Questions you need to ask yourself to know yourself

Self-awareness is one of the most vital qualities of any human being. Not just the awareness of life and his/her surroundings, but awareness of his/her identity.

The awareness of this goes a long way in helping the individual identify his or her role in society – purpose, as well as the direction he or she should take.

As a scientist, I have learned that every discovery begins with a question or set of questions. These questions bring about hypotheses or theories which are yet to be proven. And then, after being tested, they become facts and rules that can be applied and replicated.

This application also works in self-discovery and awareness. It starts with a series of questions that lead to assumptions, and after being tested with time and experience, they become facts that can be reapplied – at work, in relationships, in your family, etc.

These questions will guide you on your journey to self-discovery and awareness;

1.  Who am I? Sounds cliché but is perhaps one of the most important questions that you need to ask yourself. It is equally important to note that you may not get your answer as soon as you ask. The first step in self-awareness and discovery is not answering these questions, but asking them. Who you are is not referring to your name, background, or other personal details. It refers to a deeper awareness of yourself, beyond what everyone including yourself sees.
2. Where am I from? In order to see the future in a clear view, you need to understand the past, your history. Hidden within your past experiences are fragments of who you are, pieces of a puzzle that needs to be fixed.
3. Where am I heading? Now we can talk about your destination, which is a sum total of your personality, interests, history and the people you surround yourself with. Everywhere is a destination for those who have no clue where they are going.
4. What do I want to be popular for? Recently I was trying to apply to be a fellow at TedX, and one of the questions was relating to any innovation I have created or helped to create. They were looking for people who did not just have knowledge but had contributed immensely to their chosen field of interest. One problem we face a lot in Africa is people trying to do everything. This is quite understandable due to the dying economy in the African county. It’s still no excuse, as we have seen impact stories of Africans who against all odds did really amazing stuff and became popular as a result. We have examples like Chimamanda Achebe, Trevor Noah, among others.
5. What do I want people to say about me when I die? Nobody wants to die right? Nobody even likes entertaining the question. But it does not change the reality of this fact. If you were to leave the earth today, what would you like to be remembered for? What do you want people to talk about?

Like I said earlier, these questions do not have immediate answers. It can take a little more time compared to other people to get your answers. However, it opens the door to more discovery than you would have ever imagined.

Tip: Get a journal, diary or a small note where you can write out these questions, and answer them on a weekly basis. Always reviewing your last answers.