“If my mind can conceive it and my heart can believe it. I know I can achieve it. Down with dope! Up with hope! I am somebody!” – A famous quote from Jesse Jackson (The March on Washington, 1933) is tantamount to saying that mind over matter works. That it starts with the mind and therefore as Stephen Covey suggested let us begin with an end in mind because eventually what you have conceive and believed is what you are going to achieve.
Starting with knowing ourselves through some processes as Erik Erikson’s psychosocial development proposes that adolescence is a “cocoon” stage of a person wherein the personality and self-concept is developed. Some teenagers may have a hard-time getting through this stage. It really is hard. But getting through this certain stage may be the most fulfilling achievement one could have for himself/herself.
One should know what self-awareness is before one can understand who she is. Self-awareness involves the understanding of one’s emotion for better transformation and usage. It is mostly used in order to eliminate the patterns of self-destructive behaviors and responses. But how does one go through Self-awareness? Here are some tips to do. (1) Make a journal of your habits. For us to be aware of our self-destructive behaviors – using a journal maybe a perfect tool for us to determine what habits may destroy or build us. (2) Know your strengths and weaknesses. One must determine his/her vigor and waterloos. Knowing what yours is, may help you use them to your advantage. It doesn’t mean you need to change things with which you are weak with but trying first to accept what is in you and work out from there on how these will work for you. Improvement is always possible. Using what you know you have, is always an advantage to growing and developing. (3)Decide what is important in your life right now. Introspect on what is your main priority currently. Is it your friends? Your family? God? High grades? Or being able to learn? This is where you will be able to derive your inner motivation. Knowing what is important to you helps you focus on the here and now which will give you greater joy when given enough time and effort in order to succeed. Think of what is beneficial to you and to your development not only what you just wanted. (4) Know your inner motivation. What inspires you to move towards your goal? Use it and let it drive you further towards your goal. A person with the greatest motivation will survive through most challenges they face. Start stirring that inertia to work within.
Developing personality starts with self-awareness but knowing oneself is taking a little alone time and think about on who you are as a separate individual. A unique you who deserves to express your opinion. Having your opinions expressed is letting the person in you be known by people around you. Voice out what you wanted to say and let it be heard by others. That is – exercising who you are. Do not just settle on what others want for you. Being positive and having a little fun is what makes you a different person because we get to enjoy life in multiple different ways as individuals. Life is pointless if you just look on its negative side. Be an optimist and always remember to do what you love and love what you do as long as it is always beneficial for you as a developing person. Lastly, being yourself and being confident about it follow through once you know yourself. Just be it. Never let the pressure to be perfect destroys your individuality. It is said as an old Chinese saying that “One needs to cultivate the spirits of sacrificing the little me to achieve the benefits of the big me”. As it was said: begin with an end in mind… what you wanted to be who you are, is what you will be as you see yourself through the mirror you have set before your own very eyes. Know yourself and be that person you wanted to be.
By: Jennlyn Y. Dizon |Guidance Counselor II | BNHS Senior HighSchool | Balanga, Bataan
