True Alignment: Words—Beliefs—Actions

What’s the difference between a hypocrite, an imposter, a persona, and a believer?

A hypocrite is defined as an actor or a stage player who pretends to have virtues and morals he or she does not actually possess.

An imposter is also known as a deceiver, one who assumes a false identity to dupe another person or group of people.

A persona is a character presented to others as a social mask so others come to believe they are who they say they are.

These three entities are incongruent — their outer displays do not match with their inner values.

Alternatively, a believer is man or woman who lines up his or her external presence with internal beliefs by constantly and consistently complementing his or her words with aligned actions.

Every great man is an actor of his own ideal.

– Friedrich Nietzsche

In order to become a master, one must first risk being a fool. Nobody is born an orthopaedic surgeon, trial lawyer, nurse practitioner, or graduate school professor. Each person must initially adopt a persona attached to underlying core motivations 

What do you value most? Write down those priorities and first principles. They’re uniquely yours.

What do you believe to be true [that others might disagree with]? Write down three to five core beliefs that are fundamental to your everyday life. Those are the pillars of your personal psychological architecture.

Who do you want to become and why? If you created a future identity fully on your own terms, which two to three come to mind? Identification means “to make the same as.” Think of the brightest and best version of you — one you could create, construct, cultivate over the next several years.

I remember my first motivational speech vividly. I was presenting to a high school graduating class in New Jersey. Months prior, I was on a trading floor in Manhattan. Now, I was attempting to be someone worth listening to… as if I had a message that was valuable. Very long story short, I sweat through my shirt and mumbled through various sentences over the course of an hour, which felt like an eternity. Over three times, I completely lost my train of thought, looked around the auditorium with a blank stare, and abruptly changed whatever topic I was talking about. I don’t think I shared one story (and Public Speaking 101 emphasizes how Stories Stick & Facts Fade!). I don’t think I came across as authentic, even a little bit. I was afraid, nervous, and self-conscious. In many ways, I felt like and came across as an imposter.

But then I gave another speech. And another speech. And another…

Years and dozens of speeches later, I remember a presentation I gave to a Division I Collegiate Lacrosse Program. 90 minutes felt like nine. Together, we laughed and shared stories. I talked about Performance Psychology frameworks, ideas, and strategies. Multiple people, including myself, cried during that session. It was fun. It was playful and serious at the same time. It reminded me of why I chose to leave financial services for mental performance coaching: because I deeply believe it matters.

People’s personalities create their personal realities. It’s a moral obligation to listen to the music playing inside of us, and then share that with others. 

The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The work of life is to develop it. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.

Perhaps we all have to act like something before we become that something. Once a baby is born, a parent has to act like a mom before she becomes a decent to above average mom. Once a lieutenant is elected to a role as captain, he must act like a good one before he becomes a great one. Before a student becomes a teacher… a mentee becomes a mentor… a follower becomes a leader, he or she must take on the responsibilities of that role and act as if he or she deserves it.

We do not need to fake it until we met it;

We must act it until we become it.

True and faithfilled believers align their masks with their words and actions.

Believe it or not,

— MG

Proverbs 3:5-6

John 20:29

Mark 9:23