Self-awareness is having the ability to be conscious of your individuality which include your distinctive personality, thoughts, feelings, and actions. It is having the knowledge on why you do what you do and the motives behind it.
When you are able to stand apart and observe your thoughts, moods and involvements in life, you will become more accountable and responsible and will appreciate your uniqueness. This will lead to self discovery and then guide you toward personal and spiritual growth.
Awareness of who you are and how you relate to everything in the universe will enable you to gain understanding and self acceptance. You'll know when and how to allow, cope or deal with a situation or problem.
When you begin to develop self-awareness and become mindful, awake and alert, you will discover what you never have realized about yourself and how you've participated in creating your destiny.
"I think self-awareness is probably the most important thing towards being a champion." - Billie Jean King
Take time of to capture the snapshots of the day. Write down your feelings and responses. Jot down your inner dialogs. Write down everything that you notice within and outside you. Get to know yourself through your writing by noticing the patterns of your thoughts and reactions.
You may find it difficult to listen because of the clutter that is going around. Persist and focus. What have you been telling yourself? Whose voice is dominating your self talk? What is it telling you? Communicate with your conscience. Ask questions and listen for answers.
What images is your mind showing? Are they pictures on unresolved issues, humiliation, or pains that happened many years ago? Are you in the images or watching from afar? Do you still hear the voices very clearly as though it is happening at the present moment?
Once you aware that you can replay your memories in detail, it's time to change them to something you want to experience. Imagine a different story and visualize this new mental movie. You can also use the Mind Movies tool to help you visualize.
What do you do when you are under pressure or when someone pushes your button? How do you talk to yourself outwardly and inwardly? Do you go into a rage or do you hide under the covers? Did you blame yourself or others? Look at your reactions from an observer's point of view. How do you evaluate yourself?
Observe people's behaviors. Listen to the language and speech. Watch what they do. Is there any trait that is useful to you and can be modeled? Are they doing something that you are not? Keep your eyes and ears open to new possibilities and learning.
The sun rises and sets at its predestined time. Light comes after dawn followed by darkness in the night. Birds fly and build their nests and spiders construct their webs without being taught. There is a time when the tide is low and high. What can you learn from these and the many other demonstrations of life and living?
Self-awareness is usually attained when the mind is relaxed and quiet. Meditate. Pray. Stay calm. Connect with your deeper self. Reflect on your experiences and life events. Persist through the boredom of doing nothing. Listen to your inner guidance. Examine and investigate your thoughts.
Don't take your breathing for granted. Practice proper breathing. Send more oxygen to your brain to function better. Proper deep breathing is essential to your health and will affect the quality of your life.
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