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How To Use Self-Mastery To Actualize Your Inner Potential

Lily Millington · February 27, 2019 · Leave a Comment

full potential

image via udemycoupons24

How would your life change if all of your choices were conscious? Can self-mastery help you to access your full potential?

Yes, it can.

However, this makes all the difference:

You have all of the tools for self-mastery within yourself.

"The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame.

epictetus

image via wikipedia

-Epictetus

Self-Mastery: The Key To Meeting The Best Version Of You

Before we can define self-mastery, we need to talk about what mastery means.

Mastery is defined as being highly proficient or skilled in one or more areas of your life.

Therefore, self-mastery literally means being the master of your self.

“Most powerful is he who has himself in his own power.”

seneca

image via wikipedia

-Seneca

What controls you? Your impulsive whims and wants? Or do you make decisions about how you do everything at a higher level?

Self-mastery is the art of taking full responsibility for yourself and for your own life.

Fun fact:

No one is born knowing self-mastery. It can be taught and you can learn it.

Arête

A key component of self-mastery is arête, an ancient Greek word that means virtue, or more often, excellence.

Pro tip:

Arête is the art of personal excellence and the highest quality of everything you do or experience.

"Arête implies a respect of the wholeness or oneness of life, and a consequent dislike of specialization. it implies a contempt for efficiency — or rather a much higher idea of efficiency, an efficiency which exists not in one department of life but in life itself.”

robert m pirsig

image via wikipedia

-Robert M. Pirsig

Simply stated:

Give 

100%

to every single thing that you do, when you're doing it.

Whether you're working out or writing or speaking, do your personal best.

 

Pro tip:

Don't consume anything that's not of the highest quality, whether it's your food or the books you read.

​Homeostasis And The Psychology Of Self-mastery: Wait, What?

That was a mouthful -- here's what it means:

Have you ever been in a situation in which you actually feared success? Consciously or subconsciously, most people have experienced this.

"He has not learned the first lesson in life who does not every day surmount a fear."

ralph waldo emerson

image via wikipedia

-Ralph Waldo Emerson


As defined by Dictionary.com (the 2nd definition, Psychology), homeostasis is:

A state of psychological equilibrium obtained when tension or a drive has been reduced or eliminated. 

Fun fact:

Our internal bodily systems are designed to maintain stable homeostasis. Biologically, we are geared towards staying with what is comfortable and known.

Basically, when you find a regulated and secure balance. Homeostasis is a GOOD thing. We want our bodily systems to be precisely regulated.

Pro tip:

Being aware of our biological tendencies to maintain homeostasis will help us to switch it off when it's stifling our growth.

Change of any kind, whether positive or negative, takes us out of our comfort zone.

Put another way:

It jacks with our homeostasis.

“There’s a tremendous bias against taking risks. Everyone is trying to optimize their ass-covering.”

elon musk

image via wikipedia

-Elon Musk

Growth and safety

Abraham Maslow, in his book "Toward a Psychology of Being," explained that two powerful sets of forces drive the human condition:

The drive for growth and the opposing force, the drive for safety.

While these two drives both served mankind well in prehistoric times, the opposing force, safety, often holds us back in realizing our full potential in our modern world.

What that means:

The drive for safety will keep us clinging to the past and fearing change. This inherently causes us to miss out on opportunities for growth. And even opportunities for failure. Failure is a big part of learning.

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."

thomas edison

image via wikipedia

-Thomas Edison

The fact is:

Growth can bring pain.

Every step we take forward can lead us into unfamiliar territory. Furthermore, with every step forward, we give up something that's familiar and often satisfying.

Fun fact:

If you're not a little bit afraid, you're not growing.

10 Ways You Will Benefit From Self-Mastery

Fun and creative expression

Greater vitality and health

Fulfilling and happy relationships

Character development and strength

A sense of purpose, meaning, and value

Financial independence and security

Personal peace and contentment

Feeling of accomplishment

Meaningful and enjoyable career

Stress-free productivity

“The happiness of a man in this life does not consist in the absence but in the mastery of his passions.”

alfred lord tennyson

image via wikipedia

-Alfred, Lord Tennyson

4 Core Steps To Self-Mastery

These four steps are fluid, meaning that they don't happen necessarily in this precise order.

Awareness

awareness

When we say to be aware, what we mean specifically is this:

Be physically present and aware in everything you do.

Broken down:

Whatever you're doing, do that. If you feel your mind wandering, gently direct it back to NOW.

Focus on the task at hand, whether it's talking to your mom or working on a project at your job.

Humility and acceptance

humility and acceptance

Here's the deal:

You're a lowly but powerful human being with unlimited potential.

So is everyone else.

Pro tip:

If you're going to master yourself, one of the first things you need to do is check your ego at the door. Approach all things with a beginner's mind.

Most of us are not incredibly unique, and we're only as special as we make ourselves.

Author Tim Ferris interviewed legendary ex-Navy SEAL Jocko Willink for his book, Tools of Titans. Ferriss asked Willink "What makes a good commander?"

Here is how Willink responded:

"The immediate answer that comes to mind is humility. Because you've got to be humble and you've got to be coachable."

jocko willink

image via wikipedia

-Jocko Willink

A big step on your journey to self-mastery is being humble enough to accept the fact you're no better than anyone else.

But here's the best part:

You're also no worse than anyone else.

Pro tip:

Every human being on the planet has 24 hours in a day, and 365 days in a year.

Bill Gates has 24 hours in a day. Oprah Winfrey has 24 hours in a day. What are you doing with your 24 hours? No more excuses.

Choose wisely

choose wisely

As we mentioned earlier when talking about arête, be discerning in all that you do. To discern means to "choose wisely."

You are your choices.

“In the end we are our choices. Build yourself a great story.”

jeff bezos

image via wikipedia

-Jeff Bezos


Every single choice you make, regardless of how small or seemingly unimportant, has a consequence, either positive or negative.

The unconscious choice is your enemy.

Focus and execution

focus and execution

via GIPHY

Once you're self-aware and have made your conscious choices, the hard part starts:

Focus and execution.

"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do."

johann wolfgang von goethe

image via wikipedia

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Execution is having the courage to act on the decisions and choices you make.

Being focused requires you to stay alert, mature, and unemotional as you complete the tasks you've consciously chosen to do.

Pro tip:

You will eventually become so good at whatever you're learning to do that you'll begin to do it unconsciously and it becomes easier.

The Journey To Self-Mastery

You won't get much done until your base needs are met.

In 1943, American psychologist Abraham Maslow presented the idea that human beings have a specific set of needs that must be met in a prescribed order.

Maslow's "Hierarchy of Needs" is presented as a pyramid as seen in the diagram below.

pyramid of self mastery

Image via zazzle

By Maslow's theory, a person has a difficult time moving to a higher level of needs unless the needs outlined in the previous layer have been met.

For example, if you lack food, sleep, and water, you're not likely concerned (at the moment) with achievement and self-esteem.

Likewise, if you don't feel safe physically, you probably aren't in good mental place for self-actualizing.

Maslow's theory

According to Maslow's theory, when our "deficiency needs" (the needs on the bottom four levels of the pyramid) aren't being met, we feel that something is missing in our lives.

The good news?

Once these needs are gratified, we can shift our attention to our growth needs.

Pro tip:

While not a precise science, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs may give you a good guide to what may be holding you back from getting to self-actualization.

10 Secrets For Developing Self-Mastery And Peak Performance

The road to self-mastery has a lot of hills and valleys. Also, more than a few hazardous roads!

But these tips will help you navigate more effectively.

Stop multitasking (don't roll your eyes!)

Research has shown that it's counterproductive. Whatever you're doing, give that task your full attention.

It may seem impossible not to multitask, but when you choose to focus instead you benefit.

Double-click your mouse before making any choice or decision

One study indicated that giving the brain the time it needs — exactly 120 milliseconds, about the time it takes to double-click your mouse — to focus on something will optimize your decision-making.

"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom."
Stephen Covey

Rephrase your questions

questions

Image: Questions by Nick YoungsonCC BY-SA 3.0Alpha Stock Images via Blue Diamond Gallery

Renowned life coach Tony Robbins says "questions are the answers."

If you ask yourself "why am I such a loser?" when you fall short of a goal...

...your brain will supply you with an answer.

Here's a shocking truth:

If you rephrase your question to "what can I learn from this?" your brain will also give you an answer.

Your brain will respond to however it's addressed. In kind. Control the responses.

Learn to say "no" respectfully

woman no self mastery

Image: Pixabay Licence, geralt, via Pixabay

Most humans are innately geared to want to help and please.

However, saying "yes" to things that will steal your time is one of the most troublesome barriers to self-mastery.

You already know when you need to say yes and when you need to say no. However, the trick is mastering the respectful "no."

Pro tip:

Don't offer a bunch of excuses. A simple "I'm sorry, but I can't" will suffice.

Get enough sleep

Your sleep needs will vary, but most adults need between six to eight hours of sleep per night.

If you frequently get less than your personal optimal amount of sleep, your performance will lag.

Pro tip:

Any gain you think you're making by sleeping less will be lost in fatigue and mistakes.

Detach yourself from the past

No matter how great (or not) your past may be, you won't move forward until you let go of it. The best time to begin self-mastery was yesterday.

The second best time is now.

"This is how you grow. You step into chaos and create simplicity and knowingness."
-Benjamin Hardy, Thrive Global

Make conscious choices

Do you ever make unconscious choices? Most of us do.

Consider this:

Do you automatically take the elevator?

How about mindlessly opening your Facebook app when you pick up your phone?

Neither one of those is necessarily a bad thing, as long as you're consciously choosing to do them.

Pro tip:

Monitor your thoughts and habits and be sure that you're conscious of the choices you make.

Accept resistance...and expect to backslide

Your mind and body are going to occasionally rebel against your growth.

If you're a human being, you're going to have lazy days and hazy days.

Pro tip:

However, be accepting of your resistance. Guilt and shame are a waste of time and will delay your progress.

Life throws punches at you, and it's easy to just sit back and avoid the punches. But you're a fighter and fighters roll with the punches.

Watch this motivational speech from Rocky Balboa to his son.


Start in moderation

When we get excited about change (after we get over the hump of initial fear, that is), it's tempting to be enthusiastic and gung-ho.

However, start small and work your way up to grander goals.

It's better to enjoy small victories than to expect too much of yourself early on and experience disappointment.

Pro tip:

Keep in mind that long-term self-mastery isn't a sprint. It's a marathon.

Say affirmations

Find your mantra or affirmation and say it at least twice a day. Once right before bed, and once when you wake up.

"What mantra?," you may be asking.

Something as simple as "I will be successful today" can be hugely effective.

“It’s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.”

muhammad ali

image via wikipedia

-Muhammad Ali

Habits And Self-Mastery

Self-mastery isn't something that you just achieve because you want to. It happens because of hundreds and thousands of small decisions you make every day of your life.

Make the conscious decisions that will improve your life: turn the page in the book, choose the stairs, choose to say a respectful no. Then learn to hack your habits

"Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve."

benjamin franklin

image via wikipedia

-Benjamin Franklin


4 Secrets To Hacking Your Environment For Changing Your Habits

In Atomic Habits, James Clear puts a lot of emphasis on the fact that very disciplined people don't necessarily have that much more willpower than the average person has.

However, what they're very good at is controlling their environment.

You can master yourself more easily if you hack your environment.

1. Remove distractions

This means smartphone notifications, reminders (except those that are essential to your self-mastery journey), alerts, etc...

Put your phone on "do not disturb" and leave it there most of the time. Add the important people in your life to your "Favorites" so that their calls come through.

2. Make it difficult to indulge in habits you're trying to break

No kidding, when you are on auto-pilot and not making conscious decisions, simply forcing yourself to overcome an inconvenience may be what you need to hit your goal.

Here are some examples:

  • If you know you can't resist that chocolate bar, simply don't have chocolate in the house.
  • If you want to abstain from alcohol, only bring home a bottle of wine when you're entertaining.
  • Are you trying to watch less TV? Remove the batteries from the remote.
  • Trying to limit social media? Log out, and set your account to require your password every time.

Increase the number of steps between you and your bad habits.

Pro tip:

What you need to do to keep your promises to yourself and commit to your positive habits is to increase the friction between you and the bad habit.

3. Make it easy to stick to the habits you're trying to make

On the other hand, when it comes to developing your new positive habits...

make it easy.

Prime your environment

image via Canva

Pro tip:

Reduce the friction between you and your new positive habits.

4. Make it impossible to hit the snooze button

First of all, when you hit the snooze button for that extra bit of sleep, it's not quality sleep.

Second, have you done the math?

If you snooze 10 minutes a day, five days per week, that is 2,600 minutes a year, or roughly 43 hours a year that you're wasting snoozing.

Mind.Blown.

That's like gaining an extra week's vacation every year.

What could you do with an extra week in every year of your life?

Therefore, put your phone across the room if you use your phone as an alarm. Even better:

Buy an actual real alarm clock that you have to get up to turn off.

Pro tip:

You'll never feel better after sleeping an extra 10 minutes, but you'll feel lots better after working out or enjoying some quality reading time.

8 Self-Mastery Secrets Of CEOs And Leaders

A group of Duke University researchers administered psychometric tests to U.S. CEOs and senior executives to determine this:

Do CEOs differ from non-CEOs in terms of underlying attitudes?

The answer:

Yes, CEOs differ significantly from laypeople and even from Chief Financial Officers.

  • Only 9.8 percent of CEOs are risk-averse
  • CEOs tend to be tolerant of calculated risks
  • 80 percent of CEOs are very optimistic and proactive

Here are some of the self-mastery secrets of CEOs and leaders.

1. CEOs and leaders get adequate sleep

Sleep needs differ by individuals, but most adults need between six to eight hours of sleep per night.

Although there are individuals who need slightly less, very few people can function well on chronic inadequate sleep.

An infographic from Forbes shows the sleep habits of 21 highly successful people, including Barack Obama, Benjamin Franklin, Richard Branson, Bill Gates and more.

Here is how much sleep they get every night:

32%

sleep 5-6 hours per night

27%

sleep 7-8 hours per night

27%

sleep 6-7 hours per night

14%

sleep 4-5 hours per night

The times they go to bed vary widely, and that seems to be much less important than the number of hours of sleep.

Pro tip:

Albert Einstein needed 10 hours of sleep per night.

2. They meditate, pray, or reflect

In "Tools of Titans," Tim Ferriss noted that more than 80 percent of the people he interviewed for the book practice some form of daily meditation or mindfulness practice.

3. Most of them get up early

Richard Branson goes to bed at midnight, and Winston Churchill famously went to bed at about 3:00 a.m. (and slept until 8:00 a.m.).

They're not the norm, though:

Most of the successful people we studied go to bed early enough to get up at a decent hour. None of them are sleeping until noon, at least not on a regular basis.

3. They read. A lot

Wildly successful people tend to be readers.

In fact, author Tom Cor​​ley (referenced in point number five below) said that 88 percent of the successful people he studied read 30 minutes or more per day.

Shark Tank star and owner of the Dallas Mavericks Marc Cuban reads three hours a day. Microsoft founder Bill Gates reads for an hour at bedtime.

The great thing is, with e-readers and audiobooks, there's no excuse to not get some reading in. Find the style that works for you, and just do it.

4. They check email only once or twice a day

In The 4-Hour Work Week, Tim Ferriss, who interviews famous business leaders from all over the world, suggests checking email twice a day.

Constantly checking email is a time suck.

5. Successful people give back

In "Wealthy Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals," author Tom Corley says that 73 percent of the 233 successful people he studied for five years volunteer more than five hours per month.

Surprised yet?

6. Productive CEOs eat the frogs and expect others to do the same

The term "eating the frog" refers to the unpleasant tasks that no one wants to do.

Well, someone has to do them...

and successful people don't shy away from eating the frogs. Furthermore, they won't tolerate others who think they're too good to follow suit.

"If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And If it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first."

mark twain

image via wikipedia

-Mark Twain


7. They do boring stuff uncommonly well

"Whether it is making your bed daily, or sending out a thank you note to a return customer, when you do the boring stuff uncommonly well you'll be head and shoulders above your competition."

jake crandall

image via  thetulsavoice.com, by Freddie Robles

-Jake Crandall

8. The Steve Jobs question

Apple founder Steve Jobs famously asked himself this question every morning:

"'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?' If the Answer is 'no' for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something."

steve jobs

image via wikipedia

-Steve Jobs

5 Bulletproof Strategies For Meeting Your Goals

Setting goals is the easy part. However, it's not so easy to actually stick with your goals.

Here's what works:

1. Surround yourself with winners

On your journey to self-mastery, you are going to have to detach yourself from some of the undisciplined people in your life.

Of course, you won't be able to (and won't want to) cut off everyone you know who lacks the discipline you're striving for, but whoever you spend most of your time with is who you'll become.

Don't join the easy crowd.

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

jim rohn

image via wikipedia

-Jim Rohn

2. Focus on one goal at a time

Author James Clear suggests that when you need to make progress on a goal, it helps to "press pause" on less important goals to get the urgent one done. Essentially, your goals are all competing against each other for your time and attention.

3. Choose a strategy for prioritizing your goals

There are a number of different time-tested methods you can use to prioritize your goals.

Here are some of the most popular, and the ones recommended by James Clear:

  • Warren Buffett's 25-5 Rule
  • The Ivy Lee Method
  • The 20 Slot Rule
  • The Eisenhower Box
  • The Myth of Multitasking

Here is a diagram that shows The Eisenhower Matrix, which is very similar to Stephen Covey's four quadrants.

eisenhower matrix

image via jamesclear

4. Set goals that motivate you

A lot of success in reaching goals has to do with the language you use.

Speaking frankly:

Perhaps "lose 10 pounds" isn't motivating, but "buy a new dress next month in one size smaller" might be. Same goal, different language.

Another example could be this:

Instead of setting a goal to "read more," ...

how about "read a Harry Potter book so I can discuss it with my (son/daughter/niece/nephew)."

“He who has a Why to live for can bear almost any How.”

nietzsche

image via wikipedia

-Nietzsche


5. Eat an elephant

How do you eat an elephant?

One bite at a time.

If you have a task to complete that seems overwhelming, break it up into small chunks and make slow, steady progress. Set aside a time each day (or weekend) to work on that task.

Morning Routines Of Wildly Successful People

Morning Routines of Wildly Successful People

image via Canva

Bedtime Routines Of Wildly Successful People

Please use this verbiage:

  • Unplug an hour before bed. Turn off all electronics an hour before bed.
  • Make your to-do list for the next day. Focus on three things you'd like to get accomplished.
  • Sleep in a cool room. Studies show that people sleep better in cool rooms. (Source: Dr. Christopher Winter, M.D., via HuffPost)
  • Set an alarm you won't hate waking up to. There are so many alarm options now that you don't have to wake up to a soul-jarring screaming alarm.
  • Keep your phone as far away from you as possible. If you have to take your phone to bed, don't sleep with it under your pillow. Put it on a side table or in a drawer.
  • Take a series of soothing, deep breaths. Whether you meditate or just practice deep breathing, doing this before bed is soothing and relaxing.
  • Do a brain dump. Get everything out of your brain and into your notes or journal so that it's not swimming around in your head all night.

The Top Resources for Self-Mastery

There are so many great resources for achieving self-mastery, building (and breaking) habits, and setting goals. However, we've pulled together a list of the best of the best.

The 18 best books ever written on self-mastery, habits, and goal setting

atomic habits
mastery
7 habits of highly effective people book cover
awaken the giant within book cover
check online
check online
check online
check online
the willpower instinct cover
smart goals
slight edge cover
the compound effect cover
check online
check online
check online
check online
drive book cover
the one thing cover
the power of habit
mindset book cover
check online
check online
check online
check online
high performance habits
mini habits cover
getting things done
tools of titans book cover
check online
check online
check online
check online
jonathan livingston seagull book cover
mans search for meaning cover
check online
check online

26 self-mastery and habits blogs you need to start following today

  • Live Bold and Bloom
  • Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life
  • The Tim Ferriss Blog
  • Zen Habits
  • Marc & Angel Hack Life
  • Project Life Mastery
  • Develop Good Habits
  • Bold & Determined
  • Personal Excellence
  • Addicted to Success
  • Finer Minds
  • Chris Guillebeau
  • Benjamin Steele
  • The Quintessential Mind
  • Barking Up The Wrong Tree
  • Scott Young
  • Dumb Little Man
  • Asian Efficiency
  • Early to Rise
  • Your Dost
  • Robin Sharma
  • Success Grid
  • James Clear
  • Mark Manson
  • Farnam Street
  • Stephen Guise

14 podcasts and video channels for learning self-mastery

  • SimpleSelfMastery podcast
  • Project Life Mastery YouTube channel
  • Bold & Determined podcast
  • Addicted to Success podcast
  • Optimal Living Daily podcast
  • Gretchen Rubin podcast
  • The Ben Steele Show podcast
  • Asian Efficiency YouTube channel
  • Asian Efficiency podcast
  • The Mastery Sessions podcast
  • Robin Sharma YouTube channel
  •  SuccessGrid TV
  • Mark Manson Audio
  • The Knowledge Project podcast

8 apps that will help master yourself and your goals

All of these apps sync with multiple devices so that your habits and goals travel with you wherever you are.

  • ToDoist: Make lists and prioritize tasks to make sure your time is going exactly where you need it to go.
  • Coach.me: Track your habits and get coaching from other members of the Coach.me community.
  •  Trello: Lay out your goals and steps in an organized and visual way.
  • IFTTT: Anything you can automate, you should automate. This frees up time that you can be put to use elsewhere. IFTTT is the best tool in the world for that.

Pro tip:

Be productive. Not busy. Know the difference. Busy-ness can use up a lot of your valuable time.

  • DayOneApp: Use this to journal, but you can also automate lots of stuff you'd like to journal, like places you visit.
  • Evernote: Keep track of all of your notes, receipts, random thoughts, writing, photos, documents, and more, all in one place.
  • MyFitnessPal: Track your fitness and healthy food goals and progress.
  • Headspace: This app teaches you how to meditate, and also helps you with sleep.

Pro tip:

Give some well-reviewed apps a trial run. Then, narrow it down to a few that meet all of your needs. Don't get too crazy with tons of apps. They can be a huge time suck.

The Good News And The Bad News About Self-Mastery

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

winston  churchill

image via wikipedia

-Winston Churchill

You're never going to reach a point where you're "done." That's because self-mastery is a journey, not a destination.

However, I promised you some good news, too, and here it is:

The journey never gets boring.

The 1,000th day of self-mastery is as rewarding and satisfying as the first day of self-mastery.

“There is a point at which everything becomes simple and there is no longer any question of choice, because all you have staked will be lost if you look back. Life’s point of no return.”

dag hammarskjold

image via wikipedia

-Dag Hammarskjold

Now that is exciting! Enjoy the journey!

taking off

What are healthy questions you ask yourself to get positive answers? Let us know down in the comments!

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