In fact, research has shown that people tend to overestimate their negative qualities and underestimate their positive ones - a phenomenon known as the “bias blind spot.” This tendency can make it challenging for us to see ourselves realistically and maintain self-esteem. Unfortunately, dwelling on our mistakes and faults can be much easier for us to do than thinking about the good we’ve accomplished in our lives. One effective method is to acknowledge your accomplishments and strengths. While self-reflection can be daunting, it’s necessary for personal growth. But it can be difficult to be self-reflective - especially if we’re not used to doing so. People who are self-reflective are more likely to be successful in their careers, relationships, and lives.
You might start wondering “what if…” or “if only I…” among many other thoughts.īuild a Positive Future By Establishing a Strong Foundation Ruminating on the past: You might be afraid of self-reflecting because of what you might be afraid of admitting to yourself.And when you’re stuck in this mindset, it’s hard to have any control over your life. Worrying about the future: A lack of self-awareness can make you feel like a spectator, watching life happen while you wait for it to pass.If you don’t know whether or not you should feel an emotion, it can be difficult to express that emotion. Being vague about feelings: It might be too difficult to express your true feelings because you’re not confident in the validity of those feelings.If you can’t define who you are, then how can you make meaningful choices? So, when faced with a decision, you might avoid it by doing nothing. Avoiding hard decisions: When you’re not self-aware, you don’t have a clear sense of self.In the midst of a crisis, some people may try to avoid feelings of guilt by shifting the blame to someone else. Criticizing others: Since nothing is your fault, it has to be somebody else’s fault.You might use humor and sarcasm to deflect criticism or questions about yourself. Never admitting mistakes: You’re not the type of person to apologize, because nothing is ever really your fault.To establish a positive foundation for building your future, it’s essential to take the time to self-reflect and think about who you are, where you come from, and what your goals are.įailing to do so can lead to negative outcomes, such as: In other words, self-aware people are able to see their own behavior from an objective perspective instead of just reacting emotionally. Self-awareness is defined as “the ability to accurately perceive one’s emotions, behaviors, and personality.” It also encompasses the ability to recognize how these aspects influence others.
#Self awareness comes from self reflection professional#
This lack of self-awareness can hinder personal and professional growth, leading to a failure to reflect on one’s strengths and weaknesses. It’s easy to assume that we are self-aware (95% of people think they are), but research shows that only a small percentage of individuals truly are (10-15%). Regular self-reflection can help us gain a greater sense of self-awareness, which most of us are in dire need of. When it comes to personal growth and development, self-reflection and self-awareness are critical components.
Instead, I urge you to build a positive future for yourself by focusing on intentional self-reflection. You might be tempted to push back or even hide from these aftershocks. The same applies to the emotional aftershocks you might experience after a traumatic event, such as a major career setback. Sometimes, aftershocks can cause more damage than the initial earthquake. After recovering from a major career setback, you might suffer from emotional “aftershocks.” An aftershock is usually used to describe small earthquakes that occur in a region that just experienced a major earthquake.