Self Awareness

A simple definition of self-awareness is having a proper understanding of oneself. Self-awareness requires people to look inward and reflect on motivations, thoughts, feelings, and patterns, disconnecting themselves from the influence of the external world to reconnect internally.

What is the self awareness definition?

There are two main types of self-awareness – internal and external. Inner self-awareness is developing knowledge and understanding of the inner self. Outer self-awareness describes an understanding of how one presents themselves to the outside world and interacts with people.

To develop a certain level of self-awareness, one must reflect on their internal thoughts, feelings, motivations, and values. Self-discovery and reflection promote a greater understanding of one’s emotions and emotional reactions. Understanding our emotional states allows for a greater understanding of our actions and behaviors.

To effectively practice self-awareness, individuals can engage in self-reflective techniques such as journaling, meditation, and seeking feedback from others.

Increased self-awareness resists outside influences, supports decision-making, and improves emotional regulation, whereas the primary tool for self-awareness development, meditation, gives space for focused introspection and self-reflection.

During meditation, self-awareness develops by acknowledging internal thoughts and feelings that arise throughout the practice. Mindfulness meditation allows time and space to focus without external influence since it aims to recognize thoughts and emotional patterns without judgment. Mindfulness allows to self reflect and re-evaluate personal behavior and thought patterns.

Types of Self-Awareness

Self-awareness can be categorized into different types, each with its unique characteristics and implications. Understanding these types can help individuals develop a more nuanced and effective approach to self-awareness.

Private Self-Awareness

Private self-awareness refers to the ability to recognize and understand one’s own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a personal and intimate way. This type of self-awareness is essential for developing emotional intelligence, self-compassion, and self-acceptance.

By being attuned to our inner world, we can identify our strengths and weaknesses, understand our values, and recognize our motivations. This deep level of personal awareness allows us to make informed decisions and improve our personal relationships. Practicing private self-awareness involves regular self-reflection and introspection, helping us to navigate our emotions and reactions more effectively.

Public Self-Awareness

Public self-awareness, on the other hand, involves understanding how others perceive us. This type of self-awareness is crucial for effective communication and building strong relationships.

By being aware of how our words, actions, and behaviors impact others, we can adapt and improve our interactions. Public self-awareness helps us to be more empathetic and considerate, fostering better personal and professional relationships. It involves being mindful of social cues and feedback, allowing us to adjust our behavior to align with social expectations and norms.

Objective Self-Awareness

Objective self-awareness is the ability to observe oneself from an outside perspective, without judgment or bias. This type of self-awareness involves seeing ourselves as others see us, providing a more accurate and realistic understanding of our actions and behaviors.

Objective self-awareness is essential for developing a growth mindset, as it allows us to learn from our mistakes and strive for personal development. By practicing objective self-awareness, we can gain insights into our behavior patterns and make conscious efforts to improve.

This type of self-awareness encourages us to view our experiences and actions through a neutral lens, promoting self-improvement and growth.

Benefits of self-awareness

Self-awareness is beneficial for overall well-being and mental health. It is also an essential aspect of self-development, connected to skill learning and goal achievement. A greater sense of self-awareness allows people to understand their values and identify internal motivations.

This is the concept of intrinsic motivation, which is the motivation for internal instead of external rewards. Intrinsic motivation is vital for feeling engaged, committed, and fulfilled. Self-awareness helps identify the inherent motivating factors and resist outside biases and influences, leading to greater fulfillment.

Increased self-awareness helps develop emotional intelligence, which is vital for boosting motivation and creativity, developing empathy, stronger interpersonal relationships, and smooth communication. Studies show that high emotional intelligence is critical in leadership positions.

Understanding and being aware of emotional states help with managing reactions. The fight or flight stress response will reduce one’s ability to make decisions, while self-awareness and emotional intelligence help overcome the response and make logical decisions when experiencing those emotions.

Another benefit of self-awareness is that it helps build self-esteem and confidence since healthy introspection and self-reflection should not focus on self-judgment or being critical. Introspection may occasionally be mistaken for rumination, which involves being stuck in negative thought patterns. When developing healthy self-awareness, reflection must be productive and non-judgmental.

Lastly, self-awareness positively impacts creativity, decision-making, and productivity. One study showed that highly self-aware people tend to be more proactive in a work environment.

Characteristics of self-awareness

Signs of being highly self-aware include having solid and healthy relationships with others. Highly self-aware people can identify their personal goals and values, which allows them to make decisions and have greater control over their lives.

It’s easy to spot a profoundly self-aware individual by watching their behavior and listening to their train of thoughts. Self-aware people are not scared of taking responsibility for their actions and other people. They tend to be honest, showcase absolute transparency in their words, and are naturally very empathic. One of the main signs that a person is self-aware is the ratio between listening and talking. Those with an increased sense of self-awareness are great and deep listeners.

It’s very important to understand that there is no such thing as objective self-awareness. Although self-awareness allows for a deeper understanding of self, one is performing self evaluation from a personal perspective.

How to improve self awareness training skills

There are many ways for developing self-awareness. One way one can enhance self-awareness is to spend time understanding themselves and outlining core values and personal aspirations.

This can be done through journaling or creating lists of goals. Journaling for self-reflection helps to identify emotions and typical emotional reactions further. It is helpful to get perspective from the outside, such as asking friends and family about how you react to certain situations.

On another note, seeking feedback in the workplace can increase awareness of one’s strengths and challenges on the career path. Trying new activities and experiences and being aware of yourself in those settings is helpful in further increase in level of self-awareness. Developed self awareness also allows to receive honest feedback and different perspectives without strong desire to personalize.

Journaling and Reflection

Journaling and reflection are two powerful tools that can help you cultivate self-awareness. By writing down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your place in the world. Here are some tips for using journaling and reflection to practice self-awareness:

• Set aside a specific time each day: Whether it’s first thing in the morning, before bed, or during your lunch break, dedicating a specific time to journal and reflect can help make it a consistent habit.

• Start with your thoughts and feelings: Begin by jotting down what’s been on your mind lately. What are you grateful for? What challenges are you facing? This can help you identify patterns in your thinking and emotions.

• Reflect on your experiences: Consider recent events in your life. What did you learn from a recent challenge or success? How did you handle a difficult situation? Reflecting on these experiences can provide valuable insights into your behavior and reactions.

• Ask yourself questions: Use your journal to explore deeper questions about yourself. What are your strengths and weaknesses? What are your values and goals? What kind of person do you want to be? These questions can guide your self-discovery journey.

• Be honest with yourself: Don’t shy away from confronting your flaws and weaknesses. Remember, self-awareness is not about being perfect but about recognizing your imperfections and working to improve.

By incorporating journaling and reflection into your routine, you can practice self-awareness and gain a clearer understanding of your inner world.

Seeking Feedback

Seeking feedback from others is another important way to cultivate self-awareness. By asking for feedback from people you trust, you can gain a new perspective on yourself and your behavior. Here are some tips for seeking feedback:

• Ask specific questions: Instead of asking for general feedback, ask specific questions like “What do you think I could improve on?” or “How do you think I handled that situation?” This can help you get more actionable insights.

• Be open-minded: Remember that feedback is not always easy to hear, but it’s an important part of growing and learning. Be open-minded and willing to consider different perspectives, even if they challenge your self-perception.

• Seek feedback from multiple sources: Don’t just ask one person for feedback. Seek feedback from multiple sources, including friends, family members, and colleagues. This can provide a more well-rounded view of your strengths and areas for improvement.

• Use feedback to make changes: Once you’ve received feedback, use it to make changes in your life. This could mean working on a specific skill or behavior, or making adjustments in your relationships or career.

By actively seeking and using feedback, you can enhance your self-awareness and continue to grow and develop.

How meditation increases internal self-awareness

Self-awareness theory is a central principle of mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness meditation helps cultivate self-awareness by allowing time to shift awareness from the outer world into the inner world. Mindfulness meditation will strengthen the focus on the feelings and unconscious thoughts and accept them for what they are. Mindfulness practice requires one to be in the present moment and objectively look inward at thoughts, feelings, and emotions. It is essential not to pass judgment on internal thoughts to be a time for healthy introspection and increased self-knowledge.

Studies have shown that meditation may change brain areas that help to increase self-awareness. A survey by Harvard medical school found that meditation increased grey matter in the hippocampus area, which related to self-awareness and introspection. Mindfulness meditation focuses on an objective and non-judgmental acknowledgment of internal feelings and thoughts; therefore, it can help decrease ruminating and worrying thoughts.

Overcoming Challenges to Self-Awareness

Developing self-awareness can be challenging, especially if you’re not used to reflecting on your thoughts and feelings. Here are some common challenges to self-awareness and some tips for overcoming them:

• Lack of self-reflection: Many people struggle with self-reflection, especially if they’re not used to thinking about their thoughts and feelings. To overcome this challenge, start by setting aside time each day to journal and reflect. Even a few minutes can make a difference.

• Fear of vulnerability: Some people may be afraid to be vulnerable and honest with themselves, especially if they’re not used to confronting their flaws and weaknesses. To overcome this challenge, remember that self-awareness is not about being perfect, but about being aware of your imperfections and working to improve. Practice self-compassion and remind yourself that everyone has flaws.

• Difficulty receiving feedback: Receiving feedback from others can be challenging, especially if you’re not used to hearing constructive criticism. To overcome this challenge, remember that feedback is an important part of growing and learning. Be open-minded and willing to consider different perspectives, and use feedback as an opportunity to improve.

• Lack of emotional intelligence: Emotional intelligence is an important part of self-awareness, but it can be challenging to develop if you’re not used to thinking about your emotions and the emotions of others. To overcome this challenge, start by practicing empathy and self-compassion. Work on developing your emotional intelligence by paying attention to your own emotions and the emotions of those around you.

By overcoming these challenges and practicing self-awareness, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your place in the world. Remember that self-awareness is a journey, not a destination, and it takes time and effort to develop. But with persistence and practice, you can become more self-aware and live a more authentic, meaningful life.

Applying Self-Awareness

Self-awareness is not just a theoretical concept but a practical tool that can be applied in various aspects of life. By developing self-awareness, individuals can improve their personal and professional relationships, achieve their goals, and enhance their overall well-being.

Developing self-awareness involves regular self-reflection and seeking feedback from others. By understanding our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, we can make more informed decisions and navigate our lives more effectively. Self-awareness training, such as mindfulness meditation and journaling, can help cultivate this skill. Additionally, being open to feedback and willing to learn from our experiences can further enhance our self-awareness.

In the workplace, self-awareness can lead to better teamwork, communication, and leadership. By understanding our strengths and weaknesses, we can contribute more effectively to our teams and build stronger professional relationships. In personal life, self-awareness helps us to understand our needs and desires, leading to more fulfilling relationships and a greater sense of purpose.

Overall, self-awareness is a vital skill that can significantly impact our mental health and overall quality of life. By practicing self-awareness, we can achieve greater self-knowledge, self-compassion, and self-acceptance, leading to a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Frequently asked questions about self-awareness.

What are other ways to build self-awareness?

• Self-reflective journaling

• Yoga practice

• Setting intentions

• Asking for feedback

• Listening more

• Participating in self awareness training

• Learning social and clinical psychology

• Working with a life coach

Are there different types of objective self awareness?

In general, self-awareness is divided into two broad categories:

• Private self-awareness

  • Understanding of inner self, including thoughts, own emotions, and feelings

• Public self-awareness

  • Understanding the external perception and relationships with others

Are there any negative aspects of self-awareness?

• The most common negative aspect of having high internal self-awareness is overthinking and focusing on negative inner thoughts. It is crucial when building aware self perception that one also builds self-acceptance. It’s very easy to get trapped in self conscious thinking in attempts to understand yourself. By accepting negative thoughts, trying to objectively evaluate and practicing self-empathy, it can be prevented.

• The most common negative aspect of high external self-awareness is social anxieties and self-consciousness. This can be due to being highly aware of social pressures and worrying about how others perceive one.

• Although some people may think that self-awareness is related to narcissism, that is not the case. People with high levels of narcissism tend to have lower self-awareness as they fail to be aware of their flaws and challenges.

Are self-awareness and self perception the same thing?

• There is a difference between self-awareness and conscious awareness, although both serve as objective evaluators of self and allow to bring different perspectives into one’s life.

• Conscious awareness describes being aware of your surroundings, environment, and body. In contrast, self-awareness manifests itself by understanding your internal thoughts, emotions, and reactions and how they impact relationships with the external.

• Saying that, both of these terms signify states of mind that reach for more clarity and healthier internal standards.

References

Meditation training increases the ability to perceive the self in a more healthy, present-moment way

Self-Awareness Increases With Meditation | HuffPost Life

Top 11 Benefits of Self-Awareness According to Science

What is Self-Awareness and Why is it Important? [+5 Ways to Increase It]

What is self-awareness? And how can you cultivate it?

Self-Determination Theory: How It Explains Motivation

Self awareness | The Myers-Briggs Company

Building Self-Awareness: 16 Activities and Tools for Meaningful Change

5 Ways Narcissists Project and Attack You

5 Ways to Become More Self-Aware

Disclaimer

The contents of this article are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is always recommended to consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any health-related changes or if you have any questions or concerns about your health. Anahana is not liable for any errors, omissions, or consequences that may occur from using the information provided.