Stretching Our Open Window

I was at an amazing networking meeting a couple weeks ago, The speaker (a career coach) shared a concept that really resonated with me and I wanted to share it with you. It was called the Johari Window. Imagine it on a grid like this:

1. The OPEN WINDOW

   Things known by both you and others.

This is your visible self. The things you openly share or consistently show.

Maybe you know you’re organized. People know you’re organized. You know you’re funny. Other people know you’re funny.

2. The HIDDEN WINDOW

   Things you know about yourself but keep private.

This is where insecurities, fears, dreams, struggles, or even talents can live.

You might secretly feel lonely. You may want to start something new but fear looking ridiculous. You may care deeply what people think while pretending you don’t.

We all have this space.

3. The BLIND WINDOW

   Things others see about you that you do not see yourself.

This one is fascinating.

Maybe you don’t realize how often you apologize unnecessarily. Maybe you don’t realize people experience you as warm, intimidating, inspiring, anxious, thoughtful, guarded, dependable, funny, disconnected, or safe.

Sometimes our blind spots are hard truths.

Sometimes they’re beautiful truths.

I think many of us are better at seeing our flaws than our strengths, which means we often miss the impact we actually have on people.

4. The UNKNOWN WINDOW

   Things neither you nor others fully know yet.

Potential. Capacity. Future versions of you.

This is the part I love most.

Because so much of life drafting is discovering parts of yourself you haven’t met yet.

The resilient version. The confident version. The boundary-setting version. The version who handles something hard better than expected. The version who finally stops waiting for permission.

You don’t fully know yourself yet because you are still becoming.

And honestly? I think we forget that sometimes.

My big takeaway from this? The "open" window is our comfort zone. Our no-risk, successful, comfy spot. But the more we "listen to" the other 3 windows, the smaller our Open Window becomes. We fall prey to our self-criticisms; we don't look at ourselves fully enough to grow. We hide.

The reason I love this framework is because growth often comes from expanding that “open” window.

We grow through reflection.

Through feedback.

Through vulnerability.

Through experiences.

Through trying things that show us who we are.

Journal Prompts:

• What is something people often compliment you on that I tend to dismiss or overlook?

• What parts of yourself do you work hardest to hide from other people? Why?

• When do you feel most like your authentic self?

• What feedback have you received repeatedly throughout your life—positive or negative?

• What assumptions do you think people make about you? Are they accurate?

• What is one strength you probably underestimate in yourself?

• If you stopped trying to manage everyone else’s perception of you, what might change?

Affirmations:

• I am allowed to keep discovering new parts of myself.

• I do not need to have myself fully figured out to move forward intentionally.

• Awareness creates choice, and choice creates growth.

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Office Hours:  This month Office Hours are on Wednesday, May 20. This is for Editor's Circle Coaching Members as well as any Guided Revision Coaching Members who would like to touch base between scheduled coaching appointments. HERE is the link to schedule a 30-minute slot

The Weekly Draft: happens every Sunday evening at 7pm at this link. Come prepared to reflect on the past week and draft the upcoming week. It is meant to be a heads down, co-planning time, with me being available to share strategies and/or answer questions. Join me HERE