How Self-Aware Are You?
Last month I discussed the importance of self-awareness. I genuinely believe that our ability to live our best life is impossible without self-awareness. This month I thought I would help you figure out how self-aware you are!
We all have varying degrees of self-awareness, which often shift as we experience more life. But for the sake of this process, let's discuss six signs that alert us to the possibility of low self-awareness.
1. Never Apologizing
The inability to accept responsibility is frequently a symptom of severe insecurity. To admit wrongdoing allows judgment from others which makes the person vulnerable. Vulnerability can be difficult when you do not understand why you are the way you are. Read last month's blog.
On the other hand, being willing to accept responsibility for mistakes shows emotional and mental maturity. It implies that you are wise enough to see that while mistakes are a part of everyone's life, they do not define who they are. Being purposely vulnerable is not easy, but it is necessary to become more self-aware.
2. Avoiding Difficult Choices
When we are indecisive, it can be a sign of low self-esteem and fear of making a mistake. As we just discussed, making a mistake makes us vulnerable, and vulnerability can be difficult for those who are not self-aware. When you know the "why" behind what you think, feel, and behave, you are more confident in making a decision because you know why you are making the decision.
3. Poor Emotional Recognition
When we are unable to accurately state what we are feeling or avoid admitting certain feelings, that is a sign of low self-awareness. For some of us, it is easier to acknowledge that we are angry instead of afraid. Or stressed instead of sad. We have a way of placing certain emotions in categories that say something about who we are. If I am afraid, that might mean I am not brave or less than in some way. When it really just means something has triggered a fear response in your body. Being self-aware allows us to understand emotions are just messengers. They are neither good nor bad. They just are.
4. Fear of the Future
We all know that we cannot control the future. But so many of us continue to spend a great deal of time doing just that. Worrying causes unnecessary stress and never provides assurance. When we are unaware of where that worry is coming from (thoughts) and why we are addressing it in this unproductive way (emotions), we continue to have the same unhelpful responses repeatedly. Knowing the why can help change the response.
5. Stuck in the Past
Much like worrying about the future is a waste of time, ruminating about the past is as well. Regret and self-pity have no place in you living your best life. When we stay stuck in the past, it provides an illusion of control because we control our thoughts to go over and over what happened. Those who are not self-aware do not understand their strength and spend time focused on things they cannot change instead of spending that energy on moving forward with current goals and aspirations.
The self-aware person recognizes the importance of acceptance of past situations. They learn from the situation, pivot and move forward. They understand the importance of not judging emotions.
We can all be more self-aware. I am working on better self-awareness every single day. If you have looked at this list and recognized some things that sound like you or know that you need to work on your self-awareness, drop me a line, and we can work on it together.