All self-improvement and all life-advancement begins with awareness.
Key Point: Until you are *aware* that you have an issue or weakness — whether in your character or a specific skill set — you are not in a position to effectively and appropriately deal with it, whether that would be simply mitigating the weakness or even turning that weakness into a strength.
Once aware, however, you can now take the necessary steps and actions in order to move to your next level of personal and professional success.
Exercise: Work on creating awareness by asking others (whose opinions you respect) what your weaknesses are.
If you feel yourself becoming defensive by their replies, don’t argue or try to explain them away. Just politely offer your thanks.
You can then logically consider later whether that person may have a valid point. If you receive the same comment from several people, you may have to get past the ego and move into acceptance.
Then you are aware, and you have a place to begin.
