The capacity to observe oneself clearly and objectively through contemplation and introspection is known as self awareness.
There are undoubtedly different levels of self awareness, even though it may not be possible to achieve complete objectivity regarding oneself (this dispute has persisted throughout the history of philosophy). It is a spectrum phenomenon.
We don’t exactly know where self awareness originates from, what its predecessors are, or why some people seem to have more or less than others, even if everyone has a basic understanding of what it is.
7 ways to increase self awareness
Everyone can become more self-aware. It only requires a little practice and willingness.
Here are seven ideas to get you going:
⦁ Keep a journal every day.
⦁ Request the opinions of others.
⦁ Choose your values.
⦁ Read fiction
⦁ Exert thankfulness.
⦁ Examine your emotional reflex responses.
⦁ Become a mindful meditator.
- Maintain a daily diary
You can improve your understanding of your emotions and promote regular reflection by keeping a journal every day. Try to remember to record any noteworthy happenings at the conclusion of each day.
You could begin by responding to the following inquiries:
⦁ What took place today?
⦁ What impacted me during the day?
⦁ What were the highlights and lowlights of my day?
⦁ What emotions ruled the day for me?
The capacity to observe oneself clearly and objectively through contemplation and introspection is known as self awareness.
There are undoubtedly different levels of self awareness, even though it may not be possible to achieve complete objectivity regarding oneself (this dispute has persisted throughout the history of philosophy). It is a spectrum phenomenon.
⦁ Have I been in confrontation today?
⦁ Where could I have improved today?
⦁ How do I believe I affected someone today?
It can be beneficial to read your old journal entries from time to time in addition to writing in your journal so you can see how you’ve grown and progressed. - Request opinions from others.
Ask a family member or close friend to provide you with some candid comments.
You can explain to them that you’re attempting to increase your self awareness and that you would value honest responses to your queries (not answers that just make you feel better).
You could enquire of your loved one things like:
⦁ What is my strongest suit?
⦁ What do you think I could do better?
⦁ What unique perspective do I bring to a social setting?
⦁ Do you frequently turn to me for consolation or advice?
⦁ When am I most effective?
⦁ What do you think my interactions with others and my values at work are?
⦁ Do I possess any strengths that might be weaknesses in other contexts and vice versa?
Always try to avoid being defensive in order to make this talk beneficial. Listen to what they’re saying as much as you can and make an effort to learn this new information.
You might also think about how your own perceptions of yourself compare to their responses. - Make your personal values clear
Understanding why you act as you do is one of the most crucial aspects of self awareness.
Knowing your personal beliefs is necessary to comprehend the motivation behind your actions and behaviors. A lack of self awareness may be evident if you become aware that your decisions don’t reflect your ideals.
In other words, self awareness entails leading a deliberate, deliberate life. Being able to identify your personal values is crucial to achieving this objective. Finding your values can be done by;
⦁ Make a note of all your values, try to categorize them, and then choose the few that matter most to you.
⦁ Think about the principles you consistently uphold and the ones you occasionally veer from.
⦁ Look for sayings and concepts that speak to you.
⦁ Think about your areas of focus and whether there are any areas of your life you would like to devote more (or less) energy to. - Study fiction
Reading fiction enables us to put ourselves in other people’s situations, which can foster empathy and social abilities. According to a 2006 study, reading literary fiction improved test results for social intelligence and empathy.
The following time you have some free time, think about choosing a popular novel. - Show gratitude
Consider one aspect of your life that you are grateful for each morning.
This could be a particular person, your health, your career, your pet, the trees, or anything else that holds a special place in your heart. Spend a time feeling grateful in your heart while you consider this person or object. Alternatively, you may keep a running record of your blessings in a journal.
Developing a stronger sense of your connectedness to the environment around you can be facilitated by practicing thankfulness. It’s also useful for figuring out what matters to you the most. - Consider your automatic responses.
Instead of reacting if something gets you quickly furious or irritated, take a deep breath and allow yourself to analyze what might be under your emotional response.
Think about the specific reasons behind your want to respond and what you can do to defuse the situation rather than exacerbating it.
Additionally, while you’re feeling more at ease, consider whether:
⦁ There are certain circumstances that cause you to feel especially emotional, and there are some persons with whom you frequently disagree (do you know why?)
⦁ You are aware of the emotional triggers in your life.
⦁ You feel comfortable controlling your emotions before reacting, and take into account opinions other than your own. - Put mindfulness meditation to use.
The Buddhist philosophy-based practice of mindfulness meditation can assist you in staying in the present and developing a more positive self-perception.
Two components of mindfulness meditation are attention and acceptance:
⦁ You can maintain present-moment awareness and focus your attention on your breathing or other bodily sensations.
⦁ Without passing judgment, acceptance entails observing any emotions, ideas, or sensations.
A 2012 study found that practicing mindfulness helped us improve our self awareness, self-control, and relationships with others and ourselves. This link broadens beyond our own needs and strengthens our capacity for empathy.