Self-Awareness, The Smallest & Biggest Step

In all my life, I had realised that the smallest step anyone can take in making a positive impact in anything at all, is to be self-aware.

Self-awareness, a fundamental step that begins when we are about 1-3 years old, continues to develop over the years and decades. Goleman theorised the 5 pillars to emotional intelligence, with self-awareness being the first stage. Knowing what you are feeling and being able to attend to these emotions mindfully, defines your emotional intelligence. As such, if you are looking at positive social skills, emotional regulation and motivation, this is an area to polish along the way, all through life's journey.

As we are growing up, the many events that take place in our lives may have contributed to our depth of access to our own self-awareness or not. With the importance that lies in the access to self-awareness, it is only wise to invest in getting to know oneself, a little better every day.

From my humble years of work, what I have come to realise is that intentional practices helps build habits and habits to nurture self-awareness could give you a hand in getting to know yourselves.

Hence, in every activity with adults or children, I always bring in a little something to give space to learning more about ourselves.

Here are some ways I had experimented with self-awareness that I would like to share which may or may not work for you. Harms not to try them out!

ONE: Talk to a someone you trust.

It's good to know who you trust and be able to hold open conversations with them. Conversations about your personal challenges, wins, ambitions, and so forth with a good pair of ears, may provide you with some reflection. It's almost like speaking to a mirror, and you realise that you can see and hear yourself clearer.

TWO: Commit to reflective writing.

This is good, especially when you feel like you do not at all have the time for it. It helps to write continuously without giving the experience much of a thought. If this feels difficult or a little too easy, some sense of community might help? Check out writing groups near you. You may join one, and write alongside other writers.

THREE: Practice emotional check-in.

I feel that this is vital, especially when one is overwhelmed with high surge of emotions. That is exactly when you need to take a step back, breathe and ask yourself what is it that you are feeling. To go further into the process, you could ask how does this feeling look, feel, taste, sound and smell. Tap onto your sense to help navigate your sensations and perception of your experience. Put the pieces together, and ask yourself how shall you respond, and not reaction.

I invite you to try them out. Feel free to let me know how it goes!

Remember, for any change to be visible, like all habits, you need to do it continuously for a period of time. From 7 days, to a month, to 3 months and so forth.

Do note that this is a personal piece written from experience. Hence, by all means the author is not liable or responsible of the use of the content.