Increasing Self-Awareness: The Key to Personal Growth

Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

Self-awareness is both one of the most important skills for a person to have, and one of the most challenging to develop. In this episode of Being Well, Dr. Rick and Forrest Hanson explore what it takes to increase self-awareness over time, the different forms of awareness that come into play, and why maintaining self-awareness can be such a struggle. Rick then emphasizes how we can develop a greater awareness of the positive aspects of ourselves. 

Watch the Episode: Prefer watching video? You can watch this episode on YouTube.

Key Topics:

0:00: Introduction

1:45: Rick’s observations of people’s self-awareness when beginning therapy 

6:10: Distinguishing internal and external self-awareness

7:40: Different types of internal self-awareness

12:20: Why is it hard to become self-aware?

18:45: Positive discoveries and Forrest’s personal experience

29:05: The natural movement toward health and sanity

33:35: What causes us to lose touch with positive aspects of our nature?

42:45: How can we cultivate more self-awareness over time?

49:45: Questions to ask yourself

54:50: A creative exercise for mapping out parts of yourself

58:10: Recap

Support the Podcast: We're now on Patreon! If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link.

Have a question for us? 

Email: contact@beingwellpodcast.com to submit questions or potential topics you'd like us to explore in future episodes.

Sponsors:

Join over a million people using BetterHelp, the world’s largest online counseling platform. Visit betterhelp.com/beingwell for 10% off your first month!

Want to sleep better? Try the Calm app! Visit calm.com/beingwell for 40% off a premium subscription.

Try Splendid Spoon today and take meal-planning off your plate. Just go to SplendidSpoon.com/BEINGWELL for $50 off your first box

Discover your full genetic potential by uploading your existing DNA test results at genomelink.io. No trial period, no credit card, and no hidden fees!

Connect with the show:

  • Subscribe on iTunes
  • Follow Forrest on YouTube
  • Follow us on Instagram
  • Follow Forrest on Instagram
  • Follow Rick on Facebook
  • Follow Forrest on Facebook
  • Visit Forrest's website

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.

Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada