What is self-discovery
Self-discovery is an introspective process that helps us better understand our emotions, ideals, values, thoughts, and behaviour.
When you start focusing more on self-discovery, you’ll quickly notice that there are many different areas you can explore. These include skills, abilities, knowledge, experience, ideas, values, motivation, aspirations, or personality traits.
The areas of self-discovery are summarized in this short video. Later in the course, we will mainly focus on self-discovery in relation to your career path.
Why is self-discovery beneficial?
Right from the beginning, it’s important to accept that self-discovery never really ends. At times, you might feel like you fully understand yourself, but then something new can come into your life and shift your perspective again. This cycle keeps repeating. As you grow and change, your priorities, values, and interests evolve with you. With every new experience, you gain a deeper understanding of who you are and what truly fulfils you in your career.
There are many reasons why it’s worth not giving up and continuing to look for ways to understand yourself better. Let’s go through them one by one together!
Decision-making
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This is the one we all know too well. Which field should I study? Which internship should I apply for? Should I travel abroad or stay in my hometown? Deciding between two or more options can sometimes lead to a few sleepless nights. However, when you have a clear understanding of your values, ideals, and aspirations, decision-making becomes easier because you can better see which option fits your overall goal.
Planning
Knowing your values, motivation, and goals can really help when it comes to creating long-term career plans. Based on this, you can plan your personal and professional development more effectively. Being aware of the skills and knowledge you need to improve makes it easier to plan your ahead and actively look for the right career and educational opportunities.
Adapting to change
Research shows that people with deeper self-awareness are better at adapting to sudden changes, adjusting to new conditions, and taking on career challenges.
Satisfaction
Making decisions that align with your values, planning with your aspirations and career goals in mind, and adapting to unexpected changes can all contribute to greater satisfaction in both your personal and professional life.
Self-presentation
Self-presentation is also an important part of your career. Knowing your strengths, skills, personality traits, and areas for improvement can be very useful when writing your CV, cover letter, and preparing for job interviews.
Basic tools for self-discovery
Getting started with self-discovery doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. Let’s look at some basic tools that can help you!
1. Make time for yourself
Every once in a while, give yourself some time to focus just on you and your thoughts. Go for a walk, keep a journal, or set up a session with a therapist or career counsellor. Different things work for different people, so try to find what works best for you. Taking time for yourself can help you organize your thoughts and reflect on your feelings.
2. Ask people around you
Self-discovery is mainly about you, but sometimes it helps to hear what others think. Asking for feedback can take a bit of courage, but it’s usually worth it. Ask people close to you, family, friends, or colleagues what they think about you. What do they appreciate about you? What do they see as your strengths? In what ways do they think you could improve?
To better understand how others see you, you can also use a technique called the Johari Window, which we’ll introduce in the next chapter.
3. Try new things
Almost everyone has tried a job at least once and thought, “Never again.” These moments help us learn more about ourselves and guide our careers in a direction that suits us better.
In the context of university studies, we often hear that someone “wasted a year” by changing their field. But that isn’t entirely fair. Even if someone extended their studies, they didn’t waste anything. Quite the opposite, in fact! They figured out what they don’t enjoy, what they’re not good at, and what they don’t want to pursue in the future.
Don’t be afraid to try new things. Look for internships and development opportunities, explore different fields of study, and take on new career challenges. Even if you later realize it wasn’t the right fit, you’ll be one step closer to making decisions you feel good about.
4. Meet new people
This point often goes hand in hand with trying new things. Actively build relationships with new people and let their stories inspire you. Don’t avoid networking events and start building your own list of contacts.