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?
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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.
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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.