Self awareness is the ability to recognize and connect with emotions, core beliefs, thoughts, and traits.

What it is:

• The ability to see oneself as the object of attention or awareness

• Recognize weaknesses and strengths

• Can be confused with concepts like self-knowledge and self-consciousness

• Self consciousness is an aspect of self awareness

• Self consciousness is the focus and identification of your internal self; beliefs, values, purpose, or emotions

• Self knowledge is the result of practicing self awareness

• Sense of self starts in early childhood and as you grow older it includes your likes, dislikes, values, passions, purpose

Benefits:

• Allows us to shift perspective seeing both hard realities and possibilities 

• Self awareness can help people feel empowered

• Improves: 

• Self acceptance

• Self confidence

• Proactivity

• Stress related to social interactions

• For workers: 

• Improved job related satisfaction and well being

• Greater appreciation of diversity

• Increased confidence

• Better communication with colleagues

Ways to develop self awareness:

• Daily check ins: self reflection questions to help learn more about themselves each day

• Seeking feedback from peers: asking another person to give you concrete examples of a behavior that bothers them

• Identifying the people in your life who can give you that feedback: assessing whether people agree with your every move or are willing to support and give you feedback

Building self awareness can help you remain consistent and focus on what you need to work on to become a better person. Feedback, self reflection, and honest information about your actions will contribute to a positive self awareness journey.