The Power of Self-awareness
In your professional environment, have you ever met a leader or a colleague who is the opposite of self-aware?
Mr. Unaware thinks he knows everything, never listens to others and has other problems. However, his biggest problem? He doesn’t know!
Self-awareness is the foundation for being a successful and authentic leader. It is a key capability for leaders to develop. Being true to yourself is the most important thing as the hardest person you will ever have to lead is yourself!
Self-awareness is also a “keystone” of our Emotional Intelligence.
Here are five ways how you can cultivate and develop it:
1) Live with purpose
Life is about living, not surviving! So ask yourself, what really matters to you? What are you ready to strive for?
Live fully every single day as if it were the last one. Enjoy the little moments of joy and dedicate your time for making progress with the things that matter to you, rather than watching TV or browsing the Internet for hours with no purpose.
2) Master your emotions
Highly self-aware Individuals can understand and regulate their emotions. They know their emotional triggers and accept responsibility for their reactions. Don’t judge or fear your emotions. Learn to recognize them and do not hesitate to expand your emotional vocabulary.
3) Take time for self-reflection
It is crucial to dedicate a minimum of 15 minutes every day for self-refection. Spend this time reflecting on your life, your work day, where you focus your thoughts, your behavior and your emotions.
4) Keep a journal
Track your progress, feelings, moments you were proud of, but also your challenges.
Ask yourself:
- What did I do well today?
- What am I doing that is slowing me down?
- What can I do to change?
5) Ask for honest feedback, regularly
We all have blind spots in our thinking, patterns and behaviors. So, asking for regular feedback can help us to enlarge the view we have of ourselves. Regularly ask for honest feedback from trusted people, whom you know well and respect.
Becoming self-aware won’t happen in a day. It takes years of self-reflection, self-exploration and difficult conversations. However, if you integrate the steps listed above until they become habits in your daily life, they will help you to discover your authentic self and become a master of your life.
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I totally agree. I think the most difficult part for most people is to ask for a feedback because their are afraid to hear what other people think about them, even the most trusted ones. If you are self-aware you can use the feedback and work on your flaws and be more self-aware, be better leader and human being.
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Thank you very much for the feedback, Sylwia. We couldn’t agree more…
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