5 Things You Didn't Know About Self Awareness

We’re often told to practice Self-Awareness in our interpersonal relationships, but what are the selfish benefits of being Self-Aware? Rather than thinking of Self-Awareness as something you practice for the sake of others, we’ve been spending some time imagining what it looks like when we apply self-awareness to our own needs, goals, and personal development. The reality is, self awareness can help you Increase your Accountability, Motivate Change, Sustain Synergy, Enhance your Strategic Focus, and Catalyze your Purpose. 

Increasing Accountability:

When we are introspective about and honest in communicating our needs and intentions, it makes us more accountable to ourselves. It’s important to be realistic with our gifts, and our shortcomings. It's’ the leveraging of that knowledge that allows us to: hold ourselves accountable for the actions that we engage in, both good and bad; develop actionable, realistic goals as opposed to under-committing or burning out; and create an internal environment of self-trust and confidence that resonates with others.

Motivate Change:

Change is inevitable for all of us, and can happen at any stage in our lives. Rather than being passive subjects of change, we can become activators. For example: Consider who you were a year ago - have your tastes changed? Do behaviors or routines that used to come naturally now feel forced? We can use self-awareness to measure these changes within ourselves, even at their inception, and using this knowledge to motivate meaningful action that can continue engagement, or support healthy transitions.

Sustaining Synergy: 

When was the last time you felt that all of your intentions, your actions, and the results were aligned; and that you were able to align with others? This is the meaning of Synergy. When you are self aware, it is easier to regulate so that you can see clearly the opportunity to align with others. Are your behaviors in synergy with your choices? Could it be a lack of self-awareness that’s keeping you from achieving that? Lack of alignment begets dysregulation which can lead to negative synergy and disillusionment. Leaning into self-awareness can help you steer clear of these pitfalls. 

Enhance Strategic Focus: 

Why do we put blinders on a horse? Not because it isn’t capable, strong, or fast - but because even with all of those traits it can be easily distracted. Humans are like this too. With everything going on, we are constantly receiving messaging that can shift our focus from the vision or goals that we have set our sights on. Unlike horses, we have the ability to self-regulate and make the right choices about the information being received. Will you use it to inform your focus or allow yourself to be deterred?

Catalyze Your Purpose:

We’ve discussed change, synergy, and focus - but the most important use of Self-Awareness is the ability to reorient yourself towards your true purpose. Where are you encountering obstacles? What are the things that come naturally to you that you’ve noticed don't come as easily to others? How can you use that gift to distill your purpose? The ability to turn away from distractions and self-doubt, and re-orient toward your gifts and calling is the biggest benefit of Self Awareness.