PS. Let me know if there is something in particular you'd like for me to write about! Send me an email to [email protected]

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Ken Keis, is a foremost global authority on behavioral assessment strategies and processes, and an expert in leadership, purpose, and wellness. He has authored over 4 million words of content, including 500 articles, 4 books, and a dozen assessments to help others realize their full potential.

President and CEO of Consulting Resource Group International (CRG), Dr. Keis has worked with many high-profile companies, associations, and industry groups. In the past 30 years, Ken has conducted more than 3,000 presentations and 10,000 hours of coaching and consulting. He is a highly sought-after author, speaker, trainer, media guest and also host of The Secrets of Success Podcast with Dr. Ken Keis.

His latest books, Why Aren’t You More Like Me?, Deliberate Leadership, and The Quest For Purpose! To learn more on how Ken or CRG can serve you go to www.kenkeis.com and www.crgleader.com .