Selfawareness? What’s That?

Though the word is pretty much self explanatory, the idea is very subjective. Everyone has a different meaning attached to it based on their perspective and experiences. Most of us believe that we are aware of ourselves, when in reality it is a rare occurrence.

Psychologists Shelley Duval and Robert Wicklund see selfawareness as “the ability to focus on yourself and how your actions, thoughts, or emotions do or don't align with your internal standards. If you're highly self-aware, you can objectively evaluate yourself, manage your emotions, align your behavior with your values, and understand correctly how others perceive you."

Let’s put it

this way: those who are highly selfaware can interpret their actions, feelings, and thoughts and take actions accordingly. As humans, it is our tendency to project our emotions persistently. At times we also tend to spiral into emotion driven interpretation of our situations. This kind of tends to create a cognitive barrier and hinders from seeing the reality. These cognitive barriers can act as an impediment in decision making, productivity and personal development.

I think that went a little deep. Let me talk a bit about Selfawareness now before penning down its impact !

Now, take a deep breathe and start introducing yourself. Wait! Hold on ! Remember you cannot include an external factors such as your profession, friends or family! Just Introduce who you are as person.

Can be a little difficult right ? Let me make it little easier for you. Imagine the entire human race coming to an end and you are the sole person in existence. What are the things and goals you would want to do then?

You would have noticed that there are quite a few things and goals you want to achieve. Selfawareness helps you to consider your strengths, weaknesses, and what drives you when you are setting goals. It allows you to guide yourself down the path that fits for you to pursue the opportunities that suit your skills, preferences and tendencies. It helps i to identify situations and people that have varied influence and enables us to understand our own reactions and behaviour. It allows us to make behavioural changes that can create a greater personal growth and assess ones efficiency.

Better late then never! start observing yourself and question your tendencies. Understand you behaviour and the way your body performs.