Self-awareness and its benefits. Listen here
Self-awareness may be an expression that we often hear, but do we actually know the meaning?
In its’ simplest form, self-awareness is being aware of different aspects of ourselves, including traits, behaviors and feelings. This is different to Emotional Intelligence, which is best described as the ability to feel another’s emotional state of being, such as empathy…our ability to recognise our own behaviours, how we communicate with others and the affect that this will have.
Consider self-awareness, more as just “self”, without bringing anyone else into the dynamics.
Self-awareness has to be worked at, as many of the behaviours are formed as a result of our conditioning, we simply behave to stereotype, without any other consideration…or lack of self-awareness!
Let’s turn to the benefits!
- You recognize, monitor, and have control over your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, based on the situation at any one moment in time…You are aware of your behaviours and the impact of them.
- You have had the chance to reflect on past actions and events, perhaps even from early life, and make changes to your behaviours as necessary.
- You are happy and at ease with yourself…you don’t have to pretend to be anyone other than yourself…comfortable in your own skin.
- You are able to build positive relationships with others…this is made easier by the previous point.
- You can empathize with others.
- You treat people with kindness and respect.
- You don’t get angry at the smallest things…you are in check with your emotions.
- Your general mood is positive and upbeat.
- You are able to cope with a variety of situations because you are calm and rationale.
Note that each of the statements start with YOU…We can take on board feedback, but it’s then how we process the feedback and use it to our advantage.
Self-awareness starts with YOU, but you have to want to make the changes that are needed to continually evolve, and always be “your best version of you.”
“You don’t need anybody to tell you who you are or what you are. You are what you are!”
John Lennon.