It takes a real mental toughness and self-awareness to succeed.

Doing one's duty, however small, in an unattached manner gives rise to the awakening of self-awareness.

a self-awareness moment. All of a sudden everything he has done comes flashing into his mind, a self-criticism that is unbearable.

If somebody doesn't have the self-awareness and self-respect to conduct themselves in a polite and business-like fashion, then that could be an indication of their lack of ability to be a strong performer.

Maria has great inner strength and self-awareness of her ability. In the race, when others are getting down on themselves, Maria has faith in her training and ability.

[Miller, whose profile eerily matches early portraits of Byron, skillfully blends his restless passion and moments of sour self-awareness. Byron is caustic about his future wife from the first, noting that he would] like her more if she were less perfect. ... Could she not find one in Jane Austen?