The odd irony of self awareness

Self-awareness is the successful writer’s secret prowess — or most significant barrier.

In her fantastic book “Insight,” author Tasha Eurich calls self-awareness the meta-skill of the twenty-first century.

Here are 3 ways a lack of self-awareness blocks creative success.

Reason #1: Delusion.

None of us have complete access to the truth vault.

Delusion — the opposite of self-awareness — is the most potent saboteur of your efforts to create content audiences crave.

Here’s how to know if you’re delusional.

Check your pulse.

If you have one, you are deluded (at least a little).

The antidote for delusion is humility. The moment you say, “I could be wrong about this,” delusion retreats.

Reason #2. Assumptions.

We seldom examine our assumptions.

We all have blind spots.

It’s hard enough when you don’t know what your audience wants. It’s far worse in such cases when you assume you do.

Hint: Your reader doesn’t always know what you mean (see reason #1).

Reason #3 Questions.

We undervalue the art of asking.

Questions are like x-ray glasses when it comes to assumptions. It’s not just open-ended or clever questions either.

Successful writers ask different questions.

And ask them differently.

Master the art.

Do you want to impact others with your writing?

Do you know which of your strengths will best serve that purpose?

You’re going to need self-awareness from the inside out.

And from the outside in.

Read this post and more on my Typeshare Social Blog