Sunday Email - Authentic / Purpose

Read time: ~ 4.35 minutes

Happy Sunday!

Every Sunday I offer strategies for the week ahead and a thought to fuel your action.

I’ve had a consistent feeling of not being worthy. 

Of not being worthy of the opportunity I’ve been given. 

Having had an opportunity provided to me by my dad who started our firm, I’ve constantly battled the challenges of “being enough.”

This has led to learning many lessons the hard way. And delaying joy, happiness and satisfaction. 

Thankfully, I've found a way through by embracing and sharing my authentic self. 

Was that too vulnerable to share? Some might think so. But I believe in the power of authenticity to forge deeper connections. 

Our shared experiences are not unique; they're just waiting to be voiced and acknowledged.

Authenticity creates a floodgate of connection. We, as humans, crave this connection; it's in our wiring. Without it, we're lost. With it, we thrive.

The introduction to this blog is my truth, a real and ongoing journey. I've seen the power of authenticity in recognizing my worth.

In today's content-saturated world, we're all trying to be heard. But too often, our content drowns in a sea of similarities and lacks authenticity. 

We miss the point that genuine connection drives engagement and value.

Vulnerability and compassion pave the way for connection, but fear and shame often hold us back, leaving us anxious about acceptance.

So, we search for quick fixes - a five-step guide to engagement or a marketing guru promising visibility. But when these solutions fall short, we're left wondering why. The answer lies in authenticity; trying to mimic others only breeds competition, which is not conducive in a world craving unique voices.

Naval Ravikant puts it best… competition is created by trying to copy someone else. Why? Because nobody can be another person. 

Authenticity stems from relaxation. A Buddhist saying captures it perfectly: “Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.”

Once we let go of our concerns about others' opinions, our content will resonate more. It's not about quantity, but the depth of connection. A hundred engaged followers are worth more than ten thousand passive ones.

Naval Ravikant also provides insight into authenticity in content creation. Naval mentions that the higher the correlation between inputs and outputs, the less likely one will be to create wealth. Why? Because this is the definition of a commodity. Everyone can do it. And thus competition is high.

But, when the correlation between inputs and outputs is low, the likelihood of creating wealth is high. Why? This is the definition of creativity. And uniqueness, creativity, authenticity… These are all things that can’t be replicated. They are so strongly individual. 

We often turn to external solutions - marketing firms, online courses, or even ChatGPT - for engaging content strategies. However, the answer is simpler and lies within us: be true to yourself.

To inspire you, I want to share some personal approaches to authenticity. But remember, these aren't templates to be copied; they're meant to spark your own genuine expression.

In my experience, the most authentic social media posts receive the most engagement. Vulnerability breeds connection. The challenge for us is to embrace our true selves, knowing that it's okay not to be accepted by everyone.

Some examples and ideas:

• Write a content piece about a massive failure of yours and share it on social media. 

  • Here is my example, the biggest professional failure of my career. 

• Take a stance on an issue and share your authentic views. 

  • Here is my example regarding something that is deeply personal to me.  

• Share a picture and some thoughts about your family. 

  • Here is my example and my family. (BTW one of my most engaged posts ever)

• Understand what you are and you you value… and write about this constantly

For me it’s all about LIT (leadership of self & team, innovation & technology). Check out my feed to see the consistency.

A Thought To Ponder This Week

Simon Sinek has consistently highlighted the importance of 'why' in business.

He distinguishes sharply between companies that market their 'what' and those that truly sell their 'why.' 

Consider the approach of Dell, which straightforwardly markets its computers. In contrast, Apple markets a vision of innovation and change, with its products serving as vehicles for that vision.

The difference? Engaging with Dell may feel like a simple transaction, while purchasing from Apple feels like an alignment with a broader mission. With Apple, customers are not just buying a product; they're becoming part of a community with a shared purpose.

This distinction is crucial. A purpose tends to create deeper connections than a product alone. It resonates more profoundly, appealing to our values and beliefs.

In the realm of financial advising, we offer services, not tangible products. Yet, the principle of selling remains the same. Many firms have thrived by focusing on the quality and reliability of their financial advice, akin to Dell's approach.

However, some firms go further. They align with their clients' deeper values and aspirations, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose, much like Apple.

As the costs of switching advisors decrease due to technological advancements, it's worth reflecting this week: How can we, as advisors, evolve from merely providing a service to embodying and promoting a purpose?

The best is ahead!

-Matt