Are you still master of your domain?
Soon or late you will learn that the only thing in life that you have complete control over is yourself and how you react to what comes your way. You cannot control other people’s thoughts, emotions, actions or reaction. Some of your most important time investments in life are made in learning to master.
How?
The definition of success
The first issue you must face is how you define success. This is your own personal definition, not one you have derived from watching someone else. What makes your heart sing? For some it is defined by the externals of life- money, things, power, followers. For some, it is defined by the more intangible qualities like peace, happiness, contentment. In becoming the master of your own domain, the internal changes are the more important of the two, and these internal changes drive the externals.
Reality check
Knowing yourself well is based in reality. It is important for you to spend time and energy on the things that can be controlled, like the present. It is also important to learn to let go of your reactive attitudes like resentment, complaint, blame and just wishful thinking.
Life is about choices
Another important principle behind getting your act together, to become more of what you want to become, is to understand that what happens to and in your life is based on your own choices and not someone else’s. There comes a time in your life when you can no longer blame your heredity, your poor environment, or the people you choose to hang out with as your stumbling blocks. You are your stumbling block! You have to own up to taking responsibility for what has happened in your life. That means then that the choices you make day in and day out, and the actions that you take based on them, are generated in and by your own free will.
You have to begin to understand the weaknesses and strengths of your character. This will increase your ability to change how you think, feel and behave.
Clarity of vision
Having a clear vision of what you want and what you will need to do to achieve it are also principles behind self mastery. After identifying your goals and how you can attain our goals, then it is time to translate them into concrete action. Vision without action is daydreaming. And, the actions you choose should be in line with the values and principles that you have chosen to follow. Let’s cut to the chase today…
Here are some key skills for mastery? What do you still need to work on?
- How to deal with difficult and challenging situations.
- Be able to isolate positive behaviors and feelings and work on them.
- Let go of your negativities, like resentment and blame.
- Gain better understanding of the importance and freedom that comes with increased responsibility.
- Set positive and definitive goals for yourself.
- Be able to clearly identify your principles and values.
- Prioritize what is important to you.
- Deepen your commitment(s).
- Develop self-confidence and improve your self-esteem.
- Accept your imperfection and build on your strengths.
- Feel the connection between yourself and others.
- Cultivate an inquisitive mind.
- Adapt and work with change.
Getting to know yourself better will raise your levels of self-awareness, self-acceptance and self-responsibility. It will help you make a greater contribution and gain more influence through your creative ideas.
Becoming the master of your domain, of yourself, does not happen by accident or overnight. It requires effort, discipline and reinforcement. It also doesn’t hurt to check in with your mentor, coach, and friends to be sure that you don’t get lost in the sea of selfishness and materialism while trying to find yourself.
Mastering your domain will help you see that life is full of opportunities for continuing to expand your vision and skills, until you achieve your most important goals.
Go do it!
Thoughts?
Photo Credit: Bogdan I. Stanciu via Compfight cc
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