9 Ways to Improve Self-Awareness
December 31, 2024 | By Sree Ravela
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Improving your sense of self-awareness is key to personal growth and success. When we have a better understanding of ourselves, we make keener observations and decisions. Over the last few years, I’ve consciously worked on improving my sense of self-awareness, and it has helped me understand my strengths and limitations. I have learned that improving my sense of self-awareness is essential in building strong, sustainable relationships.
Leadership expert, Robin Sharma, says the more you are aware of who you really are, the less you will want to become someone else. After all, self-awareness is not just a skill—it is the mainstay of fulfillment and effectiveness. By working on improving self-awareness, you can bring about remarkable personal development. Here are some helpful tips I’ve uncovered throughout my journey.
1. Make time for self-reflection by journaling.
Take a few moments each day to reflect upon your actions, feelings, and thoughts. How did you go about navigating conversations at home or at work? Write it down; journaling is a great way to self-reflect because it provides insights into our behavioral patterns.
Designate a time to write a journal entry before going to bed every night. Write about how you navigated the day, the bumps along the way, and the learnings you gathered to promote growth. Neuroscientist, Dr. Joe Dispenza, says that knowledge is power, but understanding oneself is true self-empowerment. Reflect on your thoughts regarding your accomplishments, the challenges you have encountered, and the lessons derived from daily interactions.
2. Practice mindfulness meditation.
Mindfulness meditation is a powerful intervention through which you observe your thoughts and emotions as a neutral witness without any judgments, focusing on the present moment. Simple techniques like Anapanasati teach you to focus on your breath to free your mind from clutter. Check out my feature with the Buddha-CEO Foundation to learn how mindfulness meditation helped me increase self-awareness and manage stress.
You can also check out these excellent guided meditations on YouTube to start your meditation journey.
3. Become more emotionally intelligent.
One of the most important skills that defines self-awareness is emotional intelligence. This requires working on self-regulation, self-awareness, empathy, and communication. Pay attention to your emotions when reacting in various situations. No matter what you are presented with in life, you must find ways to manage intense emotions. For example, if you tend to feel heated during work meetings, try holding a warm cup of tea to delay a rush of emotion. This works because it offers a moment of pause to reflect, and the warm liquid helps regulate your central nervous system.
4. Seek constructive feedback.
Discover opportunities for self-improvement by asking trusted family members, friends, or colleagues to provide honest feedback about your day-to-day behaviors and interactions. Be open and non-defensive, even if it’s painful at times. Take it a step further by connecting with a mentor who can provide alternative ways to handle situations so you can learn and grow in your journey toward improving self-awareness.
5. Explore personality tests.
Personality assessments such as the AVA Behavioral Assessment, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator (RHETI), and CliftonStrengths (fka StrengthsFinder) can help identify each individual’s characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. These tests supplement external feedback with pinpointed psychological patterns, allowing you to understand yourself with greater clarity.
6. Learn from others’ experiences.
Sharpen your sense of self-awareness by actively observing the world around you. Pay close attention to the dynamics of interactions, even those you aren't directly involved in.
Analyze the outcomes: When interactions prove unproductive, reflect on the missteps and consider alternative approaches. Conversely, when interactions are successful, dissect the contributing factors to understand the elements that fostered positive results. By consciously learning from both positive and negative external experiences, you can gain valuable insights that inform your own behavior and accelerate your personal growth.
7. Build empathy by considering others’ perspectives.
Empathy develops self-awareness because it helps people become aware of the way their actions affect others. In the words of Stephen Covey, "When you show deep empathy toward others, their defensive energy goes down, and positive energy replaces it." Practice active listening and mindful consideration of others' viewpoints to strengthen your connection.
8. Mix something new into your daily routine.
There will always be a call for effective growth when stepping outside of your comfort zone. Learn to embrace that challenge, and notice how you respond..
9. Keep an open mind toward discovery and growth.
See the world from different angles through reading books, attending workshops, and exploring other hobbies. Great authors, including Travis Bradberry, Brené Brown, and Daniel Goleman, write excellent literature on self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Constant learning allows you to grow dynamically and fruitfully.
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The journey of self-awareness has been transformative for me because it's not a destination, but instead, a continuous process of excavation and growth. By incorporating these practices into my life, I've learned to navigate challenges with greater emotional intelligence and build stronger connections with others. Remember, thoughtfulness and consistency foster growth over time.
Now it's your turn. Take a step towards self-discovery, and remember, even small changes can lead to significant transformations. I invite you to share your own experiences and outcomes from journeying through self-awareness.