A shocking percentage of people don’t have this important skill, even if they think they do.

It seems like a good thing.

What Is Self-Awareness?

What Is Self-Awareness Exactly, and Why Is It Important?

Photo: Getty Images

The definition of self-awareness is an individual’s awareness of their own personality, according toMerriam Webster.

In essence, self-awareness is the ability to know yourself as well as recognize your impact on other people.

First starters, people who are self-aware have better relationships ofallkinds.

“People who have self-awareness are aware of how those around them feel,” explains Glashow.

Or, simply have enough insight to ask about how they’re feeling.

Naturally, most people want to date, be-friend, or work for someone like this.

Meaning, it literally pays to be self-aware.

Need more proof about what the opposite kind of person can do to your well-being?

Just think aboutyour worst first date, ever.

Or, your worst boss ever.

Or, the one person who irks you most in the world.

Whether a right swipe, superior, or rando, odds are this person lacked self-awareness.

People with self-awareness also havebetter relationships with themselves, she says.

Further, self-awareness is the foundation it’s crucial that you be able toworkon yourself.

“There aren’t any self-awareness tests or quizzes someone can take,” says Glashow.

Ask yourself the following questions.

(IDYCK,self-compassion is a really important skill, too.)

On the contrary, self-awareness is a skill-set that most people can learn and improve upon.

“But it takes hard work,” says Glashow.

It takes a combination of mindfulness, a commitment to self-reflection, and willpower.

Worth noting: Narcissists and people withnarcissistic personality traitswill have an extremely hard time being truly self-aware.

“For these people, it is almost impossible to perceive how others see them,” she says.

For everyone else, here’s how to learn to be more self-aware.

Keep asking the tough questions.

Consider taking a screenshot of the above questions, or bookmarking the link.

it’s possible for you to make up your own set of questions, too.

(

2.

Begin a mindfulness practice.

Mindfulness is a bit of a buzzword, but it really is a powerful practice.

Longer, if you’re really committed.

(See More:How to Practice Mindful Meditation Anywhere)

3.

A therapist is a professional who is trained in helping you become more self-aware.

Listening is a skillset that self-aware people have lots of, according to theAmerican Society for Public Administration.

FTR: Listening isn’t synonymous with hearing.