7 Steps to Unlocking Your Superpower Skill of Self-Awareness

Ready to roar: Self-awareness

Are you ready to discover your secret weapon for crushing it in your career? Spoiler alert: It's not a fancy degree or a killer networking strategy (though those are pretty sweet too). Nope, we're talking about something even more powerful - self-awareness!

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What's the Big Deal About Self-Awareness?

Self-awareness is like having a personal GPS for your career journey. It's the ability to recognize and understand your thoughts, emotions, strengths, weaknesses, and behaviors [1]. Think of it as your internal compass, guiding you through the twists and turns of your professional life.

But here's the kicker - only about 10-15% of people actually possess this superpower, according to research published in the Harvard Business Review [1]. That means if you can master self-awareness, you're already ahead of the game!

Self-Awareness: Your Career's Best Friend

So, how exactly does being self-aware help you in your career? Let's break it down:

1. It's Your Personal Career GPS

   • When you're self-aware, you have a clear understanding of your values, interests, and motivations [2]. This knowledge is like rocket fuel for your career decisions. Instead of blindly following the crowd into a trendy industry, you'll be able to choose a path that truly aligns with who you are.

     For example, let's say you're a computer science major who's always been fascinated by healthcare. Your self-awareness might lead you to explore health tech startups rather than traditional tech giants. Boom! You've just found your sweet spot.
2. Turns You into a Communication Star

   • Self-awareness is the secret ingredient to becoming a master communicator [1]. When you understand your own communication style, you can adapt it to suit different audiences. This skill is pure gold in the workplace, especially when you're dealing with diverse teams.

     Picture this: You're leading a project with team members from different departments. Your self-awareness helps you recognize that while you prefer direct communication, some team members respond better to a more collaborative approach. By adjusting your style, you keep everyone engaged and the project runs smoother than a freshly waxed surfboard

3. It's Your Stress-Busting Sidekick

   • Let's face it, work can be stressful. But when you're self-aware, you become a Jedi master at managing stress [1]. You can identify your stress triggers and develop effective coping strategies.

     Imagine you're preparing for a big presentation. Your self-awareness kicks in, and you realize that your stress is manifesting as procrastination. Armed with this knowledge, you can take action - maybe by breaking the task into smaller chunks or finding an accountability buddy. Crisis averted!

4. It Makes You a Decision-Making Master

   1. Self-aware individuals make better decisions because they understand their own biases and can separate emotions from facts [1]. This skill is crucial in the workplace, where decisions can have far-reaching consequences.

      Consider a scenario where you're deciding whether to accept a job offer. Your self-awareness helps you recognize that while the high salary is tempting, the company's values don't align with your own. This insight leads you to make a decision that's true to yourself, rather than one based solely on financial gain.

Leveling Up Your Self-Awareness Game

Ready to join the self-awareness elite? Here are some strategies to boost your self-awareness skills:

Embrace the Power of Reflection

• Set aside time each day or week for self-reflection. Ask yourself questions like:
  • What were my biggest successes and challenges this week?
  • How did I handle difficult situations?
  • What patterns do I notice in my behavior?

Seek Feedback Like It's Gold

• Don't be afraid to ask for feedback from mentors, colleagues, and friends. Their perspectives can provide valuable insights into your blind spots [3].

Keep a Journal

• Writing down your thoughts and experiences can help you identify patterns and gain deeper insights into your behavior and emotions.

Practice Mindfulness

• Mindfulness meditation can increase your awareness of your thoughts and feelings in the present moment. Apps like Headspace or Calm can be great starting points.

Take Personality Assessments

• Tools like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) or the Big Five personality test can provide structured insights into your personality traits [4].
  • LSU students can also gain these insights by utilizing the Focus 2 assessment as well as the STRONG assessment, creating a login with an LSU email address.

Challenge Your Assumptions

• Regularly question your beliefs and assumptions. Are they based on facts or biases? This practice can lead to profound self-discovery.

Embrace Different Perspectives

• Seek out people with different backgrounds and viewpoints. Their perspectives can challenge your assumptions and broaden your self-awareness.

 

Are you ready to unlock your self-awareness superpower? Your future self will thank you for it. Now go forth and conquer, you self-aware superstar!

 

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About the LSU Career Center

Our team is committed to ensuring every student has ample opportunities to gain experience, grow their network, and communicate their aptitude for a chosen career long before graduation. We believe LSU students are unparalleled in their potential to step into leadership, solve problems, and elevate the workforce for the benefit of all.