Chapter 1: The Quest for Self-Awareness

For a long time, internal accountability was not a priority in my life. I often found myself lacking self-awareness, with moments of reflection only arising after heated arguments or deep sadness. In those times, I would criticize myself harshly for my shortcomings. I would contemplate my strengths and weaknesses with the intent to improve, only to revert back to my old patterns.

What I truly needed was a more effective system of internal accountability—one that would facilitate regular self-reflection. Surprisingly, I found this method in an unexpected place.

Jim Collins, primarily known for his insights into business leadership, has a unique approach to fostering self-awareness. By prioritizing personal happiness, Jim has cultivated a fulfilling and productive life. But how did he manage this?

His journey of internal accountability begins with the use of a spreadsheet.

Self-Awareness and Spreadsheets: An Unlikely Pair

A spreadsheet may not be the first tool that comes to mind when considering self-awareness. Typically associated with numbers and calculations, it lacks any built-in introspection templates. Nonetheless, Jim Collins has made it work.

In a conversation with Tim Ferriss, Jim described his method. He tracks his creative hours, aiming for 1,000 hours annually, and maintains both quarterly and half-year averages to stay on track—a concept familiar to those who know his "20-mile march" philosophy.

Jim’s spreadsheet includes two critical columns: one for scoring his daily emotions and another that prompts him to reflect on why he gave that score. The scoring system is straightforward:

• +2: An exceptional day.
• +1: A positive day, but not extraordinary.
• 0: A neutral day—neither good nor bad.
• -1: A day with a negative tone.
• -2: A day you’d rather forget.

The accompanying question, “Why?” helps to explore the reasoning behind the score. For a +2 day, this might stem from a wonderful conversation or a sense of accomplishment, while a neutral day may evoke no strong feelings.

It’s crucial to understand that these scores reflect personal feelings rather than material achievements. Our internal references are rooted in sensory experiences. By translating feelings into values, we gain a clearer perspective, enabling us to identify areas for improvement.

Jim articulated this process: “...you navigate step by step. I want more of the things that create the +2s and less of what leads to -2s. The key is knowing what they are.” Scoring each day provides meaningful insights.

Reflections: A Journey of Self-Discovery

Inspired by Jim, I integrated his scoring method into my own journaling routine. Each night, I assess my day and ask why I assigned that particular score, mirroring Jim's technique. Over the past year and a half, this practice has proven to be enlightening.

Applying filters to my data reveals patterns and recurring themes. On my -2 days, I often notice chaos—unforeseen events disrupt my flow, leaving me feeling reactive and overwhelmed. Conversely, on my best days, I observe a simplicity that I strive to maintain. If I can simplify my life, I can enhance its quality.

I also discovered that I tend to be more optimistic than pessimistic, as very few of my scores fell into the negative range. Yet, I remind myself of the definitions to ensure I remain grounded in reality.

This reflective practice encourages deeper consideration of the emotions each day generates compared to my ideal feelings. This analysis fosters a more objective view of my daily experiences, which often lack rationality.

Self-awareness, as it turns out, goes beyond mere daily events. The dissatisfaction of a poorly-scored day and the joy of a highly-rated one prompt an essential question: How can I increase the number of great days and reduce the bad ones?

The alignment of our actions with our thoughts epitomizes self-awareness. I never anticipated finding this clarity in a spreadsheet. However, the act of scoring my day and understanding the reasoning behind those scores has proven remarkably insightful.

It prevents me from aimlessly drifting through life and sharpens my ability to appreciate the present moment. Thus, the answer is a resounding yes: you can indeed cultivate self-awareness using a spreadsheet.

Discovering Financial Awareness

In the second video, titled Learn to Love Your Financials and Success Will Follow | Build With Rob EP20, viewers are guided through the essential steps of embracing financial literacy and its impact on personal success.