Self-awareness is an understanding of yourself and how you are perceived by other people. Being self-aware means being clear and confident about who you are, your values and beliefs, your emotions, and your thinking. Self-aware people have high internal standards, which guide their thinking and actions.

When you are self-aware, you take the time to understand how your emotions and actions impact other people. You can objectively think about your thinking patterns, which helps you to manage your emotions, be more present, and increase your intentionality.

Key Terms

Intentionality helps you understand the importance and purpose of your goals, and directs your mind and actions to help you achieve it. An intentional focus gives you greater clarity around what you want and how to spend your time.

Being present means being focused on one thing, whether that be a task, a project or a conversation, without being easily distracted or lost in thought. Being able to give your full attention to a given situation will help you to be more present.

Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions. People with high levels of emotional intelligence can percept their own feelings, know what they mean, and are aware of how their emotions can affect other people.

Here's a quick video to break it down for you!

Why is self awareness important?

When you lack self-awareness, you stunt the growth of your emotional intelligence. You may find yourself blaming other people or not taking the time to understand other people's points of view. You may also feel anxious, frustrated, or unsure of yourself. Ultimately, self-awareness guides your thinking and actions, increasing your feelings of gratitude as you begin to understand yourself better.

Self Awareness Activities

Here are 10 activities to help improve your self-awareness. By following this advice to get to know yourself better, you can work to improve your mental and physical wellbeing.

Watch the following video

16 Personalities