Discover What Happens When You Start Telling People the Truth

By chance, I came across an article online that, despite being quite old, feels incredibly relevant today. The reason? Because the topic it covers is timeless — honesty.

Honesty and personal branding have become deeply intertwined. While branding used to be mainly about companies, today, personal branding often holds even greater significance. So, how are honesty and personal branding connected? Directly. When building your personal brand, you might find it hard to be completely truthful, trapping yourself in a cycle of half-truths. To break free, you need to start telling people the truth. But the reality is, people don’t always appreciate honesty — whether in business or personal life. What happens if you suddenly start answering questions with complete honesty and share your true state of affairs?

Consider friendships: who’s better — the friend who tells the truth because they care, or the one who stays silent or agrees just to please? Experience shows that the agreeable friend is often preferred, while the honest one can end up labeled an enemy.

The same applies to work. To build a successful personal brand, you’re expected to showcase polished photos with successful people in beautiful locations, give interviews to trendy magazines, and appear confidently in front of cameras and social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. No one wants to hear that you actually dislike taking photos, are tired of giving comments, or want to avoid the people you’re always seen with.

Yet, if you reveal these truths, you risk losing public respect, your brand’s appeal, and ultimately income. Maintaining this façade is exhausting and can lead to burnout because constantly lying to yourself and others takes a toll.

It’s like signing a contract with a company — you can’t criticize them while working together, but once the contract ends, you’re free to express your genuine feelings. However, breaking a contract with yourself is far more difficult.

So, what happens if you start telling everyone the truth? It will be quite an adventure! Trust me, I know what I’m talking about ;)

People May Stop Talking to You

Once you embrace honesty, be prepared for some people to distance themselves — family, friends, colleagues, or investors. Your social circle might change dramatically, including online connections.

Honesty can unintentionally hurt feelings, but only those who benefit from your silence get offended. Truly honest people are hard to upset; they might just be puzzled by your actions.

Some Might Think You’re Struggling Emotionally

If you share only the truth on your social feeds, especially on tough days, your posts might resemble a distress signal or show signs of emotional turmoil.

People May Question Your Sanity

As others read your candid posts or interact with you, they might wonder, "Are you losing it?" They could even ask your close ones about your mental state and suggest therapy.

People Might Feel Uncomfortable Around You

Labels may be attached to you — some might say you’re trying too hard to stand out or call you eccentric. Speaking truthfully is uncommon today, and many dislike hearing honest critiques during meetings or about obvious failures.

Some Will Find You Entertaining

Once people get used to your honesty, some will find you amusing and gradually reconnect. They’ll be curious about what you’ll say next, trusting that your words are 100% genuine. You’ll become a unique source of uncensored insights, like an addictive series.

People Will Start Trusting Your Advice

After the adjustment period, people will rely on you because they know you won’t sugarcoat things just to sell an idea. They might not always like you or may even fear your bluntness, but they’ll seek your counsel. You could become a respected voice of wisdom in your community.

You Will Gain True Freedom

The final and most rewarding stage is freedom — freedom from the golden cage of your former brand. You’ll build a new brand without limits. If before you held back your true likes or thoughts to avoid upsetting others or losing friends, now you can speak openly. You’ll attract people who appreciate you for your authentic self, not just because you agree with them.

You’ll feel lighter because you won’t have to monitor your posts, outfit choices, or photo companions. You will simply be yourself, surrounded by those who love, value, and trust you for who you are.

Remember, honesty is not an excuse for rudeness or disrespect. This freedom means you can build your personal brand on trust, improve yourself genuinely, and take responsibility for your words.

*Note: Meta Platforms Inc. and its social networks Facebook and Instagram are restricted in some regions.

Explore useful articles in Motivation as of 10-04-2022. The article titled " Discover What Happens When You Start Telling People the Truth " offers in-depth analysis and practical advice in the Motivation field. Each article is carefully crafted by experts to provide maximum value to readers.

The " Discover What Happens When You Start Telling People the Truth " article expands your knowledge in Motivation, keeps you informed about the latest developments, and helps you make well-informed decisions. Each article is based on unique content, ensuring originality and quality.