How to Look in the Mirror and See More Clearly
By Sandy Schroeder
Self-awareness can be a tricky thing. When we look in the mirror, we may half close our eyes to not see that extra 10 pounds or a small wrinkle. At the same time, it may be hard to see how others see us mentally, emotionally and physically.
Learning more about self-awareness can make a huge difference in our effectiveness in dealing with others.
RealSimple.com suggests some simple steps that may help us open the door wider and understand others as we more clearly see ourselves. See what you think of these suggestions.
Open the door to new experiences - We have all been very conservative in the past year, but now we can gradually reach out to the world again. This may be the ideal time to try a new yoga, tai chi or meditation class. Or it may a great time to plant a garden for the first time, or learn a new language in a community class. Each time we try new things we learn more about ourselves.
Ask for feedback - Most of us supply ongoing criticisms and comments to ourselves. Some can be very negative when we make a mistake, forget something or simply create a difficult situation. Reaching out to friends, family and co-workers for an honest assessment can be an eye-opening experience. Try to listen to what's being said and even take notes if you need to. These are people who you know, care about and interact with every day. They may see things that you are simply not aware of.
Really think about your beliefs - Take some time to outline who you are and what is important to you. If you are a word person this could take a while, but as you list your opinions, thoughts and convictions you may get a better picture of who you are and what others see. You might create a profile and add to it as you think of things.
Write in a journal every day - Becoming self aware is an ongoing process that can take many different shapes. Start making daily entries about your life, your actions, and the reactions that you are getting. You might also add notes about what you are reading, what you are doing, and anything else that you wish. As these entries accumulate, go back and review them to see if you can spot patterns, or changes.
At first it may be hard to put these steps into play. We are all eager to move ahead and connect with smiles, words, meetings and calls, but if they miss the target it's important to understand why. Knowing who we are and how others see us can make a huge difference.
Stay tuned to you and learn from every minute.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Seal Beach, Calif.