🧭 Stage 1 – Understanding myself 🪞
Who am I? What can I do? What do I like?
Every person is unique.
Every person has skills, experiences, desires and characteristics that make them special.
But many people hardly ever consciously think about themselves in their everyday lives. They function, react or adapt – without taking the time to really get to know themselves.
However, social competence always begins with oneself.
Only when you understand yourself better can you understand other people better, act more clearly and appear more confident.
This first stage therefore invites you to consciously engage with yourself:
- Who am I?
- What am I good at?
- What do I like to do?
- What makes me who I am?
There are no right or wrong answers.
It’s not about being perfect – it’s about being honest with yourself.
Exercise: My three [3] areas
Take some time and answer the following questions at your leisure.
You can write them down or just think them through for yourself.
1. Who am I?
What characteristics describe you as a person?
For example:
calm, friendly, curious, helpful, creative, reliable …
Write down at least three characteristics that describe you well.
2. What can I do?
What are you good at?
What skills do you have?
These can be big or small things.
For example:
good at listening, organising, repairing, cooking, talking to people, being patient, doing manual work
Write down at least three things you can do.
3. What do I like?
What do you enjoy doing?
What interests you?
What makes you feel comfortable?
For example:
being with people,
making or listening to music,
nature – paying closer attention to your surroundings,
sport – being active,
helping – whoever you can,
learning – as much as necessary,
building – your future,
cooking – there are many variations here,
Write down at least three things you like.
Important for your learning
This programme works best if you take your time.
It is recommended that you do not answer each question immediately one after the other, but rather take a separate day for each area.
This allows your thoughts and feelings to engage with the topic in a calmer manner.
For example:
Day 1 – Who am I?
Day 2 – What can I do?
Day 3 – What do I like?
Your subconscious continues to work between days. Thoughts, memories and experiences connect. This makes your answers clearer and more personal.
It also helps if you can find an inner image or memory for each word or characteristic. Our memory often stores images, situations and feelings more strongly than mere words.
For example, if you write ‘helpful’, think of a specific situation in which you helped someone. If you write ‘calm’, remember a moment when you experienced serenity.
Such inner images anchor your insights more deeply. They help you to understand yourself better and retain what you have learned in the long term.
If you can’t think of any images or pieces of music, ask your friends or, if possible, browse the internet and choose the images that appeal to you most. Do the same with music.
Reflection
If you like, take another look at your answers.
Is there anything that surprises you?
Is there anything you are proud of?
Is there anything you have paid little attention to so far?
These thoughts will help you to perceive yourself more clearly.
In-depth: Discover your strengths
If you would like to identify your personal strengths in even greater detail, you can also use the NADEUM programme
‘Recognise your strengths – step by step’
This programme helps you to become even more aware of and understand your abilities and characteristics.
👉 https://www.nadeum-wiko.eu/en/p002-recognize-your-strengths-step-by-step/
You can use it at any time in addition to this level.
Learning together (recommended)
This exercise can also be done very well in small groups.
For example, with friends, in a study group or in a community.
Each person presents their answers.
The others are allowed to add what they perceive as positive about that person.
Often, other people see strengths in us that we ourselves have not yet recognised.
The aim of this stage
You begin to perceive yourself more consciously.
You recognise your first personal characteristics, abilities and interests.
You develop an initial sense of what makes you who you are.
This is the basis for all further stages.
When you are ready, proceed to:
“Step 2 – Recognising feelings”
What am I feeling? Why am I feeling this way?
🌟 Completion of Level 1 – You’ve made an important start
- You’ve completed Level 1 – Understanding Myself. This is the first and perhaps most important step in any personal development journey.
- You’ve taken the time to reflect on yourself: who you are. What you’re capable of. What you like.
- That sounds simple, but it’s unfamiliar to many people. In doing so, you’ve done something that takes courage: being honest with yourself.
That deserves recognition.
🌿 Why you need a break now
Your brain keeps working, even when you’re not actively practising. Especially with Level 1 – which has so much to do with identity, memories and self-image – a break is particularly valuable.
A break of at least 3 days will help you:
let your answers sink in
allow new thoughts to emerge
become more aware of yourself in everyday life
discover little ‘aha’ moments
- This break isn’t a standstill. It’s part of the learning process.
- Give yourself this time. You’ll notice how things start to sort themselves out and become clearer within you.
🧠 Reflection for the break
Over the next few days, you can take a few quiet moments and ask yourself:
Which of my answers surprised me?
Which trait or ability feels particularly important?
Which things might I like more than I previously thought?
You don’t have to change anything.
You just need to observe.
💪 Your motivation for the next step
If, after a few days, you feel that Stage 1 has sunk in, then you’re ready to move on.
And the next step takes you deeper:
💓 Stage 2 – Recognising feelings 🎭
What am I feeling?
Why do I feel this way?
How can I understand my feelings better?
Those who know themselves can perceive their feelings more clearly.
And those who understand their feelings can shape their lives more consciously.
You’re ready for this journey. Step by step. At your own pace.
When you are ready, proceed to:
“Step 2 – Recognising feelings”
What am I feeling? Why am I feeling this way?