Do You Know Yourself?

30 Dec, 2016 - 00:12 0 Views

The ManicaPost

Dr Mazvita Machinga —
2016 is coming to an end and we are welcoming 2017. Every New Year comes with an onset of new resolutions. As I wish you all a happy new year, I am also thinking of the importance of being self-aware.

It is surprising how many people go through life without knowing themselves. Remember that your feelings toward others are to a larger extent determined by feelings toward yourself. If you are not positive with yourself, you can’t be positive with others.

So, self-awareness is one of the essential ingredients for achieving your 2017 goals. It is nothing but being conscious about yourself and how you act and react in various life situations.

As you make your 2017 resolutions, do not forget who you are, what your values are and also where you want to see yourself at.

A certain scholar stated that,“it is only with self-awareness can we see where our steps are taking us”. As you approach 2017, self-awareness should be big deal. Know yourself and be honest with yourself. It is only with self-awareness that you are able to make some progress that you want in the coming year.

It is only with self-awareness that you are able to make a positive contribution to your family, community and nation as a whole. As a psychotherapist, I have observed that intentions and hopes require some deeper self-examination with honest and open mindedness.

In the process of self-examination, it DOES NOT pay to lie to yourself. Some even deny reality. Learn from your mistakes and also from your achievements. Remember, “Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves” (Carl Gustav Jung).

William Faulkner a certain scholar said, “Don’t bother just to be better than your colleagues or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.” As you begin 2017, look at yourself and ask, “What areas do I need to be better? Which areas do I need to act differently and for the better? Try to be better than yourself first.

A new year is an opportunity to immediately take remedial action for any mistakes you may have made in 2016. In an endeavour to be aware of self, the following tips may help you

a)Take time to think things through. Spend some time to analyse yourself. Talk to those who know you well and check what areas you may need to improve in 2017.

Let them help you with talent identification and your abilities.

b)Be positive, honest with yourself. Take feedback from your colleagues, friends and relatives and use that as a guide to do act, think and feel differently.

c)Constantly monitor your actions, thoughts and feelings and its fall out.

d)Listen to your instincts: Your instincts are guided by your deepest senses of right and wrong.

e)Invite and accept criticism: There’s not a single person who doesn’t have some flaw that stands in their way when they strive for success.

f)Take the help of professional counsellors,clergy, psychologists and executive coaches who can provide you correct professional or spiritual feedback when it comes to deeper issues.

g)Go for MBTI (Meyers and Briggs Type Instrument) test or other personality sorters as they help you find out what type of personality you are and things that naturally matter to you most. Taking these will help you not to walk blindly.

h)Strive to make an impact to your family and community by reaching out.

i)List arecord of your strengths, limitations, interests and hobbies that help in boosting your self-awareness.

j)Consult your spiritual resources for internal edification and a sense of meaning.

Dr Mazvita Machinga Ph.D is a qualified psychotherapist and mental health consultant in Mutare. For more help on psychotherapy, professional counselling, mental health seminars, self- awareness and personality sorters feel free to communicate. Phone – 0771 754 519 or 0778 838410 Email: [email protected]

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