A self-schema is like a personal roadmap of what intrinsically makes you, you. We could think of it as the brain’s handy little filing system that stores all the information about who we are—our likes, dislikes, talents, and quirks. It’s our own mind-map blueprint that helps us understand and navigate our own behaviours, thoughts, and feelings. Similar to how a GPS needs an updated map to give accurate directions, our self-schema helps us make sense of our experiences and guides our actions to, as best as we can, align with our sense of self.
Knowing our own self-schema delivers some significant benefits. For starters, it enhances self-awareness, making us more attuned to what makes us tick. This means we can better understand our motivations, recognise our strengths, and identify the most fruitful areas for our growth. Plus, being aware of our self-schema can really boost our confidence and self-esteem. When we have a clear picture of who we are, we can make decisions that feel right for us and stand firm in our choices, much like an experienced sailor may use a trusty compass to help accurately navigate a journey.
However, understanding our self-schema is not simply about self-reflection; it also improves our daily interactions with others. When we are clear about our own values and beliefs, we can communicate more effectively and build stronger relationships. It helps us empathize with others, as we become more aware of how our own experiences shape our paradigms. So, whether we are steering a team towards an objective, or navigating some social complexities, knowing our self-schema ensures we are charting a course that’s true to who we are.
Once we have taken time to develop your self-schema – [and having a coach in this space is invaluable], it is worth taking time to understand our own top five core values and what they are and what they are not. The “are” and “are not” of Core values, are areas of my unique insights and specialism as a coach.
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