How introspection could help you unleash your potential

For example in any quarrel, since we have thought that I am right, I'm correct therefore we always blame our peers for mistakes. We tend to transfer the blame for our wrongdoing to others. In this scenario, we have mental distress and think about why everyone does wrong to me? And we curse the luck too. If we give pause to our thinking and introspect ourselves we can yield our potential. It's very easy to forgive ourselves. If we find our mistakes, automatically quarrel will be finished up and as a result, we can build a good relationship with our peers

We all are well convinced with our thoughts. We have every logic to prove ourselves as a virtue. Because of this thought, we always enforce ourselves to prove others wrong and we start enjoying the blame game. We even never think of whether it is right or wrong. We don't have any idea that this kind of mindset causes indirectly mental distress and depression.

For example in any quarrel, since we have thought that I am right, I'm correct therefore we always blame our peers for mistakes. We tend to transfer the blame for our wrongdoing to others. In this scenario, we have mental distress and think about why everyone does wrong to me? And we curse the luck too. If we give pause to our thinking and introspect ourselves we can yield our potential. It's very easy to forgive ourselves. If we find our mistakes, automatically quarrel will be finished up and as a result, we can build a good relationship with our peers.

Introspection is an act of self-awareness that involves thinking about and analysing our thoughts and behaviours. It is one of the defining characteristics of man versus animals. Animals have only reaction against love or violence whereas we humans have introspection against love or violence. We could think about the reason behind the actions or reactions of others and have opportunities to change our behaviour according to our desires. When we introspect we find our ability, behaviour, action, thoughts, yielding productivity etc.

Karma says: "Nothing happens by chance, by fate. We create our fate by our action and thoughts." Observing someone else behaviours is always easy but do we often try observing ourselves? This type of self-analysis is what we call 'introspection.'

How can we introspect ourselves?

Have 'me' time: We don't need to visit a special place for self-introspection. There is no specific time to do it. It could be done right after waking up in the morning, during travel or tea time, etc. Making sure that no one interrupts our concentration.

Ask yourself several questions: When we are alone we have the freedom to ask ourselves without the fear of being judged. Ask questions like – What do I want from life? What makes me happy? What are my strengths, what are my weakness? Do I hurt someone with my behaviour? Is my personality pleasant? What do others expect from me? What I did the whole day and what was others reactions to me?

Write down the answers: Take a pen and paper and jot down all the answers.

Observe the answers: It is important, to be honest as this exercise is meant only for the doer and only the doer will see the results. The reason for this is to understand the answers that we got after introspecting our thoughts.

Seek help if needed: It is always advisable to seek professional help or ask the people we trust the most such as family or friends.

Further, not all introspection is the same. Psychologists differentiate between two types of introspection. Self-reflection and self-rumination.

Self-reflection is a positive form of introspection from which people attribute meaning and significance to their thoughts and learn from their mistakes. That increases their self-awareness.

Self-rumination is the opposite, it is a negative form of introspection. From which a person obsesses over their shortcoming, doubting themselves and their self-worth. We do unnecessarily harm our self-esteem and causes unnecessary stress and worries.

The motive of this activity is self-improvement and not to increase stress. Knowing ourselves better results in a stronger relationship, a clear sense of purpose, self-acceptance and happiness. These benefits can help us in almost every area of life. That will make us better managers, employees, colleagues, parents, spouses and friends.

(The author is currently working as a merchandiser at Pearl Global Industries Limited at Gurugram)