Emotional Intelligence

Self-awareness could consider several things in specificity to an individual’s motive, feelings, strengths, and weaknesses. Of course, people do consider it as one of the great values or, at least, as a positive characteristic. One may be able to improve relations with people, achieve effective problem-solving, and bring the needed change in the self. Nonetheless, having too much consciousness about the self is also not devoid of disadvantages.

On the positive side, self-awareness helps one to moderate his or her emotions and stress reduction in this regard because an individual is well equipped to deal with emotions. Since the social contingent perception of others’ moods is easier when self-consciousness is present, it can similarly increase empathy. Similarly, self-learners are also active and logical and this benefits them at the individual and career levels.

On the other hand, the amount of self-awareness is toxic because, while it is self-enhancing in moderation, an incredible amount of self-awareness leads to self-criticism and overthinking. Anxiety and low self-esteem are likely to be incurred by those who are constantly assessing their ideas and behaviors. Self-reflectiveness can also result in atomicity where all decisions are delayed by the fear of choosing the wrong decision. Also, rather excessive self-consciousness may lead to excessive cautiousness and eliminates creativity as a result.

To sum up, self-awareness as a component of the general emotional intelligence needed to become a more effective person is indeed a valuable skill but it needs to be tempered with reason as well. Various negative effects are connected with increased self-consciousness; however, anxiety and hesitation are two of the most significant ones. Thus, I can conclude that if managed properly, self-awareness can be effectively utilized in the same way as it gives benefits without paying attention to the possible deficits.