In our last post, we talked about being intentional. But intentionality without a clear direction is just busywork. To move forward, you have to have a “You Are Here” marker on your professional map.
In “The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth,” John C. Maxwell introduces The Law of Awareness: You must know yourself to grow yourself. This isn’t just about a personality test; it’s about a deep, honest audit of your passions, your abilities, and your current reality. You cannot move toward your potential if you are unaware of the reality of your current position.
The Three Directions of Awareness
Maxwell observes that most people fall into one of three categories. Which one describes you right now?
- The Drifter: You don’t know what you want to do. You are confused and lack a sense of purpose.
- The Frustrated: You know what you want to do, but you aren’t doing it. You are paralyzed by a “Gap” (Fear, Timing, or Knowledge).
- The Fulfilled: You know what you want to do and you are actively doing it. You have found your “sweet spot” and your daily actions are aligned with your vision.
The “Deep-Dive” Discovery
To move into that third category, you have to move past surface-level thoughts. In my workshops and coaching sessions, we use Maxwell’s discovery questions to force a “Self-Reflection” moment:
- Do you like what you are doing now? (Passion)
- What would you like to do? (Aspiration)
- Can you do what you would like to do? (Ability)
- Do you know why you want to do it? (Purpose)
Are You Turning Insight into Action? (A Quick Self-Assessment)
Is your awareness leading to change? Score each statement using the scale below:
| Score | Description |
| 1 | Never / Not at all |
| 2 | Rarely / Needs significant work |
| 3 | Sometimes / Average |
| 4 | Often / Above average |
| 5 | Consistently / A core strength |
- [ ] Honest Reflection: I regularly spend time in quiet self-reflection to evaluate my wins and losses.
- [ ] Strength Alignment: My current daily tasks are aligned with my natural talents at least 70% of the time.
- [ ] Feedback Receptive: I have “truth-tellers” in my life who give me honest feedback on my blind spots.
- [ ] Action Bias: When I realize I need to grow in an area, I immediately identify the first 3 action steps.
- [ ] External Accountability: I have a coach or mentor who holds me accountable to the growth goals I set for myself.
Your Score:
- 20-25: You are a Catalyst. Your awareness is fueled by action.
- 15-19: You are a “Student of Growth.” You have the knowledge, but the follow-through is inconsistent.
- Under 15: You are “Stuck in the Mirror.” It’s time to turn on the lights.
Turning Awareness into Action
Awareness without accountability is just information. It’s one thing to know you have a blind spot; it’s another thing to build a system to compensate for it. When we partner together, we move past “knowing” and into “executing.”
“You must know who you are to grow to your potential. But you must grow in order to know who you are.” — John Maxwell
Today’s Application: The Sweet Spot Audit
Take 5 minutes today to draw three overlapping circles: Passion, Ability, and Opportunity. List 2 items in each circle that represent your current professional life.
- Where do they overlap?
- Where is the disconnect?
Action Step: Ask one trusted colleague or mentor this week: “What is one strength you see in me that I might be underutilizing?” Their answer is your “You Are Here” marker for your next phase of growth.
Partnering on Your Growth Journey
Self-awareness is the flashlight that shows you the path, but it isn’t the shoes that walk it. Here is how we can partner to ensure your insights lead to real-world impact:
- The Growth Mapping Session: A deep-dive 90-minute session to identify your primary “Growth Gap” and build a custom roadmap to bypass it.
- The 3-Month Professional Pivot: A 12-week coaching journey focused on turning self-reflections into daily habits and measurable professional wins.
- The Culture Clarity Workshop: Helping your team move past “surface-level” cooperation into deep, accountable collaboration.
Click here to book a free 30-minute Discovery Call.
Coming Up Next…
Now that you’ve turned the lights on and committed to action, how do you feel about the person in the mirror? Join me for our next post: Shattering Your Professional Performance Ceiling | The Law of the Mirror.
