How to Be Real, Raw, Relevant in 2011

By Anthony Garcia - Dec 27 , 2010

If you are anything like me, you love a fresh start.  Somehow when the clock ticks past 11:59:59 on New Year’s Eve and into New Year’s Day, it is a symbolic slate cleaning, and we all magically have a blank slate.  While it may only be sentimental, it is a powerful sentiment nonetheless and one we should take advantage of.

We are always talking about being real, raw, and relevant.  So let me unpack each of those for you.

I will use Mike’s recent post as an example.

Real -  Being real comes natural for Mike, but maybe not so natural for others.  But being real is about letting yourself be you.  You don’t have to try to be someone else.  You are here on this planet and who you are and what you desire was meant to be here.  By imitating someone else, or being who you think people want you to be you are robbing yourself and your audience from a real opportunity to know you and receive the gift that is you.  It may sound a bit cheesy, but it isn’t.  Being yourself is the quickest path to your own success.

Raw – Being raw means showing people who you are, even letting them see your warts.  Last week, Mike shared with us his personal pain this Christmas season.  He didn’t hold anything back.  He shared his emotions, his hopes, his despair, his pain, his joy.  He didn’t sugarcoat the negative, he just laid it out there.  Here is a guideline: you are not being raw or vulnerable unless you are at risk of being judged.  The only price higher than being judged is not living in a world where you feel like you cannot share your experiences.  That is more of a prison than living in the judgment of others.

Relevant – Share what matters.  If it matters to you, it is likely to matter to someone else.  Be relevant.  Mike shared his story and memories, and people responded because they could relate to some of his experience.  It was relevant to them.  If you are not sure what is relevant to your audience, ask them.  Listen to them.  Observe their behavior.

If you make but one resolution this upcoming year, decide to be Real, Raw, Relevant.  It will give you the edge you are looking for, but maybe more important, it will free you.