Self mastery means the ability to see yourself from a distance so you can understand who you are at your core, beyond the roles you play in your daily life. Many people believe that authenticity is just, “being yourself”. The question however is, how many of us are “our true selves”? Being truly authentic requires a lot of self awareness. Self awareness is like having a mirror that reflects not just your physical appearance, but the intricate layers of your thoughts, emotions and actions. A healthy self awareness helps one to be in a flow state, consistently calm and focused. It helps you identify areas for improvement and helps you recognise your triggers so you cope more effectively.
Your ideas of self collectively form your personal structure that is your world view. Your brains operating system and how you navigate the world. Being self aware means understanding who and what helped you be who we are today. Most people don’t know their blood line and family lineage and that alone is a major part of self awareness whether we like it or not. How have other impacted you? And how do you personally impact others?
Being self aware also extends to knowing your personal values, your limiting belief systems and what really makes you tick. Self awareness is not a static state, it’s a continuous journey of understanding and embracing the evolving layers of who you are. Remember that the more you understand yourself, the more authentically and purposefully you can navigate through life.
Now understanding yourself requires self-reflection ,which is the process of analysing one's thoughts, feelings, and actions. Self reflection is like a mirror to your soul, providing clarity and insight. It goes beyond the surface level of daily experiences and is a deeper exploration of the reasons behind one’s behaviours and emotions. It's a conscious and deliberate examination of oneself with the goal of gaining insight, fostering personal growth, and making informed decisions. Asking yourself probing questions is a fundamental aspect of self-reflection. Questions which might include "Why did I react that way?" or "What motivated that decision?”. What was my role in this situation?" or "How could I have handled it differently?”. Reflecting on specific experiences helps to uncover patterns, identify strengths, and recognise areas for improvement. By understanding the reasons behind your choices, you can make more informed decisions aligned with your goals. Regular self-reflection allows you to learn from your experiences. Whether successes or setbacks, reflecting on them helps you extract valuable lessons and insights, fostering personal growth. Through self-reflection, you can identify patterns in your behaviour and understand the triggers that may impact your confidence. This awareness enables you to address challenges proactively.
Self reflection also helps you identify what makes you different from everyone else. Can you imagine what the world would be if we were all the same. God created diversity so life could be infinite. It is of no significance investing all your energy understanding the world when you have not come anywhere to understanding self. I’m referring to the security that comes with knowing and understanding that you are no better or worse than any other person on earth. Everyone is doing what is best for them and to be the best they possibly can. Therefore it is important to stay in your lane and focus on you.
This requires self management, which is the art of steering your own ship. Effective self management requires understanding what are your strengths and your weaknesses. What are your capabilities, your talents, your gifts. What are your fears and worries. Self management also involves taking responsibility for your actions, making informed decisions, and maintaining a sense of balance and well-being, even in the face of challenges. It is your ability to control your impulses and reactions, especially in situations that may provoke stress or frustration. It means taking responsibility for your actions and having a sense of accountability and ownership in all aspects of life. It is your ability to manage stress, navigate uncertainties, and adapt to changes that is a testament to strong self-management. When you can handle challenges with resilience, it positively influences your confidence in facing future obstacles. It is through self-reflection, that you can provide yourself with constructive criticism. This, combined with effective self-reflection, allows you to address areas for improvement, fostering continuous growth and resulting to increased confidence.
So self-awareness, self-reflection, and self-management are the interconnected elements that contribute significantly to the development of self-confidence and create a positive feedback loop. The confidence derived from these processes is not rigid; it's adaptive. It's not based solely on external validation but on a deep understanding of yourself. This type of confidence is resilient, able to withstand setbacks, and can be a driving force in pursuing ambitious goals.
Whether its through meditation or a peaceful stroll, making art or simply journalling, find a method that allow you to connect to you inner self. In these moments, profound ideas often surface, guiding you toward personal growth. We can all become more self aware, secure, honest, emotional and mindful. Self development and self mastery can be a powerful tool in navigating the complexities of life.
Comments
Post a Comment