A Self-Awareness

Self-Awareness and Communication in Relationships - On Developing Self-Awareness and Being Self-Aware

Self-Awareness and Communication in Relationships

People often ask me what to do on a date or in a relationship when trying to start a conversation. Many people who lack self-awareness learned how to communicate in their families or with friends or colleagues and only know one communication style: The one they’ve used since they became adults. Learning a couple of basic skills can help you make the most of communicating with anyone. Try these ideas the next time you are talking to a date or someone you are in a relationship with:

1. Listen actively.
2. Ask open ended questions.
3. Listen actively.
4. Did I mention listening actively?

One of the easiest ways to demonstrate self-awareness and help a conversation get started and build is to listen and ask questions. To be an active listener try the following:

1. Look at the other person.
2. Really listen carefully and give all your attention to what the other person says rather than thinking about what you want to say next.
3. Nod or say uh-huh to indicate you are listening.

Open-ended questions are formed by asking questions that can’t be answered with a yes or no. Ask “What did you think about that?” rather than “I bet your really thought that was horrible.” The open-ended question invites the other person to tell you more rather than answering yes or no.

Try these common sense ideas and you will be on your way to gaining a new, better understanding of other people. What will you do to develop self-awareness and improve the communication in your relationships?

Cheers,

Guy

Self-Awareness and Resilience - On Developing Self-Awareness and Being Self-Aware

Self-Awareness and Resilience

Self-awareness helps you build resilience so you’re able to bounce back from any setback in your life. When you understand your strengths and areas for improvement, you’re able to adjust accordingly, acquire extra knowledge when necessary, and make positive decisions that reflect who you really are.

People who get stuck often lack the perspective to realize that they have other options in life. They’re so focused on one way of doing things that they overlook the many other opportunities that could help them be much more flexible and happy. As you increase your self-awareness you’ll begin to understand that you have a lot of talents and abilities inside you to work through difficult times. Even when obstacles seem insurmountable, you’ll be able to draw on your self-knowledge and live happily and authentically. What will you do to increase your resilience?

Cheers,

Guy

15 Signs of Self-Awareness - On Developing Self-Awareness and Being Self-Aware

15 Signs of Self-Awareness

Here are fifteen signs that a person has self-awareness:

  • Understand themselves better.
  • Behave proactively instead of reactively.
  • Connect more meaningfully with others.
  • Feel more at ease with themselves.
  • Have worked through past hurts.
  • Behave positively.
  • Pursue their dreams.
  • Enjoy positive relationships.
  • Treat others with kindness and compassion.
  • Have less conflict in their lives.
  • Understand where they end and others begin.
  • Have healthy boundaries.
  • Do things to help others.
  • Make the world a better place.
  • Live life based on their true selves.

You’ll know you’re around someone with self-awareness because they are following their dreams and do things in a way that bring joy to themselves and others. What would you add to this list?

Cheers,

Guy

Self-Awareness and Boosting Your Self-Esteem - On Developing Self-Awareness and Being Self-Aware

Self-Awareness and Boosting Your Self-Esteem

People frequently ask me how they can boost their self-esteem, especially when they’re feeling down. Building yourself up is a lifelong and continuing process that requires self-awareness to be able to evaluate and focus your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in order to move forward positively.

There are no set rules on how you should feel on any given day but there are some things that can help you boost your self-awareness and how you feel about yourself. The great thing about self-esteem is that you can increase it at any time, all it takes is some conscious action. Here are some ideas to help you get started:

  • Do things you love doing.
  • Celebrate your successes.
  • Focus on positive things.
  • Associate with people that support you.
  • Listen to your inner voice.
  • Keep moving forward even when it seems difficult.
  • Take small steps but always keep stepping.
  • Develop goals you are working toward.
  • Do nice things for yourself that don’t cost money.
  • Look in the mirror and say positive things to yourself.

Building self-esteem is a process of continuing to support and celebrate yourself. It doesn’t come all at once or even stay constant but you can make sure it is strong by staying active and continuing to take action. There will always be negative things that come along but, if you work on increasing your self-esteem, you will find that you can weather any storm.

What will you do to develop self-awareness and boost your self-esteem?

Cheers,

Guy

Insecurity Is a Normal Part of Self-Awareness - On Developing Self-Awareness and Being Self-Aware

Insecurity Is a Normal Part of Self-Awareness

Insecurity is a normal part of developing self-awareness because it indicates that you understand that some area of your life that needs improvement. No one feels 100% confident all the time and everyone has doubts. The trick is to use those feelings as inspiration to keep learning and growing instead of letting them affect you and others in less that wonderful ways.

People who are always insecure lack the self-awareness to move past those feelings. The key to getting rid of insecurity is to determine what’s causing it and continue taking action even when it feels difficult. As you keep doing positive things, you’ll gradually feel more confident and less insecure.

Here are some signs you’re moving past insecurity:

  • You feel happier and more balanced.
  • You’re able to overcome obstacles.
  • You like yourself more.
  • You feel more confident but not in an arrogant or fake way.
  • You don’t feel the need to compete to prove how great you are.
  • You help other people succeed.
  • You behave with kindness and empathy.

Cheers,

Guy

Your Self-Awareness Journey - On Developing Self-Awareness and Being Self-Aware

Your Self-Awareness Journey

Your self-awareness journey is particular to you. It will go in any direction that you commit to going. That means that you get to choose what you do and how you move forward. Don’t worry about what others say, it’s up to you which path you take. The key is to make decisions based on your authentic self and enjoy the trip. Here are some ideas to get you started:

  • Be open to new ideas and approaches.
  • Commit to getting to know yourself at a deep level.
  • Work on healing your inner hurts.
  • Create an inventory of the things you do well and the areas you want to improve.
  • Talk to some professionals about building self-awareness.
  • Resolve to live your life based on who you really are deep inside.
  • Understand how your emotions, thoughts, and actions affect your life.
  • Decide to live consciously.

Cheers,

Guy

Self-Aware People Are Dynamic Instead of Static - On Developing Self-Awareness and Being Self-Aware

Self-Aware People Are Dynamic Instead of Static

People tend to be static or dynamic, which means that they either want to keep the status quo or value ongoing change. When you lack self-awareness and live a static life, you devote a lot of energy to keeping things as they are, a daunting task since the universe is constantly transforming around you. Being self-aware and dynamic helps you be nimble, flexible and able to handle the challenges that come your way, as well as being happier. Here are some signs that indicate whether you’re static or flexible:

Signs You’re Static
Try to keep things the same.
Struggle with change.
Pine for the good old days.
React to events.
Resist new trends.
Struggle with new ideas.
Look at change as losing something.

Signs You’re Dynamic
Don’t mind if things aren’t the same.
See change as a positive.
Pleased that things are constantly evolving.
Behave proactively to welcome change.
Welcome new trends.
Appreciate new ideas.
View change as gaining something.

In the history of the world, many people have tried to halt change but none has succeeded in the long run. Struggling against change only leads to frustration and disappointment whereas welcoming it makes life easier and more enjoyable. Being static will leave you consistently behind while being dynamic gives you the ability to handle any situation that comes your way.

What will you do to develop self-awareness and be more dynamic?

Cheers,

Guy

The Self-Awareness Guy