Authenticity: A Guide to Living in Harmony with Your True Self

by David Posen

From Dr. David Posen, the bestselling author of Is Work Killing You? and The Little Book of Stress Relief , comes a book about listening to your body, understanding your mind, and making better choices in your life. For over thirty years, Dr. David Posen has counselled patients suffering from severe stress, anxiety, and depression. Over that time, he noticed a pattern. As our lives have become faster and increasingly fragmented, many of us have become disconnected from our true selves. Using a holistic approach that combines elements of physiology, psychology, and philosophy, Authenticity teaches readers to acknowledge and accept their true selves in order to make better and more informed life choices. Drawing on real-life examples from his experience in stress management, Dr. Posen has identified five common sources of personality traits, time and speed, sleep, values, and passions. For each of these areas, the solution is surprisingly simple. We must learn to live in a way that is authentic and true to our unique selves; we must live in harmony with who we truly are.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Psychology

288 pages, Paperback

Published January 2, 2018

Reviews

[Carol A · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this was an interesting book, but didn't really hit until Section 5. Section 1 nearly turned me off entirely with it's talk of introvertism vs extrovertism- mostly because it mentioned ADHD, but only in conjucture with extrovertism. It's a wild ride to live as an introvert with ADHD and it was incredibly weird to only bring up the facet of ADHD with extrovertism, especially b/c it then attributed some things inherit to ADHD with extrovertism (how stimulants & depressants affect you for one).

But I persevered and I'm glad I did. It definitely puts some life/work balance issues I've been having into perspective.

[Solita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not much brand new information, but a book full of good reminders. Somewhat inspiring.

[Jason Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook. The premise is you can reduce stress in your life by being in line with your authentic self. It starts out with looking at the traits of extrovert/introvert/ambivert. Something new I learned was how coffee and alcohol affect introverts and extroverts differently.

Then it goes on to sleep with a lot of information about fixing your sleep.

There was another section about slowing down, and focusing on what brings value to your life.

It was a while since I finished it, and I can't remember the rest, but the start was more interesting than the end.

[Sami · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good fast read. The author (an extravert) spends a lot of time talking about discoveries he has made about introverts - fun to read from an extraverted perspective. Lots of small insights about being authentic and how to identify and respect your own needs (as well as other's) whether introvert, ambivert or extravert. I would recommend the first section of this book to any extravert who finds themselves in a relationship with an introvert.

[Catherine Freeze · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant and positive book for those interested in self care and self help concepts.
The Good:
The section on introversion and extroversion is well balanced and offers useful background information and practical steps for appreciating both introverts and extroverts' style of being in the world. I think this section offers some of the biggest takeaways for authentic living.
The 'lifetime of choices' (roads taken and not taken) visual and discussion was thought provoking and readers would benefit from taking a few minutes to consider some of these phases in life.
The author's style is encouraging and positive, using quotes and stories to illustrate his points.
The Just Ok:
No big critiques here, but if you have read Dr. Matthew Walker's book 'Why We Sleep' then the section on the importance of sleep will feel like a familiar reminder of the main points and arguments for more sleep.
The message 'do more of what you like and less of what you don't' is a bit simplistic and doesn't attempt to address some of the real world challenges and barriers to this advice facing, for example, caregivers.
Overall a good book worth reading and reflecting upon.

[David Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

I Don’t Know What It Has To Do With Authenticity

I enjoyed the section on introverts and extroverts. It was satisfying to see myself represented on the page. To finally realize I am normal. I’m an introvert in an extroverted family, and always felt like the black sheep. Now I understand why. This book helped me see my authentic self as an introvert. But then it has sections on time management, sleep, living our values, and following our childhood dreams. And none of those resonated with me. I already sleep 8 hours a night. I am good at time management, learning all that years ago at the start of my career. I’m now 53. I have followed my dreams. I’ve accomplished my goals. I don’t think this book was meant for me. I imagine it might be for someone 35-40. Someone having a career crisis. Someone who has realized they’re not who they wanted to be. I’ve already lived through all that and came out the other side for the better. This book is 20 years too late for me.

[Natalie Hawley · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book didn't live up to my expectations (as self-help books usually don't), it touched on many interesting topics and gave practical advice for challenges such as getting more sleep, defining your values, and more. Most of Dr. Posen's claims were backed by psychology and science but still written in an easily understandable way. I loved the book's overall message to be more self-aware, so you can make choices that are more congruent with your values, but I guess it just left me wanting more and feeling like there were other topics regarding authenticity that were missing. Overall, it was interesting and easy to read. I highly recommend the chapter on sleep!

[Carlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book - I really liked the section about time and how some of it is set by nature (days, months, years) and how some of it is arbitrary man-made concepts (weeks). Could definitely see some parallels w/ Cal Newport's philosophy on slow productivity. The one area that did not quite resonate with me is the idea of following your passion. The author, David Posen, notes that a very small % of college students have an actionable plan for what they want to do. And while he does say that it may take some people longer than others to find that passion, I think it's fine for people to not follow their passion.

[Cheryl Jensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

For many years Dr David Posen practiced as a physician who, through his experiences with his patients, then became a stress management professional. Authenticity breaks down five common areas with which people struggle: introversion/extroversion; time and speed; proper sleep; recognizing and living your values; finding our passions. Dr. Posen describes, discusses, and provides examples in each area in approachable and enjoyable writing. Authenticity is a nice introduction for readers who have not previously explored these areas.

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps im not meant to read self help books. I think the book overall was really good. I think its fair to say that learning authenticity as someone who considers themself a people pleaser can be quite a complicated feat.

I think though that it makes a really intersting point that authenticity is about how much we do things that we dont want to do because be believe we should. He had some interesting stories, I just felt he was a little too, if you want something you can get it. I think things are a little more complex than that.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would not call this a guide, more of an interesting insightful reminder to check in with yourself once and a while.

There are a number of ways the author will remind you to check in. Are you living passionately? Are you living within your energy levels (extro vs. intro)? How to communicate with yourself and be gentle.

I recommend it if you need a moment to check in and reflect on your self and what you need.

[Renate Eveline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some thought-provoking ideas on how to align your life more with your temperament and preferences. Interesting chapter on sleep. That in itself is useful enough to recommend the book to several people.
I thought the book went a bit off the rails with the last chapter on 'following your passion'. This was very much the usual grind-mentality-for-people-with-privilege stuff. A bit disappointing and partly contradictory to the earlier chapters.

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this audiobook and found it to be interesting, insightful and relevant to present- day issues we all deal with. It helped me to evaluate some issues in my own life.
I occasionally find self-help books to be tedious.
This was not the case with Authenticity. I reccomend it and believe it would be valuable to anyone.

[Roxane · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many great things about this book. I loved the way it was written and how it opened my eyes to myself, it didn't really tell me much that I didn't already know, but the message was delivered in a way that made me more receptive to receiving the information. Highly recommend to those looking for enlightenment and becoming more of their true selves.

[Bill McKinlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book by a an MD with 30 years of counselling experience. Posen’s book is filled with insight’s and the section on introversion and extroversion is the most intelligent I’ve read (and I’ve read a lot about that). This is a book that should be mandatory reading for high school or university students. Posen writes in an easy to read style that is both entertaining and informative.

[The_J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anxiety, unhappiness the disruption of self when trying to hold thought contradictory to the actions being performed. While The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function." - F. Scott Fitzgerald, it always has a price

[Tiffany Heisenberg · Rating 1 out of 5]

The substantive material could have been a single blog post. Instead there’s tons of filler and stories, many about the author’s own family members, that just aren’t that relatable or even useful. If you’re looking for a book that will give you tools or insights on how to bring a truer, more authentic version of yourself into the world, this isn’t it.

[Alice Gallo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Super thought provoking.
Learned about burnout prevention, about how people get their cup filled and have been convinced of the importance of sleep.

Also, was reminded that trying to be someone else is super exhausting.

Highly recommend this book. Recommend purchasing it, highlighting it, loving it.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. We all hear about “living an authentic life,” but this little book really breaks it down and makes it clear. Don’t let anyone else dictate your life to you. Know yourself. Live authentically!

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

The finest in 2005 pop psychology. The science was quite out of date. The sleep chapter was basically a regurgitation of Ariana huffingtons book. This book was a guide clearly with a neurotypical white cis het man in mind. And I’m not sure the book actually addresses Authenticity.

[Adriano · Rating 4 out of 5]

It jumps around in topics quite a bit. It doesn't all add up to "authenticity" directly, but it's all interesting.

[Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Section 1 on introversion vs. extraversion was the most helpful part of the book for me.

[Blueknit · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fifth section was what I expected the rest of the book to be. I liked that portion the most.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing new here, and most of the advice might suit the white middle and upper classes, but not most people without those privileges.

[Robyn Birdgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, should be common knowledge, but several of his case studies and his medical background added credibility and to the read.

[Crys · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Luigi Benetton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book that you need time to digest, to find a few things to ponder/try and make time to do so. Key note: know thyself, then live according to your strengths.

[Marly Sutherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one! There was great stuff in each section. I followed some of his tips for good sleep and it worked great last night.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb book. Read it in a single day on Libby. Will buy the paperback version to keep as a reference—-that’s a first for me. Highly recommended.

[chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

incredibly dull