Self-awareness and the path to wealth creation

The difference between company A and B may not necessarily be because of the size of their capital, the magnitude of their shareholders or the vigorous daily activities that their workers engage in. The difference often is in one word; self-awareness.

Your personality is important to your career trajectory. Self awareness refers to a state where one has a clear perception of oneself, one’s personality including strengths, weaknesses, thought processes, beliefs, motivation and emotions. Drew Hansen, a career expert noted that, “early in a career is important to recognize your innate strengths and weaknesses and manage them.”

The dearth of quality human capital in the labour market in Nigeria partly finds expression in lack of self awareness. In service delivery, customers are increasingly concerned about the products they patronize because of persistent erosion of the values of trust and integrity in the market place. Most customers are looking to spend their money on organisations whose word is their bonds. The same with companies looking to hire new staff, they want to invest their vision in people with clear perceptions of their purpose and the direction the company is headed.

According Iseduwa Obiodiaka a human improvement catalyst, “Change begins with self awareness. For example, what character traits are required of individuals to excel and be effective in their careers, business or even socially and how can one identify these traits in self, if they exist or not?”

“We are individually responsible for our actions and the results we get. Understanding the root cause of our actions or responses is the first and most important step for self improvement,” she said. There are the ‘Whys’ and ‘Whats’ of our actions which every individual should be acquainted with.

It is the very foundation of self development. Once you can clearly define your strengths and the limitations or blindspots, you can then evaluate the things that important and what the priorities are for the business.

Self awareness is beyond identifying the things that are wrong, said Obiodiaka, it is “more important to understand your motivations, impact, what you do well vis-a-vis the areas you struggle.”

Successful people, she noted, consciously and consistently practice self-awareness, “which is getting inside you – through self reflection and mediation, to help know who you are separate from your environment and other individuals. It helps you understand your thoughts, motives and therefore control your responses – actions, to get the results that you desire.”

Individuals who build their self awareness are easily confident speak with conviction. They are forthright, take responsibility for mistakes and exude confidence even in the face of criticism. It is a highly recommended recipe for success for sales staff. The best sales people according Hansen have three identifiable characteristics such as empathy, ego-drive and ego-strength.

You can develop self awareness by giving attention to the nuances of your character and personality. In the process, you can find areas where savings can be made and waste curtailed. You can make adjustments in behaviour.

Importantly, you can easily trace the triggers of stress, when one’s self awareness is elevated. It has been identified as one of the attributes of emotional intelligence and important factor in achieving success.

“Success does not happen by accident,” Obiodiaka noted, “it takes careful plan and preparations which begins with being self aware. In other words knowing your vision and purpose in life, identifying goals that will help you achieve them, acting on them and improving in areas needed. This is the foundation for lasting success both spiritually and financially.”

Frank Eleanya