How to Improve Self-awareness
Self-awareness is an abstract skill
But it’s still a skill.
And that means you can learn it.
How? What can you do to improve self-awareness?
28 Thinking Skills
Thinking is not a big thing. Thinking is made up of 28 thinking skills called cognitive functions.
Naturally, we all have stronger ones and weaker ones but those weaker ones are making it challenging for us to do what we want to do. Including being self-aware.
To be self-aware you need to be using multiple thinking skills including:
- Clear Perception
- Searching for Relevant Cues
- Projecting Virtual Relationships
My favorite way to become more self-aware requires using these thinking skills and is called metacognition - thinking about thinking
Metacognition
Metacognition is when you take the time to think about what you’ve thought and done.
It can be done by thinking, writing, or talking about how you’ve come to the place you are in.
Asking questions, either by journaling or having a conversation with another person helps with the thought process of metacognition.
Metacognition Sample Questions
Some questions I like asking myself:
What caused this to happen?
How did I figure it out?
How were you feeling?
What was the biggest challenge?
What can be done so next time it's easier?
Note: You don't HAVE to use questions. You may find it easier to simply riff.
Metacognition & Thinking Skills
I’m gonna tie this all up for you, by showing you how you need to use thinking skills to do metacognition.
If any of these thinking skills are weak it will be a bit more challenging for you to do metacognition but you should STILL do it.
As you do more metacognition, these thinking skills will become easier. As you work on these thinking skills metacognition will become easier.
Clear perception is taking in information in a clear and organized way. When you do metacognition you need to take in what has happened without getting overwhelmed by everything that has happened.
If you know you need to work on this thinking skill more, listen to episode 427.
Searching and using relevant cues is what will give you hints and insights as to why things played out the way they did.
Projecting virtual relationships is about making connections that aren’t obvious. During the process of metacognition that’s exactly what you are doing. You are making connections between thoughts, sayings, and actions that may not seem obvious.
Your Challenge to Become More Self-Aware
Self-awareness is a skill we don’t learn in school, yet it’s super important as EVERYTHING starts with self-awareness.
You are not going to make any change if you are not self-aware.
You can develop the skill of becoming more self-aware by doing metacognition - thinking about your thinking.
The stronger your thinking skills are, the easier it will be for you to do metacognition.
Your challenge this week is to do metacognition at least twice - whether in writing or conversation.
One last thing - metacognition does not need to be done only when something bad happens.
Do it after every task/project you’ve done successfully so you can learn from it and have great results next time too.
Cheers to Peak Brain Performance!
Hi, I'm ST,
Just like you, I want to be more efficient and effective.
Most entrepreneurs want to grow their business but already got a lot of stress.
At LifePix University we help you rewire your brain to become more efficient and effective while experiencing more inner peace.
Learn more here.
Your Essential Guide
to Cognitive Functions
This guide will give you all you need to start improving your cognitive functions. Learn what all 28 thinking skills are, how they apply to you and what you can do today to begin improving them.
Cognitive Functions Assessment
Thinking is not one big thing. Thinking is made up of 28 parts, called cognitive functions.
Take the FREE assessment to see where each of your cognitive functions are currently at.
We're on for 1M downloads
By the end of 2025
Can you help us reach our goal?
Share this podcast with someone you love!
How to Improve Self-awareness
Self-awareness is an abstract skill
But it’s still a skill.
And that means you can learn it.
How? What can you do to improve self-awareness?
28 Thinking Skills
Thinking is not a big thing. Thinking is made up of 28 thinking skills called cognitive functions.
Naturally, we all have stronger ones and weaker ones but those weaker ones are making it challenging for us to do what we want to do. Including being self-aware.
To be self-aware you need to be using multiple thinking skills including:
- Clear Perception
- Searching for Relevant Cues
- Projecting Virtual Relationships
My favorite way to become more self-aware requires using these thinking skills and is called metacognition - thinking about thinking
Metacognition
Metacognition is when you take the time to think about what you’ve thought and done.
It can be done by thinking, writing, or talking about how you’ve come to the place you are in.
Asking questions, either by journaling or having a conversation with another person helps with the thought process of metacognition.
Metacognition Sample Questions
Some questions I like asking myself:
What caused this to happen?
How did I figure it out?
How were you feeling?
What was the biggest challenge?
What can be done so next time it's easier?
Note: You don't HAVE to use questions. You may find it easier to simply riff.
Metacognition & Thinking Skills
I’m gonna tie this all up for you, by showing you how you need to use thinking skills to do metacognition.
If any of these thinking skills are weak it will be a bit more challenging for you to do metacognition but you should STILL do it.
As you do more metacognition, these thinking skills will become easier. As you work on these thinking skills metacognition will become easier.
Clear perception is taking in information in a clear and organized way. When you do metacognition you need to take in what has happened without getting overwhelmed by everything that has happened.
If you know you need to work on this thinking skill more, listen to episode 427.
Searching and using relevant cues is what will give you hints and insights as to why things played out the way they did.
Projecting virtual relationships is about making connections that aren’t obvious. During the process of metacognition that’s exactly what you are doing. You are making connections between thoughts, sayings, and actions that may not seem obvious.
Your Challenge to Become More Self-Aware
Self-awareness is a skill we don’t learn in school, yet it’s super important as EVERYTHING starts with self-awareness.
You are not going to make any change if you are not self-aware.
You can develop the skill of becoming more self-aware by doing metacognition - thinking about your thinking.
The stronger your thinking skills are, the easier it will be for you to do metacognition.
Your challenge this week is to do metacognition at least twice - whether in writing or conversation.
One last thing - metacognition does not need to be done only when something bad happens.
Do it after every task/project you’ve done successfully so you can learn from it and have great results next time too.
Cheers to Peak Brain Performance!
Hi, I'm ST,
Just like you, I want to be more efficient and effective.
Most entrepreneurs want to grow their business but already got a lot of stress.
At LifePix University we help you rewire your brain to become more efficient and effective while experiencing more inner peace.
Learn more here.
Your Essential Guide
to Cognitive Functions
This guide will give you all you need to start improving your cognitive functions. Learn what all 28 thinking skills are, how they apply to you and what you can do today to begin improving them.
Cognitive Functions Assessment
Thinking is not one big thing. Thinking is made up of 28 parts, called cognitive functions.
Take the FREE assessment to see where each of your cognitive functions are currently at.
We're on for 1M downloads
By the end of 2025
Can you help us reach our goal?
Share this podcast with someone you love!
