Self-awareness involves monitoring our inner thoughts, emotions, and beliefs. It is an important skill as it helps influence personal development. Self-awareness requires us to examine our strengths and weaknesses. This process requires us to be objective because we inherently have traits that are positive and some traits that are less desirable.
When we are practising self-awareness, it is important to be kind to ourselves and avoid being overly critical. Practising mindfulness can help us increase our self-awareness. When we become more aware of attitudes or behaviours that are unhelpful, we can start to make positive changes.
Self-awareness is correlated with success in life. Being self-aware enables a person to reflect on situations that may not have gone to plan. Rather than engaging in avoidance or defensive type behaviours, a self-aware person can look at how things could have been done better.
Self-awareness means that we are less likely to blame others or make excuses for things that go wrong in our lives. We can improve self-awareness in our relationships by developing effective listening skills. Being open and listening objectively to our partners can help strengthen the relationship.
There are numerous ways we can increase our self-awareness. Dr Dan Siegal is a clinical professor of psychiatry and he introduced the ‘Wheel of Awareness’.
The hub represents awareness and the rim contains things we can become aware of. Dr Dan Siegal refers to the ‘Wheel of Awareness’ as a visual metaphor for the integration of consciousness as we differentiate rim-elements and hub-awareness from each other and link them with our focus of attention.
Find out more If any content in this article resonates with you and you’d like to speak with someone at Mates4Mates about seeking support, contact us to find out more about our services. All Mates4Mates services are available for current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members with physical injuries or mental health issues, and their families.
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