Four Ways To Massively Grow Your Self-Awareness
Life is hard. What makes it harder is when we spend our precious time without fully knowing and understanding ourselves. Self-awareness, thus, becomes the antidote to the wide-eyed optimism that a lot of us operate with, especially in the early years.
But to be self-aware doesn’t only mean to be grounded. It is, in fact, the correct estimation of our limitations and our strengths. In other words, self-awareness isn’t meant to reign us in, it’s meant to drive us forward — smartly.
Having said that, self-awareness is hardly a linear process. It’s complex, deep, ongoing and ever-changing. We are all constantly altering our perspective and finding new things about ourselves. But the thing is:
The revelations and realizations that we do have mostly happen late and the cost we have paid is often high (especially in the time department).
Therefore, it’s essential to get ahead of this pattern and really take efforts in understanding ourselves.
Whether it’s examining our repetitive behaviors and life preferences or just putting ourselves in testing conditions, we need to have that volunteering streak if we are to attain greater self-awareness.
Here are four (somewhat unconventional) ways that do help:
Running Marathons
(Difficulty level: 4.5/5)
This seems like a ridiculously difficult way to gain some self-knowledge. And it is — unquestionably. Running a marathon is one of the hardest tests that an average person can put himself/herself through. But what it does for you physically and especially mentally is unparalleled.
We all have heard about how pushing yourself to such a degree builds character and raises confidence and mental toughness. (Insert yourself into any Nike ad if you have trouble picturing it). But, also, while you are preparing for a martahon and then subsequently run the thing, you are also constantly tackling one of the key elements of self-awareness: self-talk.
The way we speak to ourselves in times of distress and struggle really do determine our personalities and life stories. And running — so much running! — is a great opportunity to get to know the voices in our head that dictate our lives.
Half-marathons, 10Ks and Triathlons are all valid substitutions if you don’t want to run 42 kilometers (26 miles).
Journalling
Difficulty level: (2/5)
If marathons are too massive of an undertaking, how about a convenient and nearly effort-free way to become self-aware? Journalling might look too benign and high-school-y to some but it’s serious rise in popularity of late is not without merit. From business leaders to spiritual gurus to athletes all have come out advocating this pen-on-paper technique that has been around for centuries.
While journalling’s benefits are far-reaching (depending on how one uses it), it almost guarantees to get one in touch with the workings of one’s head. Putting words on paper on a regular basis helps us identify patterns of our thoughts and how they change with mood and events surrounding our lives. Thus, creating a firmer grasp on our actions and behavior.
There are a slew of journalling apps and websites that one can choose from. A simple pen and pad work to perfection as well.
Going to a Therapist
(Difficulty level: 4/5)
Unarguably the most effective activity on the list, therapy is also the hardest and the most time-consuming. Hardest because it often uncovers things about ourselves that we are afraid to deal with and time-consuming because going to therapy often means committing to a process — not just an hour every week but rectifying and scrutinizing our behaviors in the real world as well.
There is a strong argument that everyone at some point should go and sit in front of a professional. Of course, not everyone needs to but there are elements of our unconscious minds that do bother us and make an impact on our real-life decisions and behaviors. Or, as author Mark Manson points out in one of his articles, “Therapy is one of those tricky things, like most self-development tools, because it’s rarely ever a bad thing to do.”
Medical apps are a great way to find reliable doctors in your proximity.
Identifying Your Myers-Briggs Personality Type
(Difficulty level: 1/5)
And finally something that you can pretty much finish in your next lunch break. Myers Briggs Type Indicator or MBTI is a savvy way for those seeking to understand themselves. Focused on deep psychological analysis, this seemingly innocuous study can now be seen and applied everywhere from business schools to corporate sector to academia.
Of course, the study’s theory and validity has long been in debate. Even from an individual point of view, it will be unwise to see the results of this personality test as something set in stone. But as far as online personality tests go, this is the most expansive and accurate test there is.
Of course, nobody is advising you to base your whole life based on one specific test result. But, it is helpful to gain concrete information on our personality make-up and understand how and why we respond to different challenges of life.
16personalities.com is a good resource for MBTI testing.
Self-awareness is essential if you are seeking effectiveness and well-being. And to illustrate its importance, I’ll leave you with a quote I love:
“Your own Self-Realization is the greatest service you can render the world.”
― Ramana Maharshi
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