Reverb Consulting

(photo by advicepig)

Metacognition is thinking about thinking. Reflection, observation, and synthesis are the skills that we use to think about ourselves and about ourselves in any given circumstance or system, like a relationship or an organization.

An important place to start to become “metacognitive” is to start gathering insights through non-judgmental, non-rationalizing observation of one’s actions, behaviors, and beliefs. A good first observing task or actually place to research is to look into one’s own strengths, weaknesses, interests and passions:

What am I good at?
What is hard for me?
What types about things do I always procrastinate in doing?
What areas do I like to learn about?
What do I love to do, places I love to be, things I love to think about?
How would I choose to spend my time if I had absolute freedom?
How do I learn best?
Do I like to learn alone or with people?
Do I like to learn from books, audio, video, or hands-on?
Do I like to know things or do I like to learn things?
Do I like sharing my knowledge?
Do I like using my knowledge as a badge, weapon, or barrier?
What do I know about how people learn and specifically about how I learn?
Do I arrange situations so that they fit me, my strengths, and my learning style?
How do I manage my time?
What do I not know about me that I would like to know?
What have I not considered? (usually this is what really bugs you about other people)

Metacognition is similar to Gardner’s intrapersonal intelligence where one constructs an accurate self-perception and uses it to make decisions. Knowing yourself helps you become more strategic, more effective, and more perceptive and understanding of others. Deep self-knowledge creates the space and acceptance for the fact that others can and will be really different for us.

Knowing oneself well allows each of us to pinpoint those beliefs and skills that are just too small anymore, too limiting. It is by growing these skills and beliefs that we are able to adapt to new challenges, new people, and new directions.

Looking inward is the first best step to creating and leading new outward direction that is sustainable.