I'm all about being authentic, yet many of us have no idea what it takes to do so on a regular basis. People used to tell me I was authentic, but honestly there were times when I was anything but. The fear and discomfort of someone seeing me in a different light kept me from being myself; I was afraid of being a disappointment. We all find ourselves in situations where we try to appear confident—especially in relationships where we’re afraid of loss. But what ends up happening is we choose what is safe, which usually involves hiding instead of showing up how we really are. Being authentic takes courage.

Learn what confidence IS and what it is not. It has nothing to do with arrogance or being superior. Quite the opposite, actually. Those who pretend they know it all are usually overcompensating for the insecurity they feel inside.