Learning how to use the Johari Window to activate and align your subconscious self with your goals. The Johari window model also teaches you how to check your blindspot in life through objective feedback and grow by incorporating the feedback you receive.

You are made up of your conscious and subconscious minds. Using the Johari Window helps you recognize that your conscious mind is what you are aware of, whereas your subconscious mind—or unconscious mind—is what drives behaviors you weren’t even aware of. However, it is the most potent because the subconscious motivates your conscious actions. As a result, you must cooperate with the subconscious if you want to secure your future. 

What is the Johari Window? How does it help?

The Johari window model was developed by Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham to describe the conscious and unconscious mind. The model establishes four windows to explain the two sides of the conscious and subconscious mind for self-awareness and self-communication. The windows include public, private, unknown, and blind windows. The public and private windows are conscious biases in our lives, while the remaining two are dedicated to the subconscious. 

Here is a quick overview to help you understand the windows.

1. The information in the public or open window is KNOWN to you and others.
2. The private or hidden window contains information that is known to you but unknown to others. 
3. The unknown window contains information that is UNKNOWN to you and others. This window is not relevant. 
4. The blind self, or blindspot, is the information that is KNOWN to others but UNKNOWN to you. 

However, the most important of all these windows – the one that can alter how your 2023 will go is the blind window – or rather, the blind spot. 

What is a blindspot?

It’s important to know how to check your blindspot. Your future self depends on who you are and how much you have achieved based on your judgment. Given that you can only judge yourself based on your efforts and not your performance, giving yourself so much credit is easy. 

As a result, even if you have yet to accomplish much, it would be hard to admit it, given the effort and time you’ve put in. To fully educate yourself about some aspects of yourself, you must delve into what is already known to others but you aren’t aware of yet, aka the blind spot. 

How to check your blindspot window: Seek Feedback

Though there are other factors, feedback is often underestimated. It would help if you asked for feedback because that is the only way to know what is unknown to you and known to others. People are watching, and if you give them the opportunity to speak, you will most likely remain in the blind spot and not improve.

Ask people what they think of your growth or a project you just completed. Remember that feedback is challenging to give, receive, or apply. But feedback will come when you open up a situation where people can be open to you.

How to receive feedback in a constructive manner:

1. Don’t take offense. Look for the applicable parts of the feedback and throw the rest away.
2. Only select people from whom you wish to receive feedback. Open your arms to all, but remember to filter out the ones that are useful to you.
3. Be careful of those who only have positive things to say. While this is good for you, it can sometimes prevent you from receiving good things.

Takeaway: Using the Johari Window to secure your future

You are your most valuable asset. “You” are also counting on yourself. Pay attention to who you are letting pour into you. If you don’t know yourself, some people can pour things into you that you don’t need. 

Receive feedback from anyone willing to give it to you. Take what you are prepared to apply. Only some feedback is relevant, especially if they don’t know you or have yet to work with you. Feedback is a gift, but you can only apply some of it. Give feedback, too; it could allow someone else to open up to you.

We live in a “validation” culture where both grown-ups and millennials are fascinated with seeking validation on social media. While it’s important for us to receive objective feedback, be careful not to seek validation and focus on what you are saying about yourself. Sometimes, the only approval you need is your own. Don’t put too much value on other people’s opinions. Be popular with yourself.