How Well Do You Know Yourself?

How Well Do You Know Yourself?

Like an ability or a muscle, hearing your inner wisdom is strengthened by doing it.
— Robbie Gass

What’s important to you? What makes you tick? What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? What triggers you? What are you passionate about? How do you impact others? Are you easily motivated and energized? Or are you often frustrated, annoyed, and disengaged? Are you doing work you like, or are you just going through the motions?
As you go through the day, pay attention to your state of mind.

Every once in a while, stop for a moment and ask yourself, “How am I doing here? Is there anything I need to get off my chest? Am I avoiding a particular conversation with someone? How do I want to come across to my partner and others?”

Whether or not you are actually interacting with your partner and others, you are impacting them. You are not an island separated from others. Just as the water and wind between islands touch each island shore, your presence affects everyone in your company.

You are influencing the “emotional climate” and productivity of those around you. Your tone of voice, and nonverbal behavior “speak” volumes, even more so than your actual words. People pay attention to your underlying mood and attitude. You can’t hide your true feelings. You are a key contributor to the emotional climate of your organization.

Bottom Line

  • Effective people pay attention to their thoughts and emotions.
  • Your partner (and others) can sense your attitude and feelings, no matter how well you think you are hiding them.
  • They will probably think the worst and take your “mood” personally.
  • Ask your partner for feedback about your perceived attitude or behavior.
  • Ask yourself if your current state of mind and behavior are getting you where you really want to go.
  • If the answer is “no” then take steps to change how you are thinking or behaving. Ask yourself what’s really important. Then think about some actions that will contribute something of value to that issue, problem or result.