5 Ways to Become More Self Aware

Self-Awareness lies at the root of strong character, giving us the ability of purpose, openness, and acceptance.

Here's an excerpt from an article that actually tells you 5 ways to become more self aware. It's an article by Anthony Tjan, who is CEO, Managing Partner and Founder of the venture capital firm Cue Ball, vice chairman of the advisory firm Parthenon, and co-author of the New York Times bestseller Heart, Smarts, Guts, and Luck .

He talks specifically from becoming self aware in the perspective of leadership, but then it fits into any form of self awareness. 

                          

Meditate: Yes, meditate. As most people know, meditation is the practice of improving your moment-by-moment awareness. Most forms of meditation begin with focusing on, and appreciating the simplicity of, inhaling and exhaling. But these don’t need to be formal or ritualistic, greater clarity can also come from regular moments of pause and reflection. 

Write down your key plans and priorities: One of the best ways to increase self-awareness is to write down what you want to do and track your progress. Warren Buffet, for one, is known for carefully articulating the reasons he’s making an investment at the time he makes it. His journal entries serve as a historical record that helps him assess whether or not future outcomes can be attributable to sound judgment or just plain luck.

Take psychometric tests. Among the best known of these tests are Myers-Briggs and Predictive Index, but all are aimed as serving as a data point towards greater self-awareness. A common design point with all of them is that there are no particular right or wrong answers. Instead, they are designed to compel respondents to consider a set of traits or characteristics that most accurately describe them relative to other people. 

Ask trusted friends and get regular feedback at work: None of us is altogether aware of how we come across to others. We have to rely on the feedback of our peers, friends, and mentors. To have your friends play the role of honest mirror, let them know when you are seeking candid, critical, objective perspectives. Provided it is done well, constructive, formalized feedback allows us to better see our own strengths and weaknesses. 

In the end, everyone benefits from self-awareness. It’s only with self-awareness that one can journey closer to a state of “self-congruence”, where what we say, think, and feel are consistent. Building self-awareness is a life-long effort. You’re never “done.” And tools help. Pick the ones that work for you, they just make the process more efficient and their practice will help you move faster and further along the way.