Observe: Self Review
- personal995
- Jun 9, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 16, 2025
Index
Purpose
Observe: Self Review is a section of Observe.
This page and section exists to check in and objectively review your relationships with Observe.
The more objective and honest your are, the more likely you are to face reality accurately, and in turn, the more likely you are to get beneficial outcomes.
Introduction
Richard Feynman, the great physicist, once said, “The first principle is that you must not fool yourself — and you are the easiest person to fool.”
We need to check in with ourselves and keep ourselves honest. We all stray from our Values, Goals and The Path. That is normal, that is okay. What we do when we realise we have strayed is what matters.
The Socratic method is a form of cooperative, argumentative dialogue to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas. It is named after the classical Greek philosopher Socrates, who employed this method in his teaching.
In the Socratic method, instead of providing direct answers to questions, a person engages in a dialogue to explore and clarify their own (or others) thoughts and beliefs. This process involves asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and uncover underlying assumptions or contradictions.
When applied to the self, the Socratic method becomes a means of self-inquiry and reflection.
Process
In the tradition of the Socratic method, the below is a series of questions to consider when checking in with yourself as you progress:
Review each question one at a time. Are you being honest with yourself? Do you truly know your position and progress?
The Self Review Worksheet in The Workbook can be used to help document your thoughts, answers and plans for moving forward.
Based on your review, thoughts, answers and plans for moving forward:
Do you need to adjust your Models & Theories to course correct or move forward?
Do you have further Lessons to learn to adapt your approach?
Are there Tactics that could assist you to better handle specific scenarios?
Whatever the answers are you discover about yourself, whether positive or negative, it doesn't really matter. What matters is what you do next.
Continually learn, continually improve and move forward.
Self Review
1. What do I genuinely enjoy doing?
Reflect on activities that bring you joy and satisfaction. Identifying your passions can provide insight into potential areas of interest in your life's work.
2. What are my natural talents and strengths?
Consider the skills and abilities that come easily to you. Understanding your strengths can guide you toward areas where you can excel and make meaningful contributions.
3. What were the activities or interests that brought me joy and curiosity during my childhood?
Reflect on the hobbies, games, or activities that genuinely excited you as a child. Childhood inclinations often reveal innate interests and passions that may provide clues to potential areas of fulfillment and purpose in your life's work.
4. What challenges or tasks energize me rather than drain me?
Take note of activities that leave you feeling invigorated and engaged. This can help identify areas where you may find intrinsic motivation and fulfillment.
5. Am I aligning my actions with my values?
Reflect on your core values and assess whether your current pursuits align with them. A sense of purpose often comes from work that resonates with your deeply held beliefs.
6. What feedback have I received from others about my strengths and weaknesses?
Seek feedback from friends, family, and colleagues. Others may provide valuable insights into your qualities and areas for improvement that you might not see yourself.
7. Do I feel a sense of meaning and purpose in my current pursuits?
Consider whether your work aligns with a deeper sense of purpose. Feeling a connection between your actions and a greater purpose can enhance your overall satisfaction.
8. Am I pursuing a particular field primarily for external validation or societal expectations?
Explore whether your choices are influenced by the expectations of others or societal norms. Assess whether you are making decisions based on your own values and aspirations or those imposed by external pressures.
9. How do financial considerations impact my decision-making process?
Acknowledge the role that financial considerations play in your choices. Reflect on whether your pursuit of a certain career is driven solely by monetary gains or if it also aligns with your intrinsic motivations and values.
10. Are there any preconceived notions or stereotypes influencing my career choices?
Examine whether you hold any stereotypes or preconceived notions about certain professions or industries. Assess whether these biases are limiting your exploration of diverse and potentially fulfilling opportunities.
11. Do I prioritize short-term gains over long-term fulfillment?
Reflect on whether you are making decisions based solely on immediate benefits rather than considering the long-term satisfaction and alignment with your life's purpose. Be mindful of the balance between short-term gains and long-term fulfillment.
12. How do my personal ideologies or beliefs shape my career preferences?
Consider how your personal ideologies, whether political, cultural, or philosophical, influence your career choices. Reflect on whether these beliefs enhance or limit your openness to diverse opportunities and perspectives.
13. Am I overly influenced by the success stories of others in a particular field?
Reflect on whether external success stories are shaping your perceptions and expectations. Understand that individual paths vary, and what works for others may not necessarily align with your own strengths, interests, and values.
14. Do I fear failure or taking risks because of societal judgments?
Assess whether the fear of failure or societal judgment is holding you back from pursuing a path that truly resonates with you. Consider how these fears may be impacting your willingness to take risks and embrace new opportunities.
15. Have I explored a diverse range of options, or am I fixated on a narrow set of choices?
Evaluate whether you have explored a broad range of possibilities or if your focus is limited to a specific set of options. Recognize the potential for biases in narrowing your perspective and hindering your ability to discover a more suitable and fulfilling path.
By posing these self-reflective questions you can deepen your awareness of your current position. In turn, enhancing the clarity and most important steps of your strategic approach moving forward.
Output Checklist
Completed Self Review Worksheet from The Workbook guided via the above Observe: Self Review.
Next Steps
If you feel you have key learnings to takeaway, return to Observe: Main to integrate into your Output Checklist.
To continue to learn more, move on to Observe: Lessons.
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