{"id":37652,"date":"2015-12-23T11:22:27","date_gmt":"2015-12-23T19:22:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/?p=37652"},"modified":"2016-09-05T13:17:35","modified_gmt":"2016-09-05T21:17:35","slug":"9-steps-creating-self-awareness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/9-steps-creating-self-awareness\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Steps to Creating Self-Awareness"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The path to self-improvement starts with self-awareness – the ability to have a clear understanding of your personality, strengths, values, weaknesses, motivations and emotions. The awareness of why you do what you do helps you develop the process that will move you forward. Where you focus your behavior, thoughts and emotions determines the direction your life will take.<\/p>\n

When I was in college I took a swimming class. The professor made a statement that has stayed\u00a0with me to this day. As we were learning new swimming styles she said we had to know what\u00a0our body was doing. We had to be aware of how our legs, arms and breathing were all moving\u00a0to make sure they were working together. This awareness would propel us through the water efficiently and effectively.<\/p>\n

Creating Self-Awareness<\/strong><\/p>\n

This working together of all the parts isn\u2019t learned from a book. It\u2019s a skill we have to practice,\u00a0by staying aware and making a concerted effort to create a necessary change mid-stream.\u00a0Changes in your behavior is easier if you catch them in the early stage before your emotions\u00a0and thoughts have taken over.<\/p>\n

Define your core values.<\/strong> What are the five most important things about you? Yes you may be\u00a0a hard worker or a good parent, but dig deeper. Is it honesty, creativity, integrity, joy, faith,\u00a0that is important to you? These core values are the net you can fall back on when a trying\u00a0event occurs. Go a step further and write a short personal mission statement with your top\u00a0five core values.<\/p>\n

Keep a journal.<\/strong> One of the most effective ways I have found to keep me on track is to write\u00a0daily. In addition to other thoughts, I write down at least three items that went really well for\u00a0me and the at least one opportunity for improvement. Go even further and;<\/p>\n

Engage in self-reflection.<\/strong> As I look at the events that didn\u2019t quite go as well as they could, how\u00a0could I have turned that into a victory? Cut off in traffic \u2013 instead of engaging in a bout of road\u00a0rage, breath and think about why this event made you angry? Are you late for work? Just had\u00a0a fight with your spouse? Is the way you are about to handle this event congruent with your\u00a0core values?<\/p>\n

Write your own manifesto<\/strong>. A manifesto is defined as a declaration of one\u2019s beliefs, opinions,\u00a0motives and intentions. It\u2019s simply a written statement that declares what is important to you.\u00a0Incorporate your core values and your personal mission statement into your manifesto.<\/p>\n

What are your habits?<\/strong> Most of us go through the day thinking we make conscious decisions. When in reality, our behaviors are rote from years of habits.\u00a0 What activities do you engage in when you first wake up? \u00a0Do you hit the snooze button? Or do you get up right away, drink a glass of water and write in a journal.\u00a0 The person who hits the snooze button and turns over for an extra half hour of sleep is a very different person than the one who engages in productive morning activities.<\/p>\n

Do your emotions rule the day?<\/strong>\u00a0 Many of us allow our emotions to decide the course of action we will take at any given moment.\u00a0 When we react in the moment \u2013 we don\u2019t allow that time to consider another alternative or perhaps just not reacting at all.\u00a0 When an emotion, such as anger, pops up just sit with it and see what happens.\u00a0 It may take five minutes or an hour but the emotion will pass.\u00a0 Also, going for a walk or a jog will help you from engaging in a decision you may regret later!<\/p>\n

Keep engaging in self-awareness exercises.<\/strong> Make this a habit and strengthen your self-awareness muscle. Surround yourself with people who encourage your exploration into self-awareness activities.<\/p>\n

Take care of yourself.<\/strong> Exercise and proper nutrition feed our body and keep us alert. When we\u00a0feel our best it\u2019s easier to be positive.<\/p>\n

Life is a journey not a destination.<\/strong> As you delve more into your own awareness you will\u00a0discover your authenticity and what is really important to you. Over time you can evaluate\u00a0your core values and where you are with your job, relationships, etc. and adjust. I know today I\u00a0am a different person than I was twenty years ago. Being able to let go of the things in my life\u00a0that don\u2019t fit anymore and getting my emotions and habits on track were instrumental in making substantial improvement in my life.<\/p>\n

Shelly is a personal development strategist and founder of The Rescue Yourself Project <\/a>helping women over 40 step into their unique selves so they can create a life they love! \u00a0A few years ago, she\u00a0found herself living a life that wasn’t of her making. Deciding that wasn’t what she wanted she ran away from home and spent eight months “re-branding” herself. Today Shelly helps women find their unique selves by becoming experts about their values, strengths, passions, goals and purpose so they can design a life they love. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The path to self-improvement starts with self-awareness – the ability to have a clear understanding of your personality, strengths, values, weaknesses, motivations and emotions. 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