Self-Analysis and Unveiling Truths with Terry McMullen
Nov 29, 2023
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Terry McMullen, host of the What's the value? podcast, talks about self-analysis and self-awareness. They discuss the challenges of self-analysis, the role of emotions in decision-making, and the impact of self-awareness on efficiency. They also explore the trap of making excuses and wasting time, while exploring values and personal growth.
Self-analysis is crucial for self-awareness and improving productivity, requiring humility, skepticism, and recognizing nothing is absolute.
Engaging in self-analysis can be uncomfortable, but pushing through fear and questioning ourselves is essential for personal growth and self-awareness.
Deep dives
Understanding the importance of self-analysis and self-awareness
In this podcast episode, Terry McMullen discusses the significance of self-analysis and self-awareness. He highlights the value of analyzing oneself to identify areas of improvement and increase productivity. Terry emphasizes the challenge of self-analysis and how it can reveal inconvenient truths about ourselves. He explains that our minds are naturally subjective and finding objective truths can be difficult. Terry suggests that stepping outside ourselves and questioning our beliefs is necessary for self-awareness. He also emphasizes the importance of humility, skepticism, and the recognition that nothing is absolute, which aids in gaining clarity and improving self-awareness.
The difficulty of self-analysis and the fear of discovering unlikable traits
Terry McMullen acknowledges the fear associated with self-analysis and self-awareness. Delving into our own behaviors and beliefs can be scary as we might discover traits or beliefs we dislike. He explains that our minds are wired to protect us, making it challenging to see objective truths. Terry compares self-analysis to trying to see blind spots, something our minds are not naturally designed to see. This discomfort and fear often prevent us from engaging in self-analysis. However, he suggests that pushing through this discomfort and being willing to question ourselves is essential for personal growth and self-awareness.
Revealing blind spots and stepping outside ourselves
Terry McMullen explains that stepping outside ourselves is crucial for self-awareness but acknowledges that the process can be challenging. He suggests that building self-awareness requires practice and starts with humility. Questioning our beliefs, being skeptical, and acknowledging that nothing is absolute lays the foundation for self-awareness. Terry emphasizes the importance of asking oneself how they would know if they had blind spots, highlighting the need to distinguish between speaking one's mind and being rude. He also emphasizes the significance of external inputs and perspectives to gain a clearer understanding of ourselves.
The relationship between self-awareness and productivity
Terry McMullen explores the connection between self-awareness and productivity. He defines productivity as the efficient achievement of goals. He argues that self-awareness provides clarity, allowing individuals to understand the challenges they face and make rational decisions and actions. Terry likens self-awareness to clearing a windshield covered in dirt, allowing individuals to see clearly and navigate their path more effectively. He emphasizes that self-awareness helps individuals make informed decisions, avoid blind spots, and be more efficient in achieving their objectives.
I enjoyed this chat. Terry McMullen is the host of the What's the value? podcast and has spent the last 10 years studying philosophy, cognitive psychology, and social psychology to try and figure out what really makes humans act and behave the way we do.
Terry says "I want to understand at a first principles level why I think what I think and believe what I believe."
So this on the Triple 'T' Productivity Podcast week we're digging into self-analysis and self awareness.
We talk about examining our own behaviour, how to do this and what to do when we find things we don't like.