Easy Ways to Figure Out Who You Are
By Sandy Schroeder
If you sometimes find yourself in difficult situations and wonder what happened, becoming more self aware may help you figure everything out. Nobody is perfect but the more we know about ourselves the more effective we can become.
When I puzzle over relationships, arguments or situations gone awry, I usually wind up looking at what I have done or said and why. It is not always easy to take a look at myself, but it usually helps me head in new directions. Don't be afraid to ask the hard questions. Just benefit from the answers.
Real Simple has some simple steps to help us get started.
Open the door to new things - Reach out to meet new people. Look for new resources at work and in your community. Find new ways to help others. Each new situation may give you a better view of yourself and create opportunities to grow. Whenever I help others, I become more grateful for what I have and see things more clearly.
Invite opinions from others - Ask your family, your boss and your friends for feedback on what they see. You may not always love their answers, but whatever they say may help you in the long run. Often friends hesitate to interfere, but when you ask for their views they are happy to speak up and help as they draw on their own experiences.
Trace your negative feelings - When you are mad, sad or confused, there are usually stories behind the feelings that tell us more. Take the time to think about what happened as you try to fix things and avoid similar situations in the future. When you know where a relationship got hung up or a project went sideways, it's easier to make things work better.
Think about your values - What we choose to do often tells us what we value the most. Think about your usual schedule and typical day. What gets most of your attention? Where do you want to be in the future? When you understand your values, everything else may fall into place.
Keep a journal - As you get to know yourself better, you may see your journal entries pick up speed and sound a lot more positive. One great experience often leads to more. Keep going and enjoy the results of your efforts.
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