10 Traits of Truly Authentic People

10 Traits of Truly Authentic People


Being authentic has become somewhat of a catchphrase for people, but what does it mean? What is it to be authentic as a person? Authentic is something that is real or genuine. It is easy to create a completely fake or misleading life on social media and carry that over to your actual life with people who do not know you intimately. Being authentic means that not only do you not present a false face to the world, but you are comfortable and happy with yourself as you are. Being authentic means having the courage to be yourself regardless of what people will think about you or what they will say behind your back. Authentic people are easily spotted by their traits, their actions and the way that they interact with the wider world.

Here are ten traits among truly authentic people:

1. They Are Self-Reflective

They spend time looking at themselves and really trying to understand who and what they are, what they want out of life and what kind of person they want to be along the journey. They study their mistakes without obsessing over them and try to use those experiences as a springboard to being a better person.

2. They Are Not Judgmental

Because they look at themselves and their mistakes on a regular basis, they do not judge others for theirs. They understand that mistakes are to be learned from and are a very valuable tool for growth and change. They take others as they are regardless of color, orientation, national origin, religion or anything else.


3. They Live in the Present

They do not dwell on their past, their regrets or mistakes. Likewise, they do not spend all day fantasizing about the future either. They live in the present and they take things day by day. Someone who is authentic understands that everyone changes and that life is a day by day struggle to make the most of our short lives here.

4. They Are Focused on the Long-Term

While they live in the present, they have a plan for the future. They are focused on long term goals and not on the short term gains they could make by lying to, cheating on or stealing from others. They invest their time for long term benefits and do not follow the mercurial crowd of trend chasers. They know who they are and what they want and so make a plan to achieve that in a reasonable amount of time.

5. They Have Character

They value their character, or their honor to put it another way, more than they value making a fast buck. They will do what they said they will do and when they said they will do it. They are dependable and honest. You can count on someone who is authentic because they hold themselves accountable for their actions.


6. They Listen

If they are talking with you, it is because they want to hear what you have to say. Otherwise, they would not waste their time. You can tell because they are not just waiting to reply with their own thoughts or opinions but are actually trying to digest what you are telling them. They pay attention to the little things you say because they are trying to understand what you are telling them.

7. They are Consistent

Because the authentic person spends time reflecting on their own actions and hold themselves accountable for their actions, they are much more emotionally consistent. They know what they want already. They know who and what they are. They are on the path they have set for themselves and so do not chase ephemeral things like wealth or status. They are grounded in the here and now while they make their way into the future they have planned for themselves. There is no flip-flopping or indecision because they have already decided where they want to be in life.

8. They Are Honest

Because they are honest with themselves about what they want out of life and who they want to be, the authentic person has little choice but to be completely honest with everyone. They don’t hold back. They call them like they see them. They are open and honest about their opinions and thoughts. They see no need to deceive others about their intentions because they are not insecure about themselves or in competition with them. The only thing that drives them to excel is themselves.

Related article: 5 Things People With Integrity Do Differently


9. They Respect Themselves

Because they are honest with themselves and spend time in self-reflection and value their character, they respect themselves. Many of the things that they do revolve around making sure they can still respect themselves afterward. They won’t compromise their beliefs because they wouldn’t be able to look at themselves in the mirror the next day. They respect themselves and hold themselves accountable for their actions which gives them integrity and strength of character, which they value more than money.

10. They Are Courageous


They have the courage to be themselves and to be true to their ideals even when those things are not popular. They have the courage of their convictions and the strength to stick to their guns even when the whole world is trying to shout them down and bend them to their will. They do not succumb to societal pressure and instead march to their own drumbeat. Authentic people stand out because they refuse to conform to what others think they should be doing. They have the courage to be the unique individual that they are.


https://www.powerofpositivity.com/10-traits-truly-authentic-people/

Not many on here then.

Actually this is interesting. I imagine most of us think we are 'truly authentic' I think the true test would be what others who know us well think though.

The op sounds very much like me...!

Well number four is difficult for me to do. I'm totally crap at planning ahead.

I'd have to say though, it's difficult to read a list and look at yourself objectively. It's better to say, I'm learning all these things daily and attempting to emulate them, I guess.
Also some things come naturally to some people i.e. I'm always self-reflecting to a massive degree.

I think i probably fall down most on number 1.

eddie wrote:Well number four is difficult for me to do. I'm totally crap at planning ahead.

I'd have to say though, it's difficult to read a list and look at yourself objectively. It's better to say, I'm learning all these things daily and attempting to emulate them, I guess.
Also some things come naturally to some people i.e. I'm always self-reflecting to a massive degree.

This isnt a list of things for some people to try to be like... it is a list of things describing how some people actually are...!

Erm I know that Tommy? But we are humans and we learn as we go. Or most of us do.

What i'm saying is, some people are naturally like this... ie the list is trying to describe these people... not a list of things for others to 'try' to adhere to, to 'try' to be like them...

It's like any list of traits Tommy. Some of them come naturally and others you can aspire to.

Not sure what you're waffling on about tbh. Possibly the only one on that list that I can't claim is the one I mentioned but I aspire to be able to plan for the future.

Nobody is that perfect anyway. These lists don't really work.

A list of traits, by definition, is a descriptive summarised account of distinguishable qualities and characteristic features that already exist in a person or group...

Righto. I kinda didn't read your post if I'm honest.
You either like the list and can find something of interest, or you can't.

Ok...

eddie wrote:It's like any list of traits Tommy. Some of them come naturally and others you can aspire to.

Not sure what you're waffling on about tbh. Possibly the only one on that list that I can't claim is the one I mentioned but I aspire to be able to plan for the future.

I agree with Tommy on this.
We can all strive to improve ourselves but people do have certain traits inborn with them.
Someone can be naturally kind...someone else can be kind because its the right thing to be.

Syl wrote:

eddie wrote:It's like any list of traits Tommy. Some of them come naturally and others you can aspire to.

Not sure what you're waffling on about tbh. Possibly the only one on that list that I can't claim is the one I mentioned but I aspire to be able to plan for the future.

I agree with Tommy on this.
We can all strive to improve ourselves but people do have certain traits inborn with them.
Someone can be naturally kind...someone else can be kind because its the right thing to be.

Okay..... Tommy and yourself are under the weird impression that people stay the same throughout life. That's complete rubbish.

People are adaptable, changeable and fluid. We aren't set in stone. That type of thinking is worrying.

Thats not what I was saying Edds... I think you misunderstand the point I was making...

eddie wrote:

Syl wrote:

I agree with Tommy on this.
We can all strive to improve ourselves but people do have certain traits inborn with them.
Someone can be naturally kind...someone else can be kind because its the right thing to be.

Okay..... Tommy and yourself are under the weird impression that people stay the same throughout life.  That's complete rubbish.

People are adaptable, changeable and fluid.  We aren't set in stone.  That type of thinking is worrying.

I know people are adaptable and fluid throughout life.
But people are BORN with certain traits...they don't have to work at them, and that's what I understood the OP to be about....your NATURAL traits.

None of the above traits is anyone born with, as they are learned behaviours.

Some people have natural courage (for eg) they will act instinctively if they see someone else in danger.
Another wont....now they may be trained to act courageously
(if they are in the forces for eg) but they wont be naturally courageous.

Thorin wrote:None of the above traits is anyone born with, as they are learned behaviours.

No I don't agree with that Thor.

Syl wrote:

Thorin wrote:None of the above traits is anyone born with, as they are learned behaviours.

No I don't agree with that Thor.

You can disagree all you like Syl, but can you show that any of the above cannot be learnt?

Thorin wrote:

Syl wrote:
No I don't agree with that Thor.

You can disagree all you like Syl, but can you show that any of the above cannot be learnt?

No, and I have already said they can be learned.

Don't you think that everyone is born with certain 'traits' that are instinctive to them?

Siblings brought up in the same way can be vastly different.....one may be kind and gentle the other a nasty bully.
The bully may LEARN over time to be kind and gentle, but its not instinctive to them to be like that.

Syl wrote:

Thorin wrote:


You can disagree all you like Syl, but can you show that any of the above cannot be learnt?

No, and I have already said they can be learned.

Don't you think that everyone is born with certain 'traits' that are instinctive to them?

Siblings brought up in the same way can be vastly different.....one may be kind and gentle the other a nasty bully.
The bully may LEARN over time to be kind and gentle, but its not instinctive to them to be like that.

Not with personality traits. They will learn them. 
There maybe a very simple understanding to two siblings where one is kind and the other a bully. The simplest one being born second. Where a jealousy can and does form. Even if they have been treated the same. They may even have been influenced by what they see. Again personality traits are things that people learn. There is only one thing that can really change your personality based on a given situation. Your adrenaline, which will cause a person to fight or flee a situation. The only other thing would be whether they have a mental health condition and how this may influence their behaviour.

Well we will agree to disagree Thor...and on this thread that's that I think.

Syl wrote:Well we will agree to disagree Thor...and on this thread that's that I think.

Okay 

eddie wrote:

Syl wrote:

I agree with Tommy on this.
We can all strive to improve ourselves but people do have certain traits inborn with them.
Someone can be naturally kind...someone else can be kind because its the right thing to be.

Okay..... Tommy and yourself are under the weird impression that people stay the same throughout life.  That's complete rubbish.

People are adaptable, changeable and fluid.  We aren't set in stone.  That type of thinking is worrying.

Exactly, which is why someone is unlikely to fit the pattern in the OP exactly all the time.

It is not a list of traits for most people... just some people...

I doubt anyone fulfils ALL that list all of the time, even truly authentic people have off days.

Why does all that make them authentic anyway? Is the suggestion that everyone else is fake?

I have never seen that term used re human beings before...its probably one of the pretentious phrases people use now like 'Blue sky thinking'.

I have always used it to be honest, because I only like truly "real" people - the type who spill their emotions and show up without caring what others think.

But I think it has now become a "word" of the age.
I blame all those blue sky thinkers.

eddie wrote:I have always used it to be honest, because I only like truly "real" people - the type who spill their emotions and show up without caring what others think.

But I think it has now become a "word" of the age.
I blame all those blue sky thinkers.

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