The self-explorer, whether he wants to or not, becomes the explorer of everything else. He learns to see himself, but suddenly, provided he was honest, all the rest appears, and it is as rich as he was, and, as a final crowning, richer.” — Elias Canetti, The Secret Heart of the Clock. Austrian novelist, philosopher
Aesop many century ago wrote a fable:
An ass found a lion’s skin, and wore it. He then went about frightening every one he met. Since they thought he was a lion, men and beasts took to their heels when they saw him coming. Elated by his success, he brayed loudly in triumph. The fox heard him, and recognized him at once and said to him, “Oh, my friend, it’s you, is it? I, too, would have been afraid if I hadn’t heard your voice.”
This classic Aesop fable shows it is difficult to continue to play a part though many of us try and keep on trying.
The key questions we need to ask ourselves are —
- Do I know who I am?
- What motivates / demotivates me?
- What are my strengths / weaknesses?
- Am I drawn into roles, jobs, or relationships that I am not cut out for?
There is a immense pressure to be what is wanted from you instead of what you are.
Television producer Norman Lear says, “First and foremost, find out what it is you’re about, and be that. Be what you are, and don’t lose it. It’s very hard to be who we are, because it doesn’t seem to be what anyone wants.”
Our own inner space is as vast as outer space. Like the many generations of Star Trekkers, we can “boldly go where no one has gone before” if we continue to push back the frontiers of self-awareness.
The DISC assessment is one way to find out who we are. But just taking a online test and getting a report is not enough. Answering 24 simple questions in 10 mins is easy. What is not so easy is to introspect, have a good look at our behavioral strengths and weaknesses and chart a path of growth. However, it is well worth the effort and you can always take the assistance of a coach.
However, patience is required because continually peeling back the layers of who we are is a life long effort.
Contributed by: Lovely Kumar, Chief-Projects, Larks Learning
For information about our training and coaching programs please contact at lovely@larkslearning.com or 91-9899108659
as per my opinion self awareness is a way for us to explore our individual personalities, value systems, beliefs, natural inclinations, and tendencies. Because we are all different in the way we react to things, learn, and synthesize information. Thank you.