Self Awareness

Self Awareness

Introduction

The first step in achieving Emotional Intelligence is to become aware of our self which in short is called as self-awareness. However, it is not so easy. 

The self awareness aspect consists two parts:

1. Self-regard: Accepting and respecting our present self (including our strengths and weaknesses)
2. Self-actualization: Understanding and achieving our true potential

Analogy

If we consider Self-regard as point A and Self-actualization as point B, then travelling from point A to point B can be considered as the major aspect of a human-being's life. If I consider point A as my starting point and point B as my destination point, then until and unless I am not very clear about point A, I cannot go to point B. This means I should be thoroughly knowing about my point A and have a complete clarity as this is my starting point. If I do not know my point A, I will not be able to make a clear pathway to my point B.

Point A is accepting our own self the way we are, both in terms of our strengths and weaknesses, our virtues and vices, our pleasure points and unpleasant points (trigger points), our happy moments and sad moments, our likes and dislikes, etc. Until and unless we cannot accept completely we cannot really make progress.

Acceptance

Most of us, we don't feel comfortable in accepting ourselves. We would leave some aspects of our life untouched and these untouched aspects or emotions become blind spots over a period of time and get surfaced out whenever a huge turbulence or turmoil suddenly strikes us. It is of utmost importance for us as a human-being to accept and respect our self the way we are irrespective of whatever challenges, troubles, tribulations that we are facing based upon various circumstances and the environment in which we are.

Self-reflection

The best way to understand our own self is self-reflection. We as human-beings have this unique capability when compared to other animals and can spend some time in self-reflection to know ourselves completely. 

The best ways are:

1. Journaling
2. Mindful observation of our thoughts (in terms of desires, wants and needs)
3. Reflecting on our actions of the past and in the present

Journaling

Journaling helps us to understand more and more our deep rooted emotions that are unanswered and probably have become millstones over a period of time being unaddressed. The best time for journaling would be 30 minutes before going to sleep.

Mindful observation

Mindful observation can be carried out throughout the day and especially taking some time to spend in silence, 

• to observe and reflect on how our life is being spent and how we are really living? 
• how much time we are spending on meaningful activities and how much time we are spending on non-meaningful activities? 
• how much time we are spending on meaningful, value added conversations and how much time we are spending on non-meaningful, non-value added conversations?

Reflection

Reflection on our actions of the past could be a bit challenging, especially when it is associated with some pain. Hence, one need to be careful and cultivate enough compassion for oneself before attempting this sort of exercise.

Having done so, once we obtain clarity on our point A, we can further reflect on our point B. 

To reach our point B:

1. We need to understand what is that we require and why we require it?
2. We have to question whether our point B is really going to add meaning to our life and is it going to fulfill the true purpose of life as a true human being?
3. To create and make a pathway to our point B we can take help of peers by consulting them or get coached by experts.
4. We need to gather all the necessary tools and start with tiny steps and reach our true full potential

Conclusion

Self-reflection plays a major role in self-awareness. Self-awareness helps us to maneuver our life and navigate ourselves to more meaningful aspects of life and enhance our overall well-being. Our well-beingness can add some meaning to others well-being there by we can become instrumental in making a better world. By the way the journey of self-awareness is a life-long journey. Just a word of caution. 😊