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Why Use It
Observe or
define the change from three different personal perspectives and three
different time frames. Using this matrix will help to more realistically
define and understand any changing situation. Proper understanding leads to
more effective thinking and taking correct actions.
How to Use It
While this template might be difficult to complete, the rewards
of improved understanding are worth the time and effort.
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Step
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Function
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Description
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1
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Describe
the situation
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Briefly describe the changing
situation about which you want a better understanding.
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2
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Re-describe
the situation
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Use these three perspectives
to re-describe the situation for steps 3 to 5 below:
a. As the situation currently exists
b. As the current situation existed in
the past
c. As the current situation might
exist in the future.
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3
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Be
yourself observing yourself
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The objective is to
understand a situation by observing yourself. You do this by imagining you
can leave your body and look back at yourself. If you are in an argument,
for example, pretend you are a fly on the wall observing the argument.
Observe what words you use, your tone of voice, body language, etc.
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4
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Be
someone else observing yourself
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The objective is to
better understand a situation by collecting information about how others
view you. If in an argument, become the person you are arguing with. Try to
see yourself through their eyes. What do you sound like to them or what
might your words and body language mean to them? If you are a parent
arguing with an adolescent, for example, what do you sound and look like in
their eyes? How can their side be correct or valid for them? For you?
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5
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Be
someone else observing them self
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The objective is to
understand a situation through empathy. Using an argument for
example, put yourself into the shoes of the other
person in the argument. You are pretending you are them and trying to
understand what their own words and actions mean. For example, if you are a
parent - how does it feel to be the adolescent with whom you are arguing?
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Personal Awareness &
Understanding Matrix
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Describe the changing situation about which you want to get a
better understanding.
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Be
yourself observing yourself
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Be
someone else observing yourself
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Be
someone else observing them self
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Present
time:
What
does the current situation look like?
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Past
time:
What
did the current situation look like in the past?
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Future
time:
What
might the current situation look like in the future?
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