Need to hold a mirror up to yourself?

I've spent the last 10 years working within training, learning & development. It's become second nature for me to be continually developing myself and learning more about myself in the process. So, why is this now useful for me as a successful entrepreneur? For a start, I have surrounded myself with people who complement not replicate my strengths and weaknesses. Secondly, I have put in place checks and balances to stop my weaknesses sabotaging my chances of success. I generally spend most of my time & energy playing to my strengths - and use the team around me to do the rest.

So how do you increase your personal levels of self-awareness?

1. Ask others

Make a habit of regularly asking for feedback from people around you. Even if you don't agree with what is being said, say thank you and that you will think about what has been said. If you find that two or three people keep on saying the same thing, then take note!

2. Notice your personal energy levels

When you are playing to your strengths everything seems easy and you can accomplish a massive amount in a small amount of time. These are the days when you spend 12 hours working, but it only feels like you have spent 4 hours at your desk. On the flip side when you are not playing to your strengths, time will drag and your energy levels will be low and it's hard work. Start jotting down what tasks you love doing and are energised by and what zaps your energy. When you are energised you are playing to your strengths - when you find your energy getting zapped very quickly, this is a weakness.

3. Take time out

In my mad world of being an entrepreneur, there is rarely time to reflect. I make sure I have a 10-15 minute thinking time each day and use it to think about what has gone well, and what has not gone well.

4. Work with a coach

Coaching is a great way of helping build up self-awareness. A good coach (such as myself) will be prepared to hold the mirror up and tell you what others, including yourself, wouldn't dare to tell you.

If you are finding that you are your own worse enemy, or struggling to understand why some things seem easy and others don't - why not drop me a line for a conversation - heather@theefficiencycoach.co.uk

Heather Townsend is the Chief Coach at The Efficiency Coach, and Founding Elder of ‘the executive village’. The Efficiency Coach, an award-winning business, works with professional advisors and business owners to help them achieve better business results for less effort. The executive village brings together business owners to help them solve their business challenges.