The True Meaning of Self-Awareness (& How to Tell If You're Actually Self-Aware)

is the ability to clearly see how people view you.

• People who know how others see them are typically more empathic.
• Leaders who can see how their employees view them are usually more effective, and have stronger relationships with their employees

External self-awareness is recognizing your employee took your feedback personally because of your tone, or realizing your employees are disheartened by the data provided in your last email.

If you’re still unconvinced that self-awareness is a valuable trait to cultivate, here’s a list of general benefits of being self-aware.

1. Improve skills by recognizing what you do well and what you need to improve
2. Raise happiness levels by aligning your ideals with your actions
3. Become a better leader by understanding how employees perceive your behavior
4. Strengthen work and personal relationships by managing emotions
5. Increase work motivation by seeking out your true passions
6. Decrease stress by identifying emotions and lessening tasks you don’t enjoy

Ask "what?" instead of "why?"

• Why questions can leave you more sad or depressed. What questions are more productivend focuses on objectives and future goals, rather than past mistakes.

Spend time with yourself

• Give yourself the space and time necessary to self-reflect, by avoiding distractions.

Practice mindfulness

• Mindfulness allows you to be present with yourself and observe your thoughts in a non-judgmental way.

Become a better listener, ask for feedback

• When you learn how to listen to your friends ect, without evaluating or judging them, you’ll become more empathetic and understand people better.