A number of us go through life on autopilot, following paths defined for us by family, society, or circumstances. If you’ve ever been to any Nigerian university, you’ll surely see students there studying courses they have no passion for. Not just universities; even in the workplace, you’re sure to see individuals take jobs they don’t enjoy. And then some enter relationships that don’t align with who they truly are.
All these make you wonder what the problem is. It is no wonder we have a lot of frustrated and depressed people in society. The truth is, you can’t live a fulfilling life if you don’t know who you are, what drives you, and what truly matters to you. That’s why self-awareness is important.
What is Self-Awareness?
Self-awareness is a combination of two words: self and awareness. Self: about you as an individual when you are speaking of or making reference to yourself. Awareness: knowledge of a thing or subject.
Based on the definitions of the two, self-awareness could then be said to be simply “knowledge of oneself.” However, such a definition will appear basic as it does not fully convey what self-awareness as a subject matter truly means or what experts mean when they say self-awareness. So, it is necessary to go further with our definition of self-awareness.
According to research carried out by Organizational psychologist Tasha Eurich and her team, there are two different types of Self-awareness, they believed could suffice from the various definitions available about the subject of Self-awareness
These are internal self-awareness and external self-awareness. While internal self-awareness refers to how you see yourself, external self-awareness refers to how others see you.
Going by the above, I would like to define self-awareness to mean knowledge of your person gained by yourself and through the eyes of others.
Self-awareness is the conscious knowledge of your make-up, that is, your thoughts, emotions, feelings, strengths and weaknesses, and how all these affect your actions and inactions.
Why Does Self-Awareness Matter?
1. It Helps You Make Better Decisions
How many people do you know who studied a course they didn’t like just because their parents said so? Or those who chose careers based on money rather than passion? This is common in Nigeria, where external expectations often dictate life choices. But when you are self-aware, you know what truly matters to you, making it easier to make decisions that align with your strengths, values, and goals.
Instead of blindly following what others expect, you take charge of your path. This doesn’t mean you ignore worthy counsels, but rather making informed choices that bring you long-term fulfillment.
2. It Builds Confidence
Have you ever felt unsure about yourself, even when you’re good at something? That’s often because you don’t fully understand your strengths. Self-awareness helps you recognize what you excel at, and this knowledge in turn boosts your confidence. When you know yourself, you stop doubting your abilities and start owning them.
3. It Improves Your Relationships
Many people struggle in their relationships—whether at work, with family, or in friendships—because they don’t understand how they come across to others. You may think you are just being honest, but others may see you as rude. You may believe you are a good listener, but your actions might show otherwise. Self-awareness helps you understand your emotions and reactions, making you more mindful of how you interact with others.
4. It Helps You Overcome Fear and Self-Doubt
Many people in Nigeria have big dreams but never take action because of fear. There is fear of failure, fear of judgment, and even fear of the unknown. But self-awareness helps you understand where that fear is coming from and how to push past it. When you truly know yourself, you stop letting fear control you.
5. It Makes Personal Growth Happen
You need to know yourself to grow yourself. Many people set goals but never achieve them because they don’t have a clear understanding of themselves. Self-awareness helps you track your progress and recognize areas that need improvement. Without self-awareness, personal development becomes a guessing game. But when you understand yourself, you can set realistic goals and take intentional steps toward becoming the best version of yourself.
Concluding Thoughts
Self-awareness is the foundation of a meaningful and successful life. Without it, you risk making choices that leave you unfulfilled and stuck in a cycle of frustration. But when you develop self-awareness, you take control of your decisions, relationships, and future.
So, the question is, do you truly know yourself?
Check out this post to learn more about the different types of self-awareness we have.