The Journey to Self-Awareness: What I Learned with a Life Coach

When I first started my journey with a life coach, Julie Ciardi, she kept emphasizing the importance of building awareness around my thinking patterns and self-talk. While her advice was valuable, she didn't provide concrete practices to achieve this awareness. This led me on my own self-discovery journey, and what I've learned has been transformative.

The Hidden Truth About Self-Awareness

One of the most striking revelations I've had is that deep self-awareness is surprisingly rare. Many of us go through life on autopilot, never truly examining our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Yet, developing this awareness can be life-changing.

How Self-Awareness Changed My Life

Through building my own self-awareness practice, I experienced profound changes in multiple areas of my life:

• Enhanced Decision-Making: I gained clarity that helped me make better, more aligned choices.
• Transformed Inner Dialogue: I became acquainted with my inner voice and learned to reframe my inner critic's narrative.
• Broadened Perspectives: I developed the ability to see situations from different angles and challenge my initial perceptions.
• Strengthened Self-Worth: My self-acceptance, self-esteem, and self-confidence grew significantly.
• Improved Emotional Regulation: I learned to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.
• Better Boundaries: My communication skills improved, especially when it came to setting and maintaining healthy boundaries.
• Objective Observation: I developed the ability to view events from a neutral standpoint and understand how I assign meaning to situations.

Self-Awareness for the Time-Starved Professional

As working women, we often find ourselves moving at lightning speed from the moment our alarm sounds. Between morning meetings, project deadlines, family responsibilities, and the constant ping of notifications, finding time for self-reflection can seem impossible. But what if I told you that the busiest moments of your day offer perfect opportunities for building self-awareness?

Those five minutes waiting for your coffee to brew, the commute between meetings, or even your shower time can become powerful moments of connection with yourself. Self-awareness doesn't require a retreat in the mountains—it thrives in the small spaces between your commitments.

How Self-Awareness Transforms Your Professional Life

In the coaching industry, I've watched countless professional women transform their careers through enhanced self-awareness. One client, a marketing director, realized through her awareness practice that she dreaded certain team meetings not because of the content, but because she felt her voice wasn't being heard. This insight allowed her to adjust her communication approach, leading to more fulfillment and recognition at work.

Self-awareness helps you recognize when you're taking on too much, when you're avoiding difficult conversations, and when your perfectionism is holding you back rather than serving you. This clarity becomes your competitive advantage in a fast-paced professional environment.

The Ongoing Journey

It's crucial to understand that self-awareness isn't a destination—it's a continuous journey. As we grow, evolve, and expand, our self-awareness deepens, leading to greater inner peace. The process never truly ends, and that's what makes it beautiful.

Breaking Free from Mental Boxes

Our thinking patterns often confine us to boxes we've unconsciously created for ourselves. These boxes might be built from past experiences, societal expectations, or limiting beliefs. Self-awareness acts as a key, helping us see beyond these self-imposed limitations and opening doors to new possibilities.

Simple Ways to Build Self-Awareness

The good news is that building self-awareness doesn't require hours of your time. Here are some practical approaches you can incorporate into your daily routine:

Meditation

Take a few minutes each day to sit quietly and focus on your breath. This simple practice helps build mental focus and creates space between your thoughts and reactions.

Journaling

Spend time writing down your thoughts and feelings. This practice allows you to observe your mental patterns objectively and track your growth over time.

Yoga

Connect with your body through gentle movement and breath work. Yoga helps ground you in the present moment and builds body awareness.

The 60-Second Check-In

Even on your busiest days, you can spare 60 seconds. Set a reminder on your phone to pause and ask yourself: "How am I feeling right now? What do I need at this moment?" This micro-practice builds the muscle of self-awareness without demanding significant time.

The Commute Transition

Use your commute—whether it's 10 minutes or an hour—as a transition space. Before rushing from work mode to home mode, take a few moments to check in with yourself. How was your day? What emotions are you carrying? This simple practice creates a boundary between roles and helps you arrive more present.

Mindful Moments

Transform everyday activities into opportunities for awareness:

• During your morning commute
• While washing dishes
• As you fold laundry
• During your daily walk
• While eating meals
• In the shower

Your Turn to Reflect

What aspects of self-awareness resonate most with you? Which of these practices could you realistically incorporate into your daily routine? Remember, the goal isn't to overhaul your entire life overnight. Start small, choose one practice that speaks to you, and build from there.

The journey to self-awareness is deeply personal, and what works for one person may not work for another. The key is to find practices that feel authentic and sustainable for you.

Remember, self-awareness isn't another item on your to-do list—it's the lens through which you view all your tasks, relationships, and goals. The clarity you gain won't just make you happier; it will make you more effective in everything you do. What small moment in your already full day can you reclaim for yourself?

With love,

Erin