Self-Awareness – WTF Does That Even Mean?
Updated: Feb 18, 2024
Written by: Janifer Wheeler, Senior Level Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
We’re all told we need to be more self-aware. But WTF does that even mean? I’ve spent the last few years of my life researching, reading, and experimenting with different techniques to develop greater self-awareness—and I’ve finally developed a working definition and framework that makes sense to me. In this blog post, I will share my top 5 tips for developing self-awareness based on what I’ve learned.
Tip 1: Developing Self-Awareness Starts with Understanding Your Brain
The first step in developing self-awareness is understanding how your brain works. The brain is an amazing machine, but it’s not always reliable. In fact, research has shown that the brain often makes decisions based on emotion rather than logic. Therefore, it’s important to become aware of your biases and tendencies to make more conscious, informed decisions.
Here are a few questions to get you started:
Do you tend to make decisions based on logic or emotion?
What are your biggest fears?
What motivates you?
What makes you feel good?
What are your core values?
Answering these questions will give you a better understanding of how your brain works and why you make the decisions you do.
Tip 2: Be Present in the Moment
The second tip for developing self-awareness is to be present in the moment. This means being fully engaged in what you’re doing without letting your mind wander. When you’re working on a task, give it your full attention and resist the urge to multitask. This can be difficult if you’re used to doing several things at once, but it’s important to train your brain to focus on one thing at a time. If you find your mind wandering, take a few deep breaths and focus on the present moment.
Tip 3: Listen More Than You Speak
The third tip for developing self-awareness is to listen more than you speak. This doesn’t mean that you should never voice your opinions—but it does mean that you should try to listen more than you talk. When you’re in a conversation, really listen to what the other person is saying and resist the urge to interrupt or plan what you will say next. Not only will this help you develop better relationships, but it will also help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself and others.
Tip 4: Keep a Journal
The fourth tip for developing self-awareness is to keep a journal. Writing about your thoughts and feelings can help you process them and understand them better. It can also help you see patterns in your behavior that you might not otherwise be aware of. If you don’t know where to start, try writing about your day-to-day experiences or answer some of the questions from Tip No.1
Tip 5: Seek Feedback from Others
The fifth and final tip for developing self-awareness is to seek feedback from others. This can be difficult because it requires being open to criticism, but it’s essential for growth. Ask trusted friends or family members for their honest feedback about your behavior or decision-making skills. You can also join an entrepreneur group or coaching program where members give constructive feedback on business ideas or goals.
These are just a few of the many techniques you can use to develop greater self-awareness. The most important thing is to find what works for you and then commit to making it a part of your daily routine. Remember that developing self-awareness is an ongoing journey—there is no “end goal” or finish line—but the benefits are well worth the effort!
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Janifer Wheeler, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
After retiring from teaching, Janifer Wheeler realized she had a bigger calling.
She now brings her 20+ years of experience in education to the production industry to help entrepreneurs and teams find the proverbial work-life balance by following her JOYfully method.
She’s also founded The JOYFully BadAss Academy, where they teach people how not only to do more but enjoy every minute of their workday — without taking any excuses or guilt home with them either (we know what it’s like). Give me 30 days, and you won’t regret it! Click here to learn more.
