The following is a guest post by Angelita Williams.

To really mature, you have to understand who you are and what you want and need. It is only through self-awareness that one can create self-improvement and, in turn, find self-satisfaction.

That being said, getting to know yourself is no simple task. So much of our daily lives are focused on other things and it can be really difficult to sit down and focus on ourselves sometimes. Self-awareness, though challenging and at times painful, is the only real way to find stability and happiness.

Try these three tactics for personal awareness and self-development to become a more successful and satisfied individual:

Explore What You See in Others

Though we may not realize it, often what we see in the people around us describes something about ourselves. Start to take note of what you recognize in others. The things that you find you dislike in someone may be an indication of what you don’t like in yourself. It’s the age old story of projection.

We project our own insecurities onto others. So pay attention to what you notice in other people. These are likely things you subconsciously notice in yourself. These things don’t always have to be negative either. By taking note of what you see in others, you can gain a better understanding of what you see in yourself. This can help you pinpoint the aspects of yourself you need to improve and the aspects you need to promote. Be aware.

Explore Your Thoughts through Writing

Another wonderful way to begin inner exploration is through writing. Try keeping a journal to help discover things about yourself. Writing can help you explore the thoughts you have that you may not recognize throughout the day. Learning to listen to yourself is an important part of becoming self-aware. Try writing down things that you think throughout a normal day. Keep a simple stream of consciousness journal that can help you recognize your inner voice and respond to it.

Also try writing down what you do throughout your days and weeks to gain a better understanding of how you spend your time. This can help you discover what it is you truly enjoy doing and what things make you truly happy. Writing is a wonderful way to frame a better picture of yourself in your own mind. There is no better way to get to know yourself than through your own words.

Understand Your Mood Catalysts

One of the most difficult aspects of getting to know yourself is getting to know your moods and what creates and perpetuates them. Learning how to manage and control your mood is the first sign of true maturity and stability. Journaling can play an important role in understanding how your moods work.

Try to recognize when your mood changes. Do certain places put you in a worse mood? Are there certain people that always put you in a pleasant mood? These types of questions are important steps in understand what your mood catalysts are and how to control them. There are always going to be things that cause your mood to change; the trick is to know how to control and manage those things.

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This guest post is contributed by Angelita Williams.  She welcomes your comments at her email Id: angelita.williams7 @gmail.com.