Getting to Know Yourself

A cover page
An introductory paragraph that begins with a hook that grabs your readers’ attention and ends with your thesis statement, as described above
Two body paragraphs that each begin with a topic sentences that focuses on one of the two items in your thesis and includes details such as examples, descriptions, and explanations that support your main idea
In at least one paragraph, a quotation from the reading that helps to present an idea you want to establish (You will introduce the quotation by identifying the name of the author(s) and the title of the reading, and you will provide an in-text citation.)
A concluding paragraph that reemphasizes your main idea and draws the essay to a close
A reference page

This is the text

Getting to Know Yourself, Finally
By J. D. Moyer

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“Self-knowledge” has a pretentious ring to it, but it’s really a down-to-earth concept. Do you know yourself? Do you understand what makes you tick? Do you have some grip on what’s important to you? Are you aware of your likes and dislikes?

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Self-knowledge comes to people at different stages in life. Some ten-year-olds know, unwaveringly, exactly who they are and what they want to do in life. Other people die old and regretful, always living other people’s agendas and never grabbing what they wanted out of life for themselves.

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It can be disruptive to look inward. When you turn a spotlight on your own values, desires, and sense of purpose, that can create cognitive dissonance with the current reality of your life. You might end up quitting a job, ending a friendship, or moving to a different city. Or you might reaffirm existing aspects of your life and “double down” on what makes you happy.

cognitive dissonance: a feeling of discomfort that comes from holding contradictory beliefs. For example, imagine a doctor who spends her days counseling patients about the dangers of smoking—and who truly believes smoking is bad—but is addicted to smoking herself. Her beliefs about smoking contradict her actions and might cause mental discomfort.

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The process itself can be emotionally exhausting and mentally difficult. It’s hard to “zoom out” and think about your life in the abstract. On the other hand it’s also simple. What’s working? What isn’t? What makes you happy? What makes you crazy?

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The dividends of investing in active self-knowledge are enormous. To live your life “on purpose” instead of by inertia means more happiness, more clarity, better health, and better relationships.

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It also means a better world. When you encounter social systems and structures that conflict with your values and purpose, and you know what your values and purpose are, there will be heat and friction. You’ll resist. Millions of individuals resisting adds up to social change.

So where do you start?

The Self-Knowledge Blueprint
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There are a multitude of practices that might lead to increased self-knowledge, including meditation, cognitive therapy, and journaling. In this post I’ll look at a very direct approach—grappling directly with questions of purpose, values, and ethics.

The question

What is my life purpose?

What are my personal values? Friendship? Family? Learning? Service?

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What are my societal values? What’s most important, to you, on a societal or civic level? Scientific research? Public health? Education? Protecting the environment?

What is my personal code of ethics? Under what conditions would you ever lie, steal, cheat, or kill? Never? To protect your family? To increase your personal wealth?

What are my heart-driven action priorities? What is your heart telling you is most important to do in life?

What daily practices work for me, bringing me energy and happiness? Meditation? Writing? Running? Keeping a clean house?

What situations or activities have I tried enough times to know I should just avoid them? Crowds? Musicals? Martinis? Tennis?

you will only choose 2 out of 7

If you choose “Getting to Know Yourself, Finally,” the thesis statement for your essay will identify two of the seven questions the writer poses that are meaningful to you. You will then answer each question in two separate body paragraphs that share your insights.

each questions have multiple questions

1-An introductory paragraph that begins with a hook that grabs your readers’ attention and ends with your thesis statement, as described above

2- Two body paragraphs that each begin with a topic sentences that focuses on one of the two items in your thesis and includes details such as examples, descriptions, and explanations that support your main idea
In at least one paragraph, a quotation from the reading that helps to present an idea you want to establish (You will introduce the quotation by identifying the name of the author(s) and the title of the reading, and you will provide an in-text citation.)
A concluding paragraph that reemphasizes your main idea and draws the essay to a close
A reference page