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The Self in Ourself
Harveen Salaria, The Business Workshop

The inevitable question that comes to our mind when we are asked to be "aware of our self" is-what is this elusive "self"? Is it our thoughts? Is it our emotions? Is it our actions? Perhaps, it is a sum total of all these-after all, what we think, feel and do shapes our personality and gives us a unique image. Therefore, being "aware" of our self is the ability to observe the flow of our thoughts, catch the nuances in our emotions and know the motives behind our actions.

You cannot negate the importance of emotions. If you were to analyze your day, you would be surprised to see that even the most mentally stimulating activities had an emotional context. The very fact that you were satisfied while putting together your company's balance sheet, the fact that you were hating being part of a brainstorming exercise, etc.; these are all emotions.

Now, if you are attuned to your emotions, you would immediately know what it is that turns you on and what exasperates you. You will also realize your true potential and make goals closer to your heart.

I want to cite a personal example of how my lack of self awareness has made me lose at least a couple of years of work in an area where I could have probably excelled. I always loved English Literature as a subject and creative writing, in particular. Yet, since I also had a knack for Mathematics, and that being the tougher of the two subjects, I got swayed by what others felt I should do and pursued the latter. I went on to do an M.A. in Mathematics and even managed admission to North Carolina State University for an MS in Operational Research. So blinded was I that my true ability lay in Maths!

Then came the day when I had my ticket and Visa to the US, admission granted with partial scholarship. Most of my peers would have killed to be in my position. But that night I could not sleep. I realized then that it was not Maths, and going to the US would never make a scholar of me, unless my heart was truly in it. I was desolate and lost. I did not know how to confront myself, let alone anyone else. After two years of hard work, application forms, expenses, endless tests and interviews, I knew I could not go to the US. Overnight, I was left with no direction-from knowing exactly where I thought I wanted to go, I was suddenly on a road leading to nowhere.

It has taken me six years of trying different fields of work, endless conflicts within myself and explanations to others, that I finally find myself on a path which is closer to my true nature. But this realization had to come to me from within. It may have been tough but I have no regrets. In retrospect, I feel I have gained an insight into various fields of work, learned to be attuned to my true potential and have grown with the experience. I may not have treaded the straight and narrow path but I know that even my meandering can take me there.

This experience goes to show the value of a true and honest assessment. Nobody can know you as well as your self. However hard the decisions may be, be true to your self, and make the choice. Remember, you are the one who has to live with the consequences!

If you do not know your destination, you won't know which road to take. Being aware of your "self" bridges the gap between this confusion and your ideals. Ask yourself these questions: Where are you going? Who is the most important person in your life? What is your goal? What do you really want to do or be? This is the first step you can take to know your self...