Tools for Personal Growth

[PTJohn]

What's your most effective method to gain better insight on yourself?

Personally, I like to journal and meditate. The journaling allows me to take thoughts from my mind and put them on paper, which allows me to confront and deconstruct irrational thoughts that lurk in my consciousness.

Although I don't directly use meditation to gain insight on myself, I do find that when I calm my mind, important personal thoughts come through the clarity.

Anyone else have some techniques that they find work well with themselves?

[WilliWibald]

I try to talk with someone that I trust. Oftentimes talking with someone about a topic brings me more good ideas (even if I do most of the talking and the other one is just listening). The presence of another human being seems to make me think harder (or at least differently, then when I am alone).

[simplystephen]

Many people spend very little time to gain a better insight on themselves - often ignoring it or always looking at others. While meditation, yoga, writing, and creative pursuits are useful to clear the mind and body of frustration it may not help you reach any goal.

I think it is important to ask yourself a very specific question first - What is it, I want insight on? Then focus on that goal or issue that I would like a resolve on. I can then come up with a clearer picture. Doing this just before bed is also a neat trick as it gives your subconscious mind the time to think and dream about it. In the morning, you have discovered a solution or insight.

Try this out tonight. Just before you go to bed tell yourself about the great day you are going to have tomorrow and visualize it in your mind. My bet - you will have a great day.

When you get used to it you can try it out with reflective thoughts. I find that reflecting too much while you are awake is a recipe to become sad or at least over stimulated with thought, especially in a society full of immediate stimulation everywhere!

[PTJohn]

Originally Posted by simplystephen

Doing this just before bed is also a neat trick as it gives your subconscious mind the time to think and dream about it. In the morning, you have discovered a solution or insight.

Great point about using your subconscious as a tool to gain insight