the greatest give that you could give to someone, is to be yourself with them. you inspire others to be themselves by just being yourself. you would think it would do the opposite, cause them to copy you. when in reality, being yourself kills every fear they had that was stopping them from doing it in the first place.
it gives them a free pass to be just as goofy, as loud, as whimsical, as imaginative. they think “oh if this guy is doing it, why can’t i?” they see zero hesitation from you and feel invited to do the same.
you have a truly unique personality, one worth sharing to everyone. we’ve been told to dampen them so you don’t “steal the spotlight”. to keep it professional, not too weird, more mature. i think this advice is what causes you to hide your true self and believe that nobody deserves to see it. being yourself doesn’t steal the spotlight from anyone, it only brings that person in the spotlight with you. we are candles meant to burn, meant to pass along that flame.
next time you notice someone holding back, open the flood gates. be the reason someone finally thinks, “i can just be me.”
thoughts,
from nate