Why Be Self-Aware?

Being self-aware is important at any age even for senior citizens! Tai Chi was wonderful while it lasted!  It ended last week after 3 lessons.  At the 3^rd lesson the instructor was wearing a boot that people wear when they break their legs.  He told me he was playing pickle ball and ran for the ball and fell. “I have to remember that I am not 30 years old anymore.”  He explained.

 He said he thought he had torn his Achilles tendon but with the boot he could still teach the class. It was a good class but alas my last.  The next day he emailed me to say he went to an orthopedic doctor and the doctor scheduled surgery to repair the Achilles tendon.  He will be out for 6 weeks!  I am really disappointed.

As you age (and we are all aging!) it is even more important to be self-aware.  You must continually monitor yourself so as you and your body change you can make the proper adjustments.  What are some other benefits of becoming more self-aware?  Here is a list of 10 reasons for becoming more self-aware:

1. You need to be self-aware to uncover what you are passionate about.
2. Knowing your strengths, values, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, habits and faults will help you to overcome obstacles that get in your way in work and at home.
3. You can begin to understand what you want in your life and gain insight into planning your future.
4. You will know what you are capable of and you will be able to focus your energy on achieving your goals.  Since you are aware of what you are capable of you will have goals that are achievable.
5. You will know what triggers your emotions and will be able to devise ways to control them so you will not behave inappropriately.
6. You will understand your behavior and choose good projects and jobs that are right for you.
7. You will see the way that your thoughts and emotions are taking you.  If you aren’t happy with the direction you are going you can alter them if you want to.
8. It will allow you to see gaps in your skills so that you can make plans to improve them.
9. It allows you to understand how you come across to others.
10. You can only understand other people if you understand yourself.  Thus, for leaders, managers, sales professionals, teachers and many others being self-aware is necessary to be successful at their profession.

Here is another blog entry on being self-aware.

Coaching?

One way to become more self-aware is to work with a coach.  I use an array of tools, exercises and assessments to help my clients to become more self-aware.   If you are interested in coaching with me, feel free to send me an email (asparker@asparker.com) or call me on my cell phone at 617-240-5353.  I’d be happy to discuss this with you with no obligation on your part. Not sure you are ready for a coach or that you have a reason to hire a coach, try some of my free resources (especially 5 and 6) on my web page. https://asparker.com/free-resources/ to help you to decide.