Self-awareness is the First Step to Change
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Self-awareness is a buzzword often heard in personal development circles, but what does it truly mean? More importantly, why is it considered the essential first step toward meaningful change?
From the perspective of Perceptual Style Theory™(PST), self-awareness is not just about generic insights but understanding how you naturally perceive and interact with the world.
Self-awareness, through the lens of PST, is the foundation for recognizing who you are, how you engage with your environment, and why you make the choices you do. Without this type of deeper understanding, any attempt at change is likely to be superficial and short-lived.
What is Self-Awareness?
At its core, self-awareness is the ability to recognize and understand your own emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
Perceptual Style Theory further refines this by providing information about how you see the world and process information.
Understanding your Perceptual Style—the natural way you interpret experiences—and how this influences your interactions and decisions can dramatically increase your self-awareness.
Self-awareness has two primary components:
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Internal Self-Awareness: This involves understanding your values, passions, strengths, weaknesses, and emotional triggers—all of which are influenced by your Perceptual Style. It’s the introspective process of asking, “Who am I, why do I do what I do, and how does my style shape my perspective?”
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External Self-Awareness: This is the ability to understand how others perceive you, which manifests in communication, relationships, and actions. How do your natural tendencies affect those around you? What blind spots are common to your Perceptual Style?
Why Self-Awareness Matters for Change
Change is difficult because it requires breaking away from habitual patterns of thought and behavior. These patterns are deeply rooted in how you innately perceive and interpret the world.
Without self-awareness, your Perceptual Style remains invisible, leaving you unaware of its influence. Here’s why self-awareness is critical for initiating and sustaining change:
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Identifying the Root Cause of Issues: PST highlights the foundation of your innate perceptual tendencies and can help see what drives your behavior. For example, If your style is Activity, you may notice that when you feel overwhelmed by emotions, your instinct is to stay busy—tackling tasks, running errands, or diving into projects. Recognizing this pattern will allow you to intentionally pause to process your feelings instead of using action as a distraction.
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Understanding Your Triggers: Emotional triggers often derail our best intentions. Your Perceptual Style influences what triggers you emotionally. For instance, someone with the Adjustments style may feel overwhelmed by rapid, unstructured change, while someone with the Vision Style might feel triggered by a lack of big-picture focus. Recognizing these triggers allows you to develop tailored strategies to respond rather than react.
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Clarifying Your Goals: Change that aligns with your core values and natural style is more likely to succeed. Self-awareness ensures that the changes you pursue resonate authentically with who you are. For example, the Flow Perceptual Style emphasizes connection and relationships. Someone with this style will find a goal focused on collaboration and shared achievement more fulfilling than one centered on competition.
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Building Emotional Resilience: Self-awareness allows you to observe your emotions without being overwhelmed by them. By understanding the role your Perceptual Style plays in how you process emotions, you gain valuable tools for building resilience. For example, someone with the Methods style can rely on their natural inclination toward consistency and process to stay grounded during setbacks.
How to Develop Self-Awareness
Becoming self-aware is a lifelong journey, but Perceptual Style Theory offers a targeted framework to accelerate the process. Here are practical steps to cultivate self-awareness:
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Discover Your Perceptual Style: Using PST assessments, you can identify your Perceptual Style. This provides you with invaluable insights into your strengths, communication tendencies, decision-making habits, and emotional triggers.
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Practice Mindfulness: Observe your thoughts, emotions, and reactions. Ask yourself: How is my Perceptual Style influencing how I’m interpreting this situation? Techniques like meditation or journaling can help you tune into these patterns.
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Seek Feedback: Ask trusted friends, family, or colleagues for honest feedback. Understanding how others perceive your style can help identify blind spots and areas for growth.
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Reflect on Your Experiences: After significant events or interactions, take time to reflect. How did your natural tendencies shape the outcome? What emotions came up, and how did they connect to your Perceptual Style?
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Align with Your Values: PST can help you identify what truly matters to you and allow you to create environments, find people, and participate in organizations that are like-minded. For example, people with the Goals style will function best in environments that value clarity, order, and direct communication.
The Ripple Effect of Self-Awareness
When you become more self-aware the benefits extend far beyond your personal growth:
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Improved Relationships: Understanding your Perceptual Style and how it influences communication allows you to connect more effectively with others, resolve conflicts, and appreciate different perspectives.
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Enhanced Decision-Making: By recognizing your natural strengths, you can make choices that align with your Perceptual Style and long-term goals.
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Greater Empathy: Self-awareness helps you identify your biases and blind spots, enabling you to understand and appreciate how others with different Perceptual Styles see the world.
Conclusion
Self-awareness is the gateway to change because it provides the clarity needed to break free from old patterns and create a more intentional life. Perceptual Style Theory enhances this process by offering a practical framework for understanding how your natural tendencies shape your perception, behavior, and goals.
The journey to self-awareness requires courage and curiosity. It means asking hard questions, recognizing how your Perceptual Style influences your experiences, and embracing the complexity of who you are.
So, the next time you feel stuck or unsure about how to move forward, take a step back and look inward. By understanding your Perceptual Style, you’ll unlock the clarity and tools needed to initiate meaningful change.
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About Dr. Gary M. Jordan, Ph.D.
Gary Jordan, Ph.D., has over 35 years of experience in clinical psychology, behavioral assessment, individual development, and coaching. He earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology – Berkeley. He is co-creator of Perceptual Style Theory, a revolutionary psychological assessment system that teaches people how to unleash their deepest potentials for success. He’s a partner at Vega Behavioral Consulting, Ltd., a consulting firm that specializes in helping people discover their true skills and talents.
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