Developing Self-Awareness Is Key For Sustainable High Performance

“The most important conversations you’ll ever have are the ones you’ll have with yourself.” 

David Goggins

Self-awareness is the capacity to notice messages the body is constantly sending; to be aware of your emotional experience, and understand how thoughts, feelings and emotions impact your judgements and personal performance.

Why It Matters

Self-awareness is a foundational skill for high performance and wellbeing. The more you know yourself, what you’re good at, not so good at, what you need to do to get better, and how your thoughts and emotions influence your behaviour – the more likely you are to become the high performer you strive to be.

Ways To Build It 

• Ask someone you trust what they notice about your behaviour. Ask them what you’re good at, what your blind spots are, and what hinders your performance. 
• Tune into physical sensations to become aware of your feelings when you are confronted with new or challenging performance moments. Listen to and notice your inner voice – is it helpful and rational? Or unhelpful and irrational? Noticing this is the first step to taking charge of it. 
• Engage in regular self-reflection. Write down your thoughts and feelings after a day’s work. Evaluate your performance – did you achieve your intentions? What went well? What didn’t go well? What do you need to improve on moving forward?