Step Ahead Life Coaching™

Category: Personal Growth

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Personal Growth

5 Tips To Get To Know Yourself Better

photo of gel candle on board beside pillow

When Socrates said, “Know Thyself,” he was teaching his students how to be at peace with who they were as individuals. Little did he know that his words would still hold true centuries later.

Self-knowledge was his path to embracing each person’s unique personality. Yet this path to self-awareness needs a bit of soul searching. That can be challenging for some people. So, we decided to make it a bit easier.

We rounded up the best five tips to get to know yourself better. These tips will help jump-start your journey into self-reflection. By finding the answers you’ve been looking for, you can start to strive toward your true potential.

Let’s get started.

Tip #1: Be Still

For many people, it’s hard to sit alone in a quiet room and contemplate. They become uncomfortable and agitated.

Still, this is an important step to get to know yourself better. Be brave in the face of your imperfections. As soon as you begin to embrace the good with the bad, you can start discovering your true self.

It all starts when you take the time to sit still and listen to yourself. Think of it as a form of mindfulness meditation where you focus completely on the present moment.

Tip #2: Ask the Right Questions

Too many times, we knock ourselves down through negative self-talk. Rather than beating yourself up, talk to yourself as though you talking to a best friend. Be kind and show empathy. The best way to do that is by asking self-discovery questions so you can get to know yourself better. 

Write down the answers on post-its and hang them up next to your bed or bathroom mirror. You can also jot the answers down in a journal. In fact, experts say journals are one of the most effective tools of self-awareness.

Here are some important questions you can ask yourself today:

  • What are my core values?
  • Who’s my biggest role model? Why?
  • What makes me feel safe? Or Who?
  • What are my short-term and long-term goals?

Tip #3: Find Your Strengths

Each one of us is here for a reason. Some of us do certain things better than others. That’s the natural order of things.

Knowing what you’re good at is necessary on the journey of finding who you really are. Focusing on your strengths boosts self-confidence and increases your drive to achieve more. Only then, will you be able to make room for better, more productive things in your life.

Let’s not forget that it’s just as important to figure out what you’re not good at. Allow yourself to try different things. Then, by trial and error, you’ll know exactly what you’re good at and what you should steer clear of.

Interestingly enough, your strengths will almost always align with your core values. Together, they can help you manage your life path, both at home and at work.

Tip #4: Discover Your Passion

Now that you know what you’re good at, it’s time to hone in on the things that excite you and give your life meaning. This can be one thing or twenty—the point is to follow through.

Having that drive gives you purpose and strength. You savor each moment and push yourself to achieve new goals.

This positive energy you exude when you’re doing something you’re passionate about is vital. It allows you to want to be better and do more. That can only come when you truly enjoy what you’re doing.

Tip #5: Determine Your Sense of Style

Your fashion sense is unique to you. Whether you realize it or not, your style is a form of self-expression. It gives people a quick peek into who you are, as well as your likes and interests. By figuring out your style, you allow yourself to be self-assured and poised in your special way.

Start by going through your wardrobe. Keep the things you believe are a true reflection of who you are. Then, get rid of anything that doesn’t make you feel beautiful and confident.

For inspiration, check out fashion styles online and in magazines. Then, find one that shows off your true self.

This is one form of self-care that will work wonders for your self-esteem. Best of all you won’t just feel good, you’ll also look amazing! Who doesn’t want that?!

In Conclusion

We hope you found these five tips to get to know yourself better helpful. Figuring out who you are as an individual has many advantages.

The most significant is that it puts things in perspective. It allows you to feel comfortable in your own skin.

As a result, you’re able to focus more on your strengths and be more accepting of your weaknesses. Socrates also said, “Be as you wish to seem.” In other words, when you know what you want out of life, the only thing that can hold you back is your imagination. So, be bold and dream big!

Categories
Mindset/Strenghts Personal Growth Self Care

4 Life Skills You Need To Thrive In Your Life

photo of mother and child beside body of water

How To Master Your Best Assets

Prior to the pandemic, daily goals were on everyone’s list.

The goal might have been to go to school or to work.

The goal to meet with friends over the weekend.

The goal to fly to Hawaii next summer.

Life skills were still being practiced among society during daily interactions. No one would have thought that the world, literally, would shut down. 

In early 2020, life as we knew it, closed shop.

School was cancelled and businesses locked their doors. Parents were now home full time with their children.

Partners were spending twenty-four hours a day with each other. At first, it seemed like a long vacation, then the anxiety and boredom started taking over.

Communities were advised to limit their outdoor exposure and necessity shopping. In person contact became nonexistent.

Families stayed connected over video chat and phone calls. Adolescents found themselves consumed by online social platforms for needed interaction. The world turned virtual. 

Life skills were not being used, as the need was not there. As humans, we thrive when we have in person interactions. It is how we grow and learn. Since life has changed, the need to update your life skills has become a necessity. 

The following four life skills will help you once again thrive in this new reality:

Time to tune out the news

– Many people start their day with watching the news. With live updates, any concerning broadcasts and traffic can be navigated before leaving home. 

However, since the pandemic came along, watching the news has become a full-time job. In fact, a recent study conducted by Statista.com showed, “1.836 million viewers tune into FOX News in the daytime, 3.19 million viewers watch various morning news shows, and 5.35 million watch news each evening.” 

By continually watching the various tragedies and political updates, anxiety and depression start effecting your daily life. By limiting your exposure to these negative outlets, this allows the brain to rest from the day more calmly and less frustrated.

If morning news is more important for your schedule, use the evening news as a quick update.

Focus on stories that are relevant to your needs and likes. Use the extra time to focus on family and self-care.

Use the last hour before bed to wind down from all the virtual noise.

Find a quiet hobby to engage with until you are tired. This works especially well for children. Reading a book or coloring a drawing can bring better serenity and more mental serotonin for a restful night’s sleep.

You will hear about the news sooner or later if you need to – it will still be there tomorrow. 

Focus on learning something new every day

Most families have become quite comfortable utilizing the internet and smart devices. Each person has their own minicomputer right in the palm of their hand. Games, social networks, and video chatting have become a favorite pastime. 

What is more easily forgotten is the world of information that is yet untouched. Pinterest and YouTube have become inundated with how to projects and videos with all ranges of expertise. If learning acrylic fluid art has always been a desire to try, look up the videos and get started.

If being outdoors is more your hobby style, try a “sport” that will keep you active and engaged, like gardening. This is also a terrific way to include children in the process of planting and feeding. Work as a team to find new recipes that are healthy and fulfilling. To go one step further, donate your unwanted or overgrown veggies and fruit to local neighbors or shelters for a sweet treat.

Keep your pockets full

While this changing reality has brough a lot of uncertainty and worry, it has taught families to save more money than spending it. With no where to go or travel, making large purchases have become unneeded. Instead, people have capitalized on delivery services for all other services such as groceries and home goods. 

Companies have made it quite easy to get the things you want in the same day without ever leaving your house. While this was a good service during the lockdown, people are itching to spend money now that things are reopening. 

Instead, keep yourself on a limit. Focus on the items that are still needed to keep your home functioning and treat yourself to a drive thru coffee as a reward.

If being outside the house is the goal, go for a nice walk at your local park. Have the family join in on making a picnic lunch. Remind children about saving money but still having an enjoyable time. 

Share with your family fun stories while you eat your peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Need a bit more stimulation? Why not grab your bicke and go for a ride. At home, work on crafts and small hobbies to pass the time more calmly. 

Embrace new changes

During the lockdown, some families found that their chosen careers and social contacts were not as desirable as before. Maybe the co-workers you see everyday have dropped out of contact or the friends you see on the weekends have decided to move one. 

Whatever the case, having the extra time has brought new discoveries and untouched dreams. While going back to work is a necessity, try asking yourself if this is where you want to be. If not, focus on a new path and embrace it. 

If you always wanted to own a bakery, try taking it one step at a time. With online platforms, the internet has made it possible to sell products from your home. Utilize social media for advertising. Look into ways that will keep costs down while you explore the idea of purchasing a building and going public. Until then, enjoy the process and do not lose focus on your main source of income. 

In Conclusion 

Adapting life skills to the alternative way of living will bring less stress and more focus. With each passing day, you will thrive more, giving yourself and others hope.

As American author Alex Tabarrok once said, “The only way to thrive is to innovate. It’s that simple.”

Categories
Personal Growth

How Negativity Affects Your Job 

woman placing sticky notes on wall

When you have a negative mindset, it’s going to affect every aspect of your life. Your energy impacts those around you. So, if you bring a negative energy into the workplace, it’s going to have several repercussions.

Here, you’ll discover how negativity affects your job. You will also see how you can start to eliminate your own negativity in the workplace. 

How does negativity impact your job?

There are a lot of ways negativity can impact your job. When you have a negative mindset, it can affect your performance, work relationships, and overall wellbeing. 

The trouble with negativity, is that it attracts more negativity. Therefore, if you go into work with a negative attitude, it is going to rub off on your colleagues too. This will lead to a toxic workplace where nobody is happy and stress levels are increased. 

As well as impacting the work environment, a negative outlook can also cause issues with performance. You may not apply for new opportunities as they arise, forcing you to miss out on a potentially better job. You will also notice your energy levels aren’t great, and the quality of your work will suffer.

These are just some of the ways negativity can impact your job. So, how can you fix it? 

Ways to become less negative at work

There are ways you can become a more positive person at work. However, it might take quite a lot of effort to overcome your negative thinking. The best ways to combat negativity at work include:

  • Identify the cause
  • Think of something you are thankful for
  • Talk to your boss
  • Distance yourself from negative colleagues

Identifying the cause of your negativity is crucial. There could be numerous reasons why you have a more negative attitude at work. Maybe you keep getting passed over for a promotion, or you are bored of your current role? Identifying the cause enables you to figure out the best ways to combat it. 

Whenever you feel yourself slumping into a negative mood, think of something you are thankful for. After all, it’s difficult to remain negative when you are thinking of something positive. 

You may also find it useful to talk to your boss if you haven’t already. If you are unhappy with something, let them know. Ask them for a promotion, rather than waiting for one. You could also ask them for further training opportunities and more responsibility.

If you have colleagues who are negative, make sure you distance yourself from them. It could be that others are putting you in a negative mood, so distancing yourself from them will protect your energy and your positivity. If they see you with a more positive outlook, it will also help them to develop one too. 

As you can see, there are several ways you can address your negativity in the workplace. Identifying the root cause is the key to finding the right solution. If you are just naturally negative, working on developing a more positive mindset will help. However, this will take time so don’t expect results overnight. 

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