In order to become the best version of yourself, you need to have a high level of self-awareness. Self-awareness is the ability to see yourself clearly and objectively. It’s about knowing your strengths and weaknesses, your values and your goals. It’s about understanding your impact on others and the world around you.
Self-awareness is not something that you either have or don’t have. It’s a skill that you can develop over time with intention and practice. Here are five ways to increase your self-awareness so you can become the best version of yourself:
1. Know yourself on a deep level.
In order to know yourself on a deep level, you need to be introspective. You need to be willing to look at yourself honestly, without judgment. To do this, ask yourself tough questions and be honest in your answers. For example: What are my biggest fears? What are my deepest desires? What are my strengths and weaknesses? Why do I react the way I do in certain situations? The more you know about yourself, the easier it will be to make choices that align with your values and goals.
2. Be mindful of your thoughts and emotions.
Your thoughts and emotions are constantly changing, depending on what’s going on in your life at any given moment. Pay attention to the thoughts that run through your mind on a daily basis. Are they positive or negative? Do they make you feel good or bad? The same goes for your emotions—notice how they fluctuate throughout the day, week, or month. The more aware you are of your thoughts and emotions, the better able you will be to manage them effectively. Sometimes, the thoughts we have aren’t our own, they are interference or manipulation from past traumas, the goal is to find your own clear inner voice, and let it be your guide.
3. Seek feedback from others.
Feedback is essential for increasing self-awareness because it gives you an outside perspective of yourself. When seeking feedback, choose people who you trust and who will be honest with you—even if it’s tough to hear. Ask them specific questions about areas where you want to improve self-awareness (e.g., “What are some things I could do differently in relationships?” or “How can I be a better leader at work?”). Then, really listen to their responses without getting defensive or making excuses. Use their feedback as a way to gain insights into yourself that you wouldn’t otherwise have access to.
4. Practice meditation or mindfulness regularly.
Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment without judgment. When you’re mindful, you’re aware of your thoughts, emotions, and surroundings without getting caught up in them. This can be helpful for increasing self-awareness because it allows you to step back from your thoughts and emotions instead of being consumed by them. Meditation is one way to practice mindfulness, but there are many others, such as yoga, tai chi, walking, journaling, etc. Find what works best for you and make it a regular part of your routine.
5. Keep A Journal
One of the best ways to increase your self-awareness is to keep a journal. Every day, take some time to write down your thoughts and feelings. Be honest with yourself—don’t try to censor your thoughts or make them sound more positive than they are. Just let whatever comes into your mind flow onto the paper.
Over time, you’ll start to see patterns emerge in your thoughts and behaviour. You’ll begin to understand why you act and react in certain ways, and you’ll learn how to control your emotions instead of letting them control you.
Self-awareness is an essential ingredient for becoming the best version of yourself. It allows you to see yourself clearly, understand your impact on others, and make choices that align with your values and goals. By increasing your self-awareness, you can become more intentional about every aspect of your life — from relationships to careers to personal growth. The sky truly is the limit when it comes to what you can achieve once you start operating from a place of self-awareness!
