01 Lesson 1: Knowing Oneself
Knowing Oneself
➢ Adolescence is the period from puberty to
young adulthood. It is one of the most
crucial developmental stages because,
by the end of this period, a person must
gain a firm sense of ego identity.
➢ According to Erik Erikson (1985), the
primordial concern of adolescence is to
rise above the identity vs. identity
confusion. With this in mind, it becomes
important that the confusion crisis be
addressed at an early stage.
➢ Knowing oneself takes a lifetime of
reflection and analysis. The human
person is such an intricate, complex, and
dynamic being that needs better
understanding.
How One Gets to Know Oneself
➢ Understanding Personality
Personality originated from the Latin
word persona, which referred to a theatrical
mask worn by Roman actors in Greek
dramas. These ancient Roman actors wore a
mask (persona) to project a role or false
appearance.
Personality is a pattern of relatively
permanent traits and unique characteristics
that give both consistency and individuality
to a person’s behavior (Roberts & Mroczek,
2008).
Traits are individual differences in
behavior, consistency of behavior over time,
and stability of behavior across situations.
Characteristics are unique qualities of
an individual that include such attributes as
temperament, physique, and intelligence.
© St. Michael Academy of Meycauayan, Inc. | Personal Development, 2020
Throughout one’s lifetime, however,
personality may change.
➢ Appreciating Values
Values pertain to moral codes, norms of
conduct, and ethical principles a person
adheres to. Examples of these are
integrity, compassion, loyalty, excellence,
professionalism, honesty, etc. These core
values play a big role in interpersonal
relations, decision-making, problem-
solving, career choice, among others.
➢ Knowing the Body and Physical Attributes
The physical body is a tangible proof of a
person’s existence. On the aspect of
physical attributes, differences may be
due to genetics, age, lifestyle, ailments, or
personal enhancements.
➢ Recognizing Dreams and Aspirations
Dreams and aspirations serve as
roadmap to the future. They mirror a part
of that person and the type of individual
he/she desires someday. These goals
should be worked on daily.
➢ Identifying Likes and Dislikes
These define what bring satisfaction and
dissatisfaction to a person. Doing things
that are disliked may only bring
frustration. On the contrary, doing things
that you like may bring gratification. Being
able to identify one’s likes and dislikes
enables a person to define the personality
and boost individual confidence.
➢ Embracing the Past
A big part of the knowledge about oneself
constitutes the past. The experiences one
encounters teach lessons in life. Whether
or not these experiences are worth
reminiscing, the important thing is how
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 the person sees the past and draws emergency or crisis situation that
inspiration from it to continue on with calls for one to act
his/her life. instantaneously.
➢ A person can use the Johari Window to
➢ Understanding Self-Perception and improve the self by:
Others’ Perceptions • Self-disclosure and
Knowledge of the self is a product of one’s sharing – To pave the way
own perception, view of oneself in relation for better understanding, it
to other people, others’ perceptions, and would help if a person can
how a person truly is based on objective share a part of the self,
reality. though not necessarily the
personal side which could
Johari Window include intimate and secret
details of one’s life and
experiences. By revealing a
part of one’s self, a person
can widen the open area
and reduce the hidden
area.
• Establishing trust – If two
persons will be open with
each other, a
communication based on
trust is easier to achieve.
• Asking for feedback and
Fig. 1.1 The Johari Window
giving feedback – Asking
➢ Introduced by two noted psychologists, for feedback is one way to
Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham. know about the perception
➢ It consists of four window panes. of others. Giving feedback,
➢ It is designed to help an individual grow on the other hand, keeps
through learning more about oneself and the mode of understanding
others. between two parties open.
The Four Window Panes With the use of feedback,
• Open Area – The area known to the blind quadrant is
oneself and known to others. (Ex: reduced as a person
age, gender, and educational becomes aware of the
attainment) blind spot.
• Hidden Area – The area known
only to oneself and not known by
others.
• Blind Area – The area not known to
self, but is known by others or the
“blind spot”. (Ex: expressions and
mannerisms)
• Unknown Area – The area not
known to the person and others.
This area remains untapped and
undiscovered until the time or right
opportunity comes such as an

© St. Michael Academy of Meycauayan, Inc. | Personal Development, 2020 Page 2

Fig. 1.2 The Johari Window (Source: strategy, maximization of strengths is
https://www.mindtools.com/media/Diagrams/Johari-
realized.
Window-Diagram-New.jpg)
• Use strengths to avoid threats.
A person’s strong qualities can
provide a shield against threats. For
example, a college graduate seeking
Personal SWOT
for a job can very well make use of
assertiveness as a competitive
advantage over other candidates for
a sales job. An applicant who is smart
and confident has better chances of
getting hired.
• Overcome weaknesses by grabbing
opportunities.
One has to get rid of weaknesses or
overcome limitations if only to seize
opportunities that will prove
Fig. 1.3 SWOT Analysis (Source: advantageous for the attainment of
https://www.skillrary.com/blogs/read/swot-analysis)
personal or professional growth. For
example, a student who has stage
➢ an abbreviation for strengths,
fright must learn to overcome such
weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
fear to pass his/her speech 101 subject.
➢ used for planning in the business context,
This is a good opportunity to conquer
but it can also be used on a more
one’s anxiety in facing an audience.
personal level to appraise oneself.
• Minimize weaknesses and avoid
➢ Strengths are the person’s positive
threats.
attributes, whereas weaknesses refer to
An individual must strategize to
the negative attributes. These are
acknowledge limitations and avoid
attributed to an individual, something
threats. For instance, if one is not good
internal to the person.
at technical skills, he/she should not
➢ Opportunities and threats are aspects of
look for a job that requires such
the environment that are external to the
competency. This way, the person is
individual. Opportunities can open doors
able to avert situations that could
for growth and development, whereas
cause frustrations and
threats can dampen one’s capability to
disappointments.
achieve desired goals.
➢ An individual SWOT can be used for
➢ SWOT Analysis likewise helps and
personal or professional advancement. It
individual come up with a strategic
can help a person in preparing an action
personal plan and map out a personal
plan.
reform agenda or action plan.

How can one be assisted by SWOT Analysis?

Accepting Weaknesses and Limitations
• Use strengths to grab opportunities.
No one is born perfect. Everyone has
One’s strong points or positive
certain weaknesses and limitations. To compare
characteristics can be capitalized to
oneself with others will only cause frustration as
seize the opportunities available in the
there will always be individuals endowed with
immediate environment. For instance,
more positive qualities and traits. Focusing on
a student who has strong persuasive
what one lacks and not on one what has only
skills and is good in selling may apply
sows discontentment and dissatisfaction. This
for a part-time sales job. Through this

© St. Michael Academy of Meycauayan, Inc. | Personal Development, 2020 Page 3

may later lead to feelings of anger, anxiety,
insecurity, frustration and depression.

Knowing that human beings are not perfect

should not be a source of negative feelings, but
an opportunity to accept the limitations of
individual persons. Here are some tips on how
weaknesses can be transformed in to strengths.
• Accept one’s weaknesses and limitations.
Overcome fear.
• Examine limitations and determine
possible causes for such limitations.
Analyze the things that can be done with
areas for improvement.
• With the proper mindset and use of
positive thinking, learn to concentrate on
how to improve on those areas. Find
alternative ways on how to be creative
and successful.
• Keep on trying. Feel inspired. Do it with
style.
• Acknowledge little successes.
• Celebrate for successfully turning
weaknesses into strengths.

References:

Feist, J., Feist, G., & Roberts TA. (2018). Theories of

Personality 9th Edition. 2 Penn Plaza, New
York, NY 10121: Mc-Graw Hill Education

Caparas, M. (2018). Personal Development

Discovering the Key to Success. Abiva
Bldg., 851 G. Araneta Ave., QC: Abiva
Publishing House, Inc.

© St. Michael Academy of Meycauayan, Inc. | Personal Development, 2020 Page 4