It pays to be mindful... literally. Therefore, it pays to be self-aware. That's what today's tip suggests: How are you feeling right now? What do you think of yourself? How have you behaved yourself so far today? Note, we don't want to get into self-analysis - no navel-gazing, please! Nor do we want to over analyse whether or not we've been up to scratch so far today - that only leads to useless thoughts like "what ifs" and guilt. We simply want to take stock, to take a snapshot of ourselves in the moment. To come back to now and be as true to ourselves as possible.

Once asked if his "significant other", Raquel, could tell a lie, Del Boy Trotter replied "Yeah, every time one leaves my lips!" The truth is that we're all inveterate liars. Psychology tells us that we constantly - and rather inconsistently - make up stories to suit who we think we are, how we would like to feel about ourselves or who we would like to be at this point in our lives. Cognitive psychologists call this the Conceptual Self.

For example, one of Lisa's (my significant other!!!) acquaintances has, for years, set her sights on good looking men who are successful professionals in business or, preferably, sport. She has never settled down with a partner, even though it has been her long-held burning desire. Now, she tells anyone who is prepared to listen that being single is a life choice that she made long ago "Women are far better off without men" is her current mantra. And, because she tells herself this often enough, she believes it - at least she has convinced herself that she believes it.

We make up stories to suit who we want to be. Often, these stories are initially concocted to make an impression on others - because we crave the approval of others. In the end, however, we end up believing them or, as I say, convincing ourselves that we believe them. This is all part of the inner conflict that we all have as we struggle to match ourselves up to our expectations - the self-esteem debate, if you will.

But all this inner nonsense is just that - nonsense. We only create these self-delusions because, as developmental psychology tells us, we're a little unsure of ourselves in the first place. In the first place is literal... we learn who we think we are during the first three years of our lives. We spend the rest of our lives trying to reconcile who we think we are with who we would like to be. Yet, all the while, there is someone far greater lurking beneath our perceived selves. This true you - brimming with potential - is the authentic that the Leadeship Series of videos (above) is talking about.

Being true to yourself means becoming self-aware enough to begin to know who you truly are.