I was in the hangar again, among the engineers, observing the repair of a small dent on the fuselage. A tiny dent that goes unnoticed can eventually turn into a major structural issue. Right then, a thought crossed my mind "Could there be little “dents” hidden within me, too?" We often fail to notice the subtle problems inside ourselves, much like missing small flaws on an aircraft fuselage.
That thought made me pause. A few years ago, I had asked myself, “Am I truly aware of what I’ve been doing recently, and why?” The answer wasn’t as simple as I had hoped. Just like the aircraft needs a thorough inspection, I realized it was time to take a closer look at myself.
Awareness: The Essential Part of Personal Maintenance
Aircrafts go into “scheduled maintenance” after a certain number of flight hours. Systems are checked, potential future failures are identified, and if necessary, they are fixed. In much the same way, I need to carry out regular “maintenance” on myself. Otherwise, unnoticed issues can grow inside me and eventually manifest as much bigger problems down the road.
Over time, I discovered how crucial self-awareness is for understanding what’s going well in my life and what’s holding me back. Setting goals, staying motivated, communicating better in my relationships—all these things are closely linked to how well I understand my inner world.
A Small Observation, A Big Transformation
That day, I decided to conduct an inner assessment—an in-depth questioning. Much like engineers detailed inspect every part of the aircraft, I checked my behaviors, emotions, and thought patterns.
First, I questioned my habits. During lunch breaks, I would quickly grab a snack and rush back to my desk, thinking it made me more efficient. But what about making time for myself? I was barely doing that. This simple observation led me to try something different; taking a short walk at lunchtime while listening to calming music.
Then, I noted my emotions and feelings. During stressful times, I found myself shutting down or getting irritated too quickly. Upon reflection, I realized I was reacting anxiously to a sense that “everyone expects something from me.”
Later, I found out I had become too set in my ways. Beliefs like “I must do everything, I must keep up, I can never say no” were operating like a silent engine, draining me continuously. But learning to say “no” sometimes allowed me to maintain a healthier pace.
These observations opened the door to small yet significant changes. Short walks, naming my emotions, and saying “no” when necessary all combined to improve my mood and work performance noticeably.
No Progress Without Self-Awareness
Trying to plan corrective actions immediately without first identifying an aircraft’s faults is extremely difficult—and the same logic applies to self-development. Without self-awareness, genuine progress is nearly impossible. Understanding where I stand and where I want to go provided honest answers to crucial questions. If I'd tried to skip this step, I might have seemed to move forward for a while, but in reality, I’d be stuck in the same place.
As I emphasized in my first post, personal growth isn’t a “luxury”—it’s the key to sustainable success and happiness. And self-awareness is the first crucial step in using that key.
I have to remember that the most important journeys often begin with a small moment of awareness. Just like fixing a tiny dent in the fuselage makes an aircraft safer, focusing on the small internal details I typically overlook can help me build a stronger future.
One insight or emotional shift I notice in myself today could open a huge door for tomorrow. So I ask myself, “What am I doing, and why?” and I follow wherever that answer leads. Because the first step toward personal growth is truly knowing myself.
As I mentioned in my first post, personal growth isn’t achieved overnight; big results come from small but consistent efforts. In this second post, I’ve explored just how critical self-awareness is. Next time, I’ll focus on one of the biggest challenges we can face on this journey: “The Fear of Failure: Friend or Foe?”
Until then, I’ll keep reflecting on myself and looking for those everyday experiences that can teach me something new. Because I must never forget: If I don’t truly know myself, I can’t fully realize my potential for growth.