The process of self-exploration entails gaining deep understanding of your values, interests and motivations, skills, personality traits, and lifestyle preferences. The objective of self-exploration is to develop self-awareness - that is, understanding who you are, what is important to you, and what you are looking to achieve from your work.

Research shows that individuals who are self-aware make more compatible career choices, perform better and longer in their employment positions, and derive more satisfaction from work. Therefore, it is important that you master the self-exploration process. As you progress through your professional and personal life, your values, interests, skills, and preferences are likely to evolve.

Awareness of self and environment provides the framework that allows you to make career decisions that are right for you - that is, career decisions that provide compatibility between you and your work environment and, in so doing, minimize your risk of making career mistakes.

Exercises

From a career management point of view, it is important to understand your values, interests, skills, personality, and lifestyle preferences. Use the exercises below to explore these topics. If you would like more contect before completing these exercises, download Chapter 3 (PDF) of Career Success: Navigating the New Work Environment.