How well do you know yourself?
I just launched a new self-renewal group for women called Embracing the Wild Unknown (supporting the journey into the second half of life). I noticed during our introductions that most of the women seemed pretty self-aware. They knew their strengths, weaknesses and how they’re wired. It seems this is one of the many gift you receive as you move into your 40’s and 50’s.
Having worked in the field of coaching, leadership development and human potential full-time since 2000 (and part time since 1988), I’ve noticed that people with a high degree of self- awareness tend to roll a little easier, know how to leverage their strengths, seem more comfortable taking risks, can usually laugh at themselves, and often, they’re even able to cultivate self-compassion for their shortcomings.
My coaching/consulting firm is in the midst of staff transitions and I’m watching myself flail like a fish out of water without a full support team in place (here’s a communications internship if you know a college student who’s a fit). I’m an ENTJ if you know Myers Briggs speak–a strategist and a visionary–and sailing at half mast is really putting me to the test. In business, I value efficiency, hate wasting time and am keen on using my energy and talents in the most effective way possible. This transition is requiring me to practice “good is good enough,” problem-solve, tame technical issues, do less, ask for help and trust/surrender and let go.
Easy? No! But I’m keeping my sense of humor and remembering how triggered my personality gets when I don’t have the support I need. It’s actually kind of comical: picture a music conductor trying to guide their orchestra with only the horns section in place! And, it’s requiring me to revisit old mental train stops I haven’t been to in years.
What makes you tick? Our career coaching company Career Strategists uses a few career/personality assessments with clients (we really like the StrengthsFinder 2.0, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the DISC assessment but there are many more; check with your university alumni career services office for help or reach out to our senior coach Angela for a complimentary consult). Individual therapy –I really like Imago, individual career or life coaching and relationship assessments like the popular 5 Love Languages, are also helpful tools. We also have a list of our favorite career books on the Inspiration Cafe, as well.
Doing some belly button gazing and learning more about your make-up takes inquisitiveness and courage. Here are a few questions to get you started:
-What do you need to be successful at work? In family life?
-What is your best time of day (and your worst)–when are you most productive?
-What self-limiting habits keep you from living fully and owning your power (read more)?
-Describe the “lens” through which you see life? Are you’re an optimist or a pessimist by nature?
-What are three words your close friends would use to describe you?
I’d love to hear what you find out! Share your thoughts on what helps you become more self-aware on our Live Inside Out community.
TAKE ACTION: We’ve been supporting men and women around the globe in learning more about themselves and integrating “who they are” with “what they do,” since 1999. Products/services we offer to help heighten self-awareness include individual career coaching, retreats/events, Personal Renewal Groups and books/online courses. Here’s an overview of all our services. Or email us at info at reneetrudeau dot com with any questions.
Subscribe here to Live Inside Out, a weekly blog written by life balance teacher and Career Strategists president, Renée Peterson Trudeau. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Good Housekeeping and more. Thousands of women in ten countries are becoming RTA-Certified Facilitators and leading/joining Personal Renewal Groups based on her award-winning curriculum. She is the author of The Mother’s Guide to Self-Renewal and Nurturing the Soul of Your Family: 10 Ways to Reconnect and Find Peace in Everyday Life. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband and 12 year-old son. More on her background here.
