The Benefits of Self-Knowledge

Maybe it’s obvious, but here in a nutshell are a few reasons why you might want to know your
own nature:
• Happiness. You will be happier when you can express who you are. Expressing your
desires will make it more likely that you get what you want.
• Less inner conflict. When your outside actions are in accordance with your inside
feelings and values, you will experience less inner conflict.
• Better decision-making. When you know yourself, you are able to make better choices
about everything, from small decisions like which sweater you’ll buy to big decisions like which
partner you’ll spend your life with. You'll have guidelines you can apply to solve life’s varied
problems.
• Self-control. When you know yourself, you understand what motivates you to resist bad
habits and develop good ones. You'll have the insight to know which values and goals activate
your willpower.
• Resistance to social pressure. When you are grounded in your values and
preferences, you are less likely to say “yes” when you want to say “no.”
• Tolerance and understanding of others. Your awareness of your own foibles and
struggles can help you empathize with others.
• Vitality and pleasure. Being who you truly are helps you feel more alive and makes
your experience of life richer, larger, and more exciting.

The Building Blocks of Self: Your VITALS

V = Values
“Values"—such as “helping others,” “being creative,” “health,” “financial security,” and so on—
are guides to decision-making and motivators for goals. Research shows that just thinking or
writing about your values can make it more likely that you take healthy actions. The motivation
provided by worthwhile values can also keep you going even when you are tired, as shown in
many psychology experiments. If you want to self-motivate, know your values!

I = Interests
“Interests” include your passions, hobbies, and anything that draws your attention over a
sustained period of time. To figure out your interests, ask yourself these questions: What do you
pay attention to? What are you curious about? What concerns you? The focused mental state of
being interested in something makes life vivid and may give you clues to your deepest passions.
T = Temperament
“Temperament” describes your inborn preferences. Do you restore your energy from being
alone (introvert) or from being with people (extrovert)? Are you a planner or go-with-the-flow
type of person? Do you make decisions more on the basis of feelings or thoughts and facts? Do
you prefer details or big Ideas? Knowing the answers to temperament questions like these could
help you gravitate toward situations in which you could flourish and avoid situations in which you
could wilt.

A = Around-the-Clock Activities
The “around-the-clock” category refers to when you like to do things—your biorhythms. Are you
a morning person or a night person, for example? At what time of day does your energy peak? If
you schedule activities when you are at your best, you are respecting your innate biology. As I
look back on my life, I realize I’ve been a morning person since birth.

L = Life Mission and Meaningful Goals

“What have been the most meaningful events of your life?”
Ask yourself the same question: “What have been the most meaningful events of your life?” You
may discover clues to your hidden identity, to your career, and to life satisfaction.

S = Strengths
"Strengths" can include not only abilities, skills, and talents, but also character strengths such as
loyalty, respect for others, love of learning, emotional intelligence, fairness, and more. (See here
for a list of character strengths). Knowing your strengths is one of the foundations of self-
confidence; not being able to acknowledge your own superpowers could put you on the
path to low self-esteem. Become a person who “takes in the good,” listening for compliments
and noticing skills that could be clues to your strengths.
Likewise, knowing your weaknesses can help you be honest with yourself and others about
what you are not good at. You might decide either to work on those weaknesses or try to make
them a smaller part of your personal or professional life.

Being True to You

Even if you know your "VITAL Signs," it’s hard to remain true to yourself because you are
constantly changing and because society’s values often conflict with your own.