I would imagine a good number of you are thinking why should I do a self-assessment? I’ll just skip this page – I know who I am and what I’m doing so it’s a waste of my time. Humor me, this is an exercise I wish I had done many times in my life – before graduating high school, multiple times during college, and before making career-changing decisions throughout my adulthood.
In her article: “5 Habits of Mentally Strong People”, (Summers 2023), Julianna Summers discusses how important it is to know yourself, to be self-aware. To understand your feelings, your motives for your actions, how you react to different situations, and how those actions affect the people around you. She also emphasizes the need to reflect on your successes and your failures always recognizing where you can improve.
Honest self-reflection is a prerequisite for our discussion of personal growth. To start to know yourself, you need to consider who you are and what’s important to you at this point in your life. The purpose of this exercise is for you to take the time to think about and identify your dreams, aspirations, motivations, and expectations. It may help you understand yourself better, figure out your goals, and make more informed decisions about your future. It may also help you to develop a stronger sense of purpose and direction in life.
Key Points to Remember
- There are no right or wrong answers. Just be honest with yourself; no judgment is attached to your responses.
- Take your time with this exercise; think about what’s important to you and why.
- Please write down your thoughts as you work through each prompt. You may want to refer to your answers at times throughout your process of personal growth.
Dreams and Aspirations
“The only thing that stands between you and your dream is the will to try and the belief that it is actually possible”
Joel Brown.
Question #1:
If you could wake up tomorrow with any skill, talent, or ability, what would it be and why?
Question #2:
Consider how your dreams define you. How important are they to your image of success and self-worth? Does your happiness depend on living the life or career of your dreams? Or are your dreams just the starting point for what motivates you to succeed?
Question #3:
Think of a childhood dream that you still hold onto. Why is it important to you? How would it feel to make that dream come true, and what sacrifices would you need to make (if any) to get there? How would it affect you if you could not make your dream come true?
Goals and Motivation
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to just try one more time.”
Thomas Edison.
Question #4:
List three things that truly motivate you, both intrinsically (leads to a sense of accomplishment or happiness) and extrinsically (money, job title, or recognition). How do these motivations influence your choices and actions throughout your everyday life?
Question #5:
Think of a past achievement you’re proud of. What motivated you on your endeavor, and how did it make you feel to achieve it?
Question #6:
Think of a time you overcame an unexpected challenge or setback. What motivated you to keep going? What did you learn from the experience? How, if any, has it changed the way you set goals in the future?
Expectations and Beliefs
“Lower expectations do not lead to happiness, no matter how often they are met.”
Michael Jordan
Question #7:
Whose expectations, past or present, have the strongest influence on your life, and that you feel obligated to meet? Are they aligned with your own beliefs and desires? How do you manage those expectations and stay true to your dreams and goals?
Question #8:
List five things you expect from yourself (for example, I expect myself to spend 30 minutes each day writing). How do these expectations impact your daily decisions and actions? Does meeting your expectations give you self-confidence and encourage you to do more? Or do these expectations overwhelm you?
Question #9:
Think about your expectations for others (friends, family, or people in general). Are these expectations realistic and attainable? How do they align with what you expect from yourself, your goals, and your beliefs?
Introspection and Change
“You know, to be able to do something great in your life, you’re gonna have to realize your failures. You’re gonna have to embrace them and figure out how to overcome it.”
Dave Chappelle
Question #10:
Think back. Name one thing in your life that you wish you could do over. Did you react harshly to a person’s comments or criticize someone unfairly? Were you given an opportunity to display your talents and skills or asked to do something meaningful and, for whatever reason, failed to meet expectations? Is there a decision you made whose consequences did you more harm than good? If so, what did you learn from the situation? What could you have done differently, and how will you change your behavior in the future?
Question#11:
Is there someone in your past who has left a lasting impression due to their unwavering support and guidance? This person consistently stood by you during times of need, providing advice, emotional and financial assistance, all without expecting anything in return. Someone who may not have said what you wanted to hear at the time, but precisely what you needed to hear. How did you respond to their guidance: were you grateful for their wisdom, or did you harbor resentment? Do you consider this person to be a role model for you? If so, how have these interactions changed your perspective on life and working with others?
