Clarity about the self-image.

Thanks to the awareness wheel.

The awareness wheel is a feedback model that enables us to gain clarity about our self-image. If we look at a situation that we experienced a long or short time ago according to this model, we can recognize a wide variety of things. The wheel of consciousness is perfect for guiding group processes. However, it can also be used by individuals in individual situations to create "awareness".

Perceptions and interpretations trigger feelings

The wheel of consciousness shows:

• What our senses perceive.
• How we interpret the data provided by our senses.
• What feelings (including physical ones) are triggered in us.
• What intentions, wishes or goals we have for ourselves or others.
• What past or current actions have resulted from this and what future actions we should take.

The perception

• We feel something with our hands.
• We smell something with our nose.
• We see something with our eyes.
• We taste something in our mouth.
• We hear something with our ears.

If we use the wheel of consciousness and communicate this to each other, we can experience that perceptions are often confused with interpretations. For example, we say to someone: "You're aggressive!". All we have perceived is a loud voice.

The difference between perception and interpretation

I see that you are smiling = perception
You look sad = interpretation
I notice that you are clenching your fist = perception
You are not listening to me = interpretation
I heard you say: "That's not possible!" = Perception
You always reject everything = Interpretation

Interpretation
What we perceive is usually analyzed and interpreted. The result of this interpretation often degenerates into an accusation or an insinuation. For example: "You don't care what I say!" is an accusation that usually leads to an escalation. Did I really notice that? Perhaps I saw that the person I was talking to wasn't looking at me and was yawning while I was speaking. So if I want to give him feedback, I could also say to him: "I can see that you're yawning and not looking at me. I'm just wondering if you're listening to me."

Feelings
If we get annoyed when talking to others, it is often because we have interpreted them beforehand. The perception of feelings is not required in everyday business life and is therefore suppressed. If we pay more attention to the cues our body gives us, we can perceive ourselves and others better and communicate our feelings more effectively.

Intention
Intentions are what we want or want to do. They can be pleasant or unpleasant and are sometimes difficult to determine. If we recognize our intentions ourselves and then communicate them, many difficulties will resolve themselves. This is because intentions are often the solution to problems. Many people have already experienced that we have intentions in relationships. Most of the time we don't talk about them, but we expect our partner to fulfill them. How else can you explain accusations that are uttered in disappointment: "How long have you actually known me?" "You should know that..." So let's communicate our intentions and wishes so that they can lead to action.

Actions
The action area of the awareness wheel includes what we are currently doing, what we have just done or have done in the past and what we will do in the future.

The wheel of consciousness in practice

You can use the wheel of consciousness to analyze a situation on your own or use the model in dialogue with other people and practice it in this way:

• Create "awareness" for yourself by using all the steps to analyze a situation.
• Communicate with your conversation partner by using all the steps.

You can use the awareness wheel to intervene in a group and resolve a blocked situation.

• In verbal form (flashlight). As the facilitator, you give the group all or selected steps of the awareness wheel: Perceptions, interpretations, intentions. Each group member (including you) says one sentence about each step. As a rule, most participants will express constructive intentions and wish to continue working. In most cases, the conflict parties will agree to this wish.
• In written form (moderation on the pin board). As the facilitator, you visualize all or selected steps of the awareness wheel in column form as headings on the pin board for the group. Formulate these headings as questions.
  * What did I notice?
  * How do I interpret this, how do I interpret it? How do I feel about it?
  * What do I wish for now?
  * What concrete action(s) do I suggest?

Each group member (including the moderator) answers the headings with cards (limit the number of cards if necessary) and pins the cards under the headings. From the last two steps (intentions and actions), it is now easier to reach an agreement with the group on how to proceed.

Have your employees consciously go through the 5 cards
Place the cards for each step on the floor and then have the participants literally go through the 5 cards. By going through the cards and consciously discussing the process, a strong perception is created: the model is actively experienced and practiced through its application.