So, what is the big deal about self-awareness, anyway? Aren’t we all aware of who we are, where, and what we are doing? Let’s dive deeper to discover why self-awareness is essential in a steady approach to dealing with physician burnout/fulfillment.
What is Self-Awareness
The term originated in 1972 when Duval and Wicklund stated that self-awareness was “when we focus our attention on ourselves, and we evaluate and compare our current behavior to our internal standards and values.”
Self-awareness is not a static entity or knowledge base but a dynamic way of continually learning about ourselves. It is both a frame of mind, a process, a way of knowing, and a skill.
From the broadest angle, self-awareness involves ongoing cognizance of our core values, i.e., what is essential in our life, our principles, and our standards. By being aware of our values, we can set goals and take the actions that move us toward what we want to be.
On a fundamental level, self-awareness involves continually monitoring emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. The real skill lies in managing the relationship between these entities so that we can guide our behaviors in line with our values.
I believe that self-awareness is central and critical to maintaining a steady and productive approach to life.
- It helps us to know when and how to make adjustments in our lives to maintain balance.
- It guides our behavior in response to life circumstances by enhancing our agility.
- It enables us to better connect with others by creating the empathy necessary to meet them where they’re at.
Several research studies have highlighted the crucial role that self-awareness plays in success. One such study by Green Peak Partners and Cornell University examined high-profile executives and found that “a high self-awareness score was the strongest predictor of overall success.”
Getting Started
Here are some tips to help promote the skill of self-awareness.
Identify a Time and a Space: Don’t wait for the time for self-reflection to automatically present itself. It won’t happen. You will have to carve out the time and choose a place. You don’t need a lot of time. Commit to 15 minutes daily and expand the time if it feels right.
Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness is a practice that promotes an awareness of self. It is not mystical, nor does it require any formal training. Mindfulness is learning to be in the moment, focusing on our internal state and surroundings. It also involves nonjudgmentally monitoring, but not processing, thoughts, and feelings as they pass through us.
Keep a Journal: This is very important. Whatever we write will likely be about our emotions, thoughts, and behavior. Unlike “freestyling it in our head,” which tends to become circular and tangential, writing is linear, promotes forward movement, and leaves a “trail of breadcrumbs” so that we can follow and learn from the process.
Coaching for Self-Awareness
As we can see, developing and maintaining an awareness of self is central and critical for growth. It requires patience and persistence to develop the necessary skills.
As a coach, I facilitate this process in several ways.
- The coach provides a “judgment-free space,” essential for developing self-awareness. They guide you in ensuring you don’t overlook the positives and accept the less pleasant awakenings to ensure continued forward movement.
- Through powerful questioning, while following your lead, the coach can help you “dive deeper” into understanding your values.
- By helping you to track your “flow,” the coach promotes your ability to know your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and work with them in concert with one another to keep you on a steady course toward fulfillment.
- By providing accountability, the coach keeps you on track and moving toward your goals.
