Category: Let's talk
How would you respond if someone asked you to describe how you feel about yourself...would you be able to reel off a whole list of qualities and talents, or would their inquisitiveness cause you to close up like a clam...I'd think for a minute then try to be as concise as its possible to be to a complete stranger...sometimes they can be easier to talk to...
I think it's a good exercise to imagine having to answer such a question candidly (not just list off your good qualities but your true qualities, the bad ones as well). I know for most job interviews in the U.S. (well those that I've been to, admittedly not that many but still quite a few) they invariably ask you "why should wehire you" or "what qualities wouldmake you a good employee" and also about your faults and such like. It's very hard to evaluate yourself I think you could be either to determined to come of lookinggood or perhaps to self critical since you know your own faults. Once in elementary school our teacher told us to grade our own paper instead ofher doing it and the average grade for that paper was the lowest of the winter, I was surprised I thought it would be the highest.
Cheers
-B
It would only be difficult to be truthful about yourself,if you lacked the self esteem to be honest,the reason why so many fail job interviews is glaringly obvious from the minute they open their mouths...poor self image is very hard to hide...
I think good self esteem is the best thing a person can have. That can't be confused with thinking you are the greatest thing since sliced bread though. I think most of those who boast insistently and seem to have an ego problem really have a low self esteem and are trying to hide that fact from themselves as well as the rest of the world. I think knowing and admitting to your flaws and also being honnest about your strengths is essential. Everyone has good qualities and is better than average at something. Even your aspirations may be enough to count as a major strength. I think being honnest with yourself as well as the rest of the world is crucial to your happiness really.
Its the old scenario of the man who tries to hide his insecurity about his lack of prowess with the same/opposite sex, behind a big fast expensive car. In Scotland we have areal problem with people who have done well.
We invariably want them to lose and it's down to he/she has succeeded and we haven't, so we will hate you for it..
If you asked an average Scot to list their faults and qualities they would be lost....
As much as I agree that self-awareness and self-esteem are a good thing, I think I'd be totally lost if asked to do an on-the-spot self-analysis. I'm not particularly intraspective, though I can be as analytical as all hell when it comes to other people, and it's just not something I'd expect someone to ask, so it'd throw me for a loop. The greeks bothered to carve "know thyself" over the entrance to the oracle of Delphi, their most respected source of wisdom, so an emphasis on self-esteem and self-understanding isn't a recent focus by any means.
I don't have an opinion of myself, I find it difficult to answer the question "what do you think of yourself". I don't have any problem analysing anything I've experienced or witnessed though.