Self-awareness is a lifelong journey of discovery of ourselves that shape not just who we are
but who we can become. It empowers us to take ownership of our choices, nurture
meaningful relationships, and live a life aligned with your true values, dreams and hopes. By
cultivating self-awareness, you unlock the ability to grow into the best version of yourself
while connecting and remaining authentic and true with others – a key ingredient in living a
fulfilling and purpose -driven life.
Having the ability of self-awareness is to recognise and understand your own thoughts,
emotions and behaviours, why and how they influence your interactions with the world. It
is the foundation of personal growth, guiding how you perceive yourself and your
surroundings. At its core, self-awareness is about stepping back from the automatic
patterns of the daily life and our reactions to things and situations, examining your true self
– values, beliefs, strengths, weaknesses and triggers.
There are Two Dimensions To Self-Awareness –
- Internal Self-Awareness:
This is the clarity you have about your inner world – your thoughts, emotions, and
motivations. It is about understanding why you think or feel a certain way and how
that aligns with your core values and needs. If our needs our met and we are making
informed decisions, then this leads us to build meaningful relationships, allows us to
be resourceful, forgiving of ourselves and others. Promoting a more peaceful
approach to life. - External Self-Awareness
This involves understanding how others perceive you. It is about being aware of how
your actions and words impact those around you and adjusting your behaviour
accordingly. This is not accepting other’s bad behaviour; this is about cultivating the
habit to step back from situations or people that hurt us and reflect before acting or
making decisions. This will allow us to make better informed decisions which
enhance our life rather than add complications, dramas and judgement of others
into our lives.
Benefits of being Self – Aware in our Every Day Life:
Improved Emotional Regulation: by identifying your emotions as they arise, you can
respond thoughtfully and mindfully rather than react impulsively; thus the outcome
of any situation is more likely to be positive or at the very least to mutual benefit and
understanding.
Greater Resilience: Self-Awareness helps you identify the root of your stress or
anxiety, enabling you to sort your issues more effectively and bounce back from
challenges more quickly and without damage to your mental or physical health.
Enhance Communication: Understanding intentions and how they may be
interpreted or understood by others allows for clearer, more compassionate
communication; allowing any situation or relationship to develop and move forward
in a more positive direction and overall outcome. This understanding of ourselves
and others can actually break down barriers and heal wounds that seemed
impossible.
‘ If you always do what you have always done; You will always win what you have
always won.’ – Henry Ford