“You can’t know yourself without constantly asking questions, and you won’t grow if you think you have nothing to learn.”

Self-awareness in philosophy means experiencing one’s own personality. Therefore, being self-aware means knowing and focusing on yourself enough to watch your actions, thoughts, and emotions, and check if they align with your internal standards or values.

It means having a powerful realization of your personality, including strengths and weaknesses, thoughts and beliefs, emotions, and motivation. 

However, some people do not have the level of self-awareness that can help them foster personal growth. Below, I have put together 4 simple steps to developing self-awareness. 

1. Look at yourself objectively

Understanding one’s self might be an arduous process to go through, but with the right attitude, taking this step can be very rewarding. Looking at oneself objectively makes it easy to improve one’s self. But how do you do this? 

You start by being honest with yourself about your situation and capabilities. Psychologists call this cognitive dissonance, and it’s a defense mechanism we use to relieve the tension between who we are and who we believe we are.

If you want to feel good, keep pretending. But if you want to improve your relationships, career, business or health, be honest. See your flaws and you’ll stay teachable and grow.

2. Keep a journal

You can write anything and everything in a journal. Writing thoughts down on paper relieves stress and clears the mind for new ideas. Create a specific time each night to write about your thoughts, feelings, successes, and failures for the day. This helps to keep track of your daily progress or the lack of it, which will spur self-growth. 

As you write, think about your actions, how you led people, or how you helped people. Think about your core values and the most important things that you are grateful for at that moment. 

3. Outline goals and priorities

Write. This time, not just anything in your journal. This time, write your goals, your plans, and your priorities. But don’t forget to break the big goals into smaller goals, so it is less overwhelming. 

When we set goals and achieve them it creates a sense of self-awareness as we then get to realise our strengths, weakness, and potential. 

If you find it hard to set goals and achieve them, follow the SMART goal setting rule; setting specific, measurable, and achievable goals that are relevant and within a set timeframe. 

4. Reflect

Becoming highly self-aware requires self-reflection. I advise you to set aside time for this activity, if possible, every day to view yourself in the light that you desire. However, keep in mind that daily self- reflection is more effective when you write your thoughts down and when done in solitude. 

The poverty of solitude in our society is so extreme that we don’t even notice it. Take a walk alone regularly, and that small, invincible voice inside of you will speak again.

Many people get scared of admitting their weaknesses, challenges, and strengths. But I hope that this article has given you an insight into developing a level of self-awareness that fosters personal growth.