Self
Mastery
The most
important principle I learned this week is self mastery. I have a few thoughts
on it:
What is the
hardest, and maybe, most important challenge that we will face in business and
life? Probably that of conquering oneself.
Even Plato
said: “The first and best victory is to conquer self; to be conquered by self
is, of all things, the most shameful and vile.”
Human
nature leads to excess and vice that destroy the individual and deteriorate
society. The great battle of life is inside of us. It could be waking up early
in the morning in order to work, it can be persevering in learning when we find
ourselves ‘’on the plateau’’, it can be setting and respecting our own moral
boundaries. The truth is that controlling the self is the first step for
success, and one that will continue being developed through the entire life.
How can we
do it?
Let me
suggest a few tips for this:
Know your
reasons. Ask yourself why you want to do something and set goals that motivate you.
It is easier to wake up in the morning when you know why you want to do it.
Set moral
security lines around you. Make a list of those boundaries that you will never
cross.
Be
accountable. Don’t set excuses, look for somebody to help you be accountable
with yourself.
‘’Each day
I examine myself on three counts: whether or not I am loyal to those in whose
behalf I act; whether or not I am trustworthy in my dealings with friends; whether
or not I practice what is imparted’’ Confucius
