When we get excited about our goals, we tend to broadcast them to our family or friends.

That’s because we are social beings hardwired to engage and connect.

The problem? We exaggerate things. We pretend we’re already doing it, because maybe, we want to earn praise and respect.

Although it feels good to be adored, truth is, it only hurts our reputation once people discover who we really are — a fraud, a hypocrite.

Carl Jung famously said, “You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do.”

If you’re not doing that thing, don’t tell anyone you’re already doing it.

If you’re not reading books, don’t tell your friends you are. If you’re not living a healthy lifestyle, don’t say you are. If you’re not religious, don’t pretend you are. If you’re not doing any hard work, don’t pretend you are.

Don’t pretend you’re an expert. Don’t pretend you can do it. Don’t act like a know-all.

You’re no perfect. Nobody is.

To earn respect, practice what you preach.

You don’t have to say it, just do it.

Do it every day (if you have to). Live with it.

Be honest. Be authentic. Be you.