Insight: Why We Are Less Self-Aware Than We Think—and What to Do About It

by Tasha Eurich

So far in this chapter, we’ve explored tools to help us better understand our present (mindfulness, both meditative and non-meditative) and our past (life stories). At this point, then, one important topic remains: How can we become more internally self-aware and successful in the future? Or as one unicorn noted, “It’s not enough to know yourself. You have to set goals and make changes to really live the life you want.” Quite often, the commitment to the process of self-discovery unearths disparities between where we are and where we want or need to be in the future. Let’s say that after some mindful comparing and contrasting, you realize that the company you work at isn’t a good fit for you. Or perhaps charting your life story reveals the importance of family in your life, but your current 80-hour workweeks aren’t in line with that value. Quite often, whether we choose to act on our newfound self-insight is the difference between success and stagnation.