One of the tricky things about weaknesses is we aren’t always aware of them. Sure, some weaknesses are evident. We may know if we have a heart-stopping fear of getting on a plane and flying. That’s a weakness we may be well aware of, but we may live with subtle weaknesses…and some whoppers, that are not on our radar.
The thing is, we can’t change what we don’t acknowledge.
It’s impossible to begin to process if we should tackle a weakness if we are unaware of it. What we can know for certain is we all have weaknesses whether we believe it or not.
Self-awareness is the key to combating some weaknesses and getting a handle on what might be creating roadblocks in our lives. Here are some powerful tips to become more self-aware and pay closer attention to our weaknesses.
Self-awareness tip: Journal- Journaling has a tremendous ability to increase awareness. Over time, recording your thoughts, feelings, and anecdotal information about your life can reveal patterns. You may not notice in real time behaviors or weaknesses that are getting in the way, but you can see them leap from the pages of your journal. Re-reading past journal entries can help you see patterns that contribute to weaknesses and make you more self-aware.
Self-awareness tip: Non-verbal communication- When it comes to interpersonal relationships, what’s not being said is sometimes the loudest. Non-verbal communication reveals a lot about what is going on between two people and offers valuable feedback about your impact on others. Paying close attention to the non-verbal communication occurring in your relationships can help you become more self-aware and alert you to weaknesses you may have.
Self-awareness tip: Ask a friend- Our friends and family often times know us better than we know ourselves. Asking them to help you identify weaknesses you may be unaware of can be beneficial. Seeing yourself through someone else’s eyes can help you become more self-aware when you do that ‘thing’ they mentioned.
Increasing your self-awareness brings your weaknesses into view and creates the opportunity for you to change them or manage them. Since you can’t change what you don’t acknowledge, be sure to take ownership of your weaknesses and create a game plan. Ignorance may be bliss but becoming aware of the roadblocks in your way can help you move them and increase your success and personal satisfaction.
