Creating Self-Awareness

Self-awareness is one of the key elements of personal growth. By gradually building self-awareness, you will better understand what type of interactions you should have with others. In short, self-awareness will help you create and maintain the healthy life you want and deserve.

There are two kinds of self-awareness, internal and external, both equally important. Internal self-awareness is the conscious knowledge of your own character, feelings, motives, and desires. External self-awareness will make you aware of how other people see you.

Building and creating your own self-awareness will allow you to make intuitive decisions without thinking twice. Here are some simple ways to help you build self-awareness while on your journey to optimal health and wellbeing:

• Test yourself. Personality tests, psychometrics, and strength assessments can start to build self-awareness by illustrating your dominant patterns and behaviors, good or bad.
• Self-reflect. Self-reflection is the ability to look at yourself and your actions in an unbiased way. Looking back at your actions before, during, and after situations without judgment is difficult, but can build long-term emotional intelligence.
• Journaling. Writing down your feelings can help you reflect upon a situation, past or present. Simply write down your thoughts and feelings in Your LifeBook, or a journal, then revisit these events and feelings to help you better understand yourself.
• Get an outside perspective. Seek input from trusted family members or friends. Ask what words describe you? What is their perception of your strengths and weaknesses? Do they notice certain tendencies or triggers in various types of situations? This honest feedback may be difficult to hear at times, but it can help you identify when you need to change or stay the same, building your whole picture –who you are, what you recognize, and how you take responsibility for your actions.

Ask me, your Independent OPTAVIA Coach, for other ways to track your hydration and keep water intake top-of-mind each day on your journey to Lifelong Transformation, One Healthy Habit at a Time.

**We recommend drinking 64 ounces of plain water each day. Please talk with your healthcare provider prior to changing the amount of water you drink, as it can affect certain health conditions and medications.

Jamie Swartz

Independent OPTAvia Coach