There is, however, much confusion between self-awareness and self-absorption. The difference between the two is clear to most people, but many folks who proclaim that they are very “self-aware” actually mean to say they are very “self-absorbed.” You want to be self-aware since that will help you be a better person and more successful. You do not want to be self-centered because no one likes that.
So what is the difference? Self-awareness refers to a deep understanding of your wants, needs, thoughts, actions, interests, abilities, values and how all that information is processed and then applied externally. For example, if you are arguing with a friend, you leverage your self-awareness to know when you are losing your ability to control yourself and you stop, take a step back, and gather your thoughts.
Self-absorption is when you take self-awareness, kick it into hyperdrive, and only ever think about yourself, your thoughts, needs, wants, etc.
Michael Sauers is the Director of Logan Library in Logan, UT. Prior to this he was one of the founding staff and Technology Manager for Do Space in Omaha, NE. After earning his MLS in 1995 from the University at Albany's School of Information Science and Policy Michael spent his first 20 years as a librarian training other librarians in technology along with time as a public library trustee, a bookstore manager for a library friends group, a reference librarian, a technology consultant, and a bookseller. He has written dozens of articles for various journals and magazines and has published 14 books ranging from library technology, blogging, Web design, and an index to a popular horror magazine. In his spare time, he blogs at TravelinLibrarian.info, runs The Collector's Guide to Dean Koontz website at CollectingKoontz.com, takes many, many photos, and typically reads more than 100 books a year.
Unless otherwise stated, all opinions are my own and are not to be considered those of the City of Logan, UT.
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