We live in a world where there are thousands of factors that are outside our control, and sometimes these external influences can impact how we think, feel, and act. Fortunately, practicing self-awareness can give you the insight and tools to hone your focus and to recognize the things that you can control.
Using self-reflection gives you the power to decide how to deal with external factors. In this article, we’ll point out specific self-awareness examples that you likely encounter in your everyday life.
By identifying these mindfulness opportunities, you can discover ways to look within to capitalize on the potential benefits.
We’ll start by defining self-awareness, give you a series of examples where it’s beneficial, dive into a full list of benefits, and end with tips on how to begin incorporating it into your life. You’ll leave with the insight you need to start a daily practice and start reaping the rewards right away.
What is Self-Awareness?
There are many different ways to define self-awareness. At a high level, it means that you recognize how you are reacting physically, mentally, and emotionally to situations and understand how these reactions shape your perception of the world.
This practice of internal observation means you know and understand your biases, limiting beliefs, inherent intuitions, and preferences. By identifying these factors, you can also predict how you will react in unexpected situations and work to both pro-actively and positively influence the outcome.
Self-aware individuals are often more optimistic and see opportunities rather than obstacles. They are able to dive to the root of their problems to find solutions. Knowing how you react to the world around you means that you’re able to examine your reality, be honest with yourself about your limitations, and work to improve them.
Knowledge is power, and self-aware people truly know themselves, which unlocks the powerful potential to maximize every aspect of your life.
Self-Awareness Examples
There are many structured ways to practice self-awareness to reap the benefits. Fortunately, you don’t need to spend hours every day in introspection to see results. In fact, you likely already have moments of this type of clarity daily, and may not even know it.
Here, we’ll give you ten examples of physical and emotional self-awareness, and tips on how to use them to your benefit. These may help you realize areas where you’re already self-aware, or they could inspire you to dive deeper into understanding how you react to these types of situations.
Example 1: Know How You Wake Up in the Morning
In this first example, we’ll start with a simple question. Are you a morning person?
Most people are able to answer yes or no definitively and tie that answer back to their behavior. For example, if you’re someone who wakes up before your alarm or as soon as it goes off and immediately gets out of bed to start your day, then you probably identify as a morning person.
On the other hand, if you’re in a long-term relationship with your snooze button and would much rather stay in bed than get to work on time, the chances are good that you believe that you’re not.
People who are self-aware know how their body and mind operate first thing in the morning and have the opportunity to make the most of their natural preferences. If you’re someone who knows that you need a few rounds with the snooze button, for example, you might set your alarm a bit earlier or lay out your clothes the night before to give you the extra time you need to catch a few more minutes of sleep.
Early risers can also use this self-awareness to maximize their potential during the day. If you know that your energy lags in the late afternoon, you can stack your most important tasks and meetings early so that you ensure you’re at your best when it matters most.
As with all self-awareness, there’s no “right” or “wrong” answer. Morning people aren’t better than anyone else, and it doesn’t matter which group you align with. What matters is that you understand what’s natural for you so that you can optimize your routine and environment using the factors that are within your control.
Example 2: Do a Quick Full-Body Scan
Our bodies are incredible machines, and they are constantly sending us feedback throughout the day to tell us when things are going well, and when they aren’t. Most people aren’t self-aware enough to check-in regularly. Often, they only realize that their body is trying to tell them that something is off when it manifests negatively, like through pain or sickness.
Aches, pains, and illnesses are easy to recognize, but it’s likely that your body will give you dozens of smaller signals along the way to let you know that something isn’t right. If you’re able to notice them early enough, you can typically avoid the more serious consequences.
The easiest way to do this is by doing a three-minute full-body scan once a day (or more). Sit or stand someplace quiet, close your eyes, and start at your toes. While taking deep breaths, think about each of your body parts from bottom to top, and take notice if something feels off.
Some people like to flex or contract their muscles as they go, while others prefer to do this as a visual exercise. Spend a few seconds on each part before moving to the next and then use that feedback to adjust your routine.
You could discover you need more rest, to change up your diet, or to stretch a sore muscle. Taking the time to focus on these small adjustments now could save you from nursing an injury or sickness later.
Example 3: Understand Your Level of Self-Discipline
Some people thrive in regimented environments. Others prefer flexibility and exercise varying levels of self-discipline to achieve their goals. One isn’t better than the other, but it is critical that you recognize your preference so that you can put yourself in situations where you have the opportunity to thrive.
For example, if you are someone who prefers to have a daily to-do list and a regimented routine at work, you’ll want to pursue a career in a structured environment. Look for reliable hours and a strong leadership structure to put yourself in the best position for success.
Conversely, if you want an adaptable schedule and the flexibility to work on your passion projects day-to-day, then you should look for less regimented opportunities that allow that flexibility.
Regardless of what type of discipline resonates the most with you, give yourself grace and know that no one is perfect all the time. Simply being self-aware of how you operate best doesn’t mean that you’ll always be at your peak performance, and that’s okay.
Example 4: Mentally Recap a Conversation
One of the simplest self-awareness examples that most people do on a daily basis is mentally recapping conversations. Have you ever thought back on a time that you delivered a message that was well-received, or conversely, had a miscommunication with someone that lead to conflict?
By revisiting your words, how you expressed yourself, questions you asked, how you listened, and the reactions of everyone involved in the conversation, you’re doing a self-awareness exercise.
Be careful not to turn this into an opportunity to be critical of yourself. Rather, try to stay curious and think through how things could have gone differently or had a more favorable outcome. Using this technique to self-reflect and look for future opportunities for success in both your personal and professional life.
Example 5: Recognize Something Beautiful
Life happens quickly, and it’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle and not take time to appreciate things that make you happy. Fortunately, one easy way to help recenter your focus and to take a moment to concentrate on self-awareness is to appreciate something beautiful.
Start by thinking about the types of things that bring you joy and make your heart feel full. Do you enjoy looking at beautiful artwork? Does listening to music calm your mind? Is a walk outdoors where you can appreciate nature a sure-fire way to lift your spirits?
Be self-aware enough to know how to treat your senses, and make time to do it every week. This small self-care practice can help improve your mood and state of mind long after the moment has passed.
Example 6: Examine Your Anger
Anger is a normal, natural emotion that everyone feels from time to time. Sometimes, our anger is justified, but in other instances, it’s a byproduct of a lack of self-awareness around a larger issue.
Although it’s not unhealthy to feel angry, if you’re unable to work through the emotion, then it could negatively impact your life. If you’re having trouble moving past your anger, then it might be time for some self-reflection to dig deep into the root of the issue.
Try to take a step back from the situation and ask yourself questions to understand your feelings. Try to identify things like:
- What about the person or situation is making you angry?
- Are you truly angry, or is it possible that you’re feeling hurt or insecure?
- What does staying mad accomplish?
- Is there a benefit to staying angry in this situation?
- Are you hurting others with your anger? Is that your goal?
This isn’t an easy exercise, especially if you have a good reason to be upset. However, harboring ongoing feelings of anger and resentment can have significant negative consequences. Not only can it destroy relationships, but it may also damage your health.
You can’t control anything outside of how you think and feel about a situation, and having self-awareness about your anger could be the key to letting it go so that you can live a more positive life.
Example 7: Acknowledge How Others Respond to You
There are many different data points you can use when you cultivate self-awareness. Introspection and understanding of how you internally process thoughts and feelings are important, but you can also look to your interactions with others for some interesting insights.
Pay attention to how people react to you to understand how you’re received by those you interact with.
We’ve all known someone who wrongly believes they are lovable and easy to get along with. What they might see as charm and charisma others perceive as being fake, not genuine, or even boastful.
Examine your interactions to become self-aware of situations where you may not be presenting yourself as intended. For example, if you’re trying to be sarcastic or funny, and somehow, people perceive you as rude, then it’s possible that there are ways to improve your delivery to be true to your intended message.
Remember, you can’t control others, and their internal influences will shape many of their perceptions. This example isn’t about trying to be likable, but rather, it’s about recognizing patterns.
If one time one person takes something you say or do the wrong way, then it’s likely that has more to do with them than it does with you. However, if frequently people misinterpret you or develop similar incorrect assumptions, then there may be an opportunity to modify your behavior to present your more genuine self.
Example 8: Analyze the Behaviors of People Who Have What You Want
We all have goals and aspirations. Often, there are people who have already achieved the things that we want in life. Through self-awareness, we can use them as examples to help to shape our thoughts and actions to find that same success.
You can do this on a small-scale, like within your own career path. Look at the people who have the role in your organization that you aspire to and pay attention to their behaviors.
How do they speak to their peers and employees? What types of qualities do they have? What words would you use to describe them?
Then, self-reflect to see where your opportunities lie. If you already emulate many of the qualities that make them excellent leaders, then find ways to continue to shine, and your success will follow.
If you identify gaps where you can improve your skills and talents to influence the way that others see you, then you’ll know what changes to implement to further your rise in the ranks.
This isn’t about making yourself a carbon copy of your boss or the President of the company. Rather, it’s about identifying the qualities that make them great and then being self-aware enough to harness your strengths to emulate similar leadership skills.
Example 9: Recognize When You Fidget
Often, our emotions manifest in physical actions. When you’re not self-aware, things like anger or impatience can bubble to the surface through movements like tapping your toe, drumming your fingers, or other types of fidgeting.
The next time you notice that you’re feeling physically restless, tap into your emotional state to discover what’s happening on the inside. Although it’s natural to feel frustrated if you have to wait longer than expected or things are taking more time than planned, it’s also an opportunity to reframe your mindset.
A long line is a great example of something that you can’t predict or control. What you can change, however, is your mental state and how you react to the wait. Rather than tapping your toe or fidgeting restlessly, use the time to catch up on emails, send a text to your mom, or strike up a conversation with a stranger.
Realizing how your feeling gives you a chance to make the experience more enjoyable before you become angry.
Example 10: Head off Your Road Rage
There’s nothing worse than heading home after a long day at work only to be stuck in traffic surrounded by drivers who aren’t paying attention. Right?
Unfortunately, this already irritating situation can be made worse by irrational anger that manifests as “road rage.” Some studies say that over half of the fatal crashes that happen each year are due to aggressive driving that can be a symptom of road rage.
But there’s good news. Just like feelings of anger, the frustration of road rage can be managed with a small dose of self-awareness. When you start to feel the urge to yell profanities, lay on your horn, or weave in and out of traffic pop up, take a moment to breathe deep and assess your overall emotional state.
Although the other drivers may seem like the source of your frustration at first glance, you’ll quickly realize that they are an element that you can not control. What you can influence is how you react to the situation.
If you’re stuck in the car for longer than expected thanks to a traffic jam, find ways to make the most of your time. This might be the perfect opportunity to call a friend and catch up, to make appointments or arrangements via phone that you’ve been procrastinating, or to listen to a TED Talk or audiobook for self-development.
Head off your feelings of road rage before they turn into a no-win situation and use self-awareness to replace them with something positive.
Benefits of Using Self-Awareness
There are dozens of potential benefits of self-awareness. Because we deal with thousands of external factors that we can’t control on a daily basis, only those who take time for introspection are able to identify those that they can influence.
Here’s a summary of three of the many potential benefits of following these self-awareness examples.
Better Emotional Intelligence
Emotionally intelligent people have an excellent mastery of how they express their emotions. Sometimes also referred to as emotional quotient, or EQ, the skill means that you’re seen as being empathetic, an excellent listener, and someone who has amazing interpersonal relationships.
Having a high EQ means you know how to communicate well, overcome challenges, mitigate conflict, and relieve stress in both personal and professional environments. It can make you both a great leader and friend if you use it to your advantage.
Improved Decision Making
If you are highly self-aware, you’re more likely to be adaptable and respond well to unexpected situations. By knowing and understanding how and why you react the way you do to a variety of situations, you’re prepared to engage in critical thinking and make the right choice when you need to make a quick decision.
Put simply; you trust yourself to do what’s right. With that trust, you empower yourself to make better choices.
Excellent Communication Skills
If you’re highly self-aware, then you often pay attention to how people respond to you. While that in and of itself won’t necessarily make you an excellent communicator, it will lay the groundwork for you to identify areas you thrive and opportunities for improvement.
By using external self-awareness techniques, you can foster good relationships and learn the best ways to share your message so that they resonate with your audience. Whether it’s with your colleagues, your boss, your spouse, or your children, you have the potential to tap into your unique style and use it to your advantage.
Ways to Become More Self-Aware
There are many different types of structure self-awareness activities that you can do to get started with the practice. Over time, you’ll likely discover that you constantly check in with yourself throughout the day, and reflective moments become second nature to you.
This level of comfort will only come if you make it part of your daily routine. Try starting by incorporating one of these techniques to begin to create the habit.
Keep a Journal
There are legitimate health benefits to journaling, and it’s one of the simplest things you can do daily to help boost your self-awareness. It doesn’t matter if you write down your ideas by hand or use an online journal, as long as you take the time to make a thoughtful, personal entry.
Start by writing down things that happened during the day. What were some of your successes? Did you have any failures? How did these things make you feel? Identifying these key experiences will help to guide your focus and hone in on your achievements.
During this reflection, you might also want to focus on how others perceived you and your actions. Were there any notable moments that you liked or disliked the results of your communication? Document what happened and why.
This is also a good time to reinforce your values and to define your “why.” Remind yourself of your driving purpose and then revisit your day. Did your words and actions support your larger purpose? If not, how can you change that tomorrow?
Write it all down, and then let it go. Tomorrow is a new day to learn and evolve.
Document Your Goals and Priorities
You are 42% more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down. By taking your big, abstract dream and putting it on paper, you’re forcing your brain to begin conceptualizing how you will make it happen.
Take it a step further by breaking your long-term goal down into step-by-step actions and short-term milestones so that you can start to tackle it and find success every day.
This act will keep your most important priorities top of mind and make it simple to realign your thoughts when you realize you’re drifting from your purpose because of life’s normal distractions.
Meditate
If you want to be more self-aware, you can begin by adding mindfulness-focused activities into your routine. Meditation is a great example. It’s easy to do and only takes a few moments each day to find clarity and reflection.
You could use a guided app to help get you centered, or you can do it on your own. Sit in a comfortable position somewhere that you won’t be disturbed and set a timer. You can start with three to five minutes, and may eventually want to work up to a 15-minute or more daily practice.
Take a few deep breaths to calm your body and prepare yourself to draw inward. You can set a purpose to your meditation, like asking one question that you want to probe and explore during your time. Examples might be:
- What is your dream?
- What’s your most important goal today?
- What positive things happened today?
- What are you grateful for?
- What’s limiting you? Can you let it go?
Try to focus on your breath and let your thoughts flow naturally. These few minutes of mindfulness might open the door to a new solution to a problem or reset your mental state to prepare you to tackle your next challenge.
Use Self-Awareness to Enhance Your Life
Self-awareness is a tool that can help you be happier and more successful. When you know and understand what’s happening on the inside, you immediately have more control over your life and your ability to achieve your goals.
There are dozens of ways to incorporate self-reflection into your daily life, and the ten examples in this article only begin to scratch the surface of your potential.
Remember, you don’t need to spend hours every day in self-reflection. Begin with a 15-minute daily practice and eventually, it will become second nature. Once you see the changes you’re seeking begin to manifest; you’ll likely search for more ways to use this powerful tool to your advantage.