We Should All Be Pineapples

Nope, I haven't lost it. I've just been inspired by a cake mix.  Huh?

Like many of us, I've done some quarantine baking. One not-from-scratch recipe was a pineapple upside cake. The side of the Duncan Hines® box said: "Be a pineapple. Stand tall, wear a crown, & be sweet on the inside." <Mind blown.>

I loved this! I read this at the perfect time, too. My blog has been a bit quiet because I've been fortunate to do a lot of public speaking throughout this pandemic. (Well, public as in virtual.) One of my signature talks has been about embracing our authentic selves; namely, about the value of showing up as our true selves to be our best selves at work and home.

You may be thinking, "But what does authenticity have to do with being like a pineapple?"

Let's back up to focus on what it means to be authentic. It's a buzz word that we often use without thinking too much about. Being authentic means being genuine, real, honest, true, and therefore, trustworthy. For example, it's the opposite of staying silent in meetings because your personality is (allegedly) too aggressive or opinionated "for a girl." Instead, being authentic is showing up as your true self without hiding some part of your identify. It's about letting go of the need to fit in or the fear of failing. In the end, authenticity is about your brand as genuinely YOU (take it or leave it, folks!).

So think of your true identity – your authentic YOU -- as that sweet spot in the pineapple. Even though the pineapple is a bit prickly on the outside (who isn't?) and doesn't look like any other fruit (it's an individual!), it stands tall and proud. It's downright majestic.    

Living like a pineapple matters because I guarantee that when you show up as your true self and let the rest go, you will be personally happier and professionally successful. No more time spent worrying about conforming or being something you're not – that's mentally and physically exhausting. Not to mention, don't you prefer to deal with others who bring their honest selves to the table?