3 ways to evaluate & improve your self-awareness

Most of us think we are SELF-AWARE. But research indicates that only 10-15% of us are technically considered highly SELF-AWARE.

The good news is that we can turn up the dial on our self-awareness. By doing so, we improve our communication, our relationships, and our performance. Basically, we will be happier and more successful!

When I work with my coaching clients on self-awareness, we focus on three types of self-awareness that have been identified by researchers:

1. INTROSPECTIVE self-awareness
2. BODILY self-awareness
3. SOCIAL self-awareness

Here’s your summary of pointers to help you elevate your self-awareness across these 3 dimensions.

1. Introspective Self-Awareness

This is another way of describing the INTERNAL or PRIVATE self-awareness of reflecting on your internal state. Introspective self-awareness is about being conscious of your feelings, emotions, desires, and beliefs.

Improving introspective self-awareness involves a lot of self-talk to help you focus on your MINDSET.

3 ways to improve your introspective self-awareness:

1️⃣ Be mindful of your OBJECTIVE
2️⃣ Eliminate DISTRACTIONS
3️⃣ Focus on a MANTRA

2. Bodily Self-Awareness

I read somewhere that bodily awareness allows animals to understand that they are physically different from the rest of the environment; it’s also the reason why animals do not eat themselves.

Wow. Ok, then!

In the context of communication, this means being aware of our BODY LANGUAGE.

The simplest way to improve your bodily self-awareness is by using the 3-Point Body Language Scan:

1️⃣ POSTURE – Stand or sit up straight with an expansive posture.
2️⃣ HANDS – Keep your hands in view, and use slow, purposeful movements.
3️⃣ EYES – Maintain eye contact, and smile with your whole face.

And last but not least…

3. Social Self-Awareness

If you’ve ever been criticized for showing a lack of self-awareness, it’s probably social self-awareness that was being referenced. It’s about how we are perceived by others, and what impact we have on the social dynamic.

3 ways to improve your social self-awareness:

1️⃣ Be EMPATHETIC and other-oriented. How are the other people in the room responding to you? What does theirbody language tell you?

2️⃣ LISTEN in a truly collaborative way. Track the ratio of you vs. others talking.

Wavetop via Canva

3️⃣ Ask for FEEDBACK. As my friend Sharon Mah-Gin says, feedback is a gift! Ask the people with whom you interact for feedback on how you can improve your communication.

That’s it for this week. I hope these suggestions help you to improve your communication effectiveness through better SELF-AWARENESS.

Please forward this email to your friends and colleagues who might be interested in improving their communication skills. THANK YOU!

If you have any questions, suggestions or feedback, please email me anytime. I love hearing from you.

Talk soon,