Self Mastery is the cornerstone of all achievement. I think this says it best and Buddha certainly captured the scope of the impact that Self Mastery has on the person and the world around him. I could write for days on the subject of Self Mastery and many others have done just that. For the sake of this article let it be understood that Self Mastery is synonymous with Self Discipline.
In bodybuilding there is a saying, “When Motivation Runs Out then Discipline Must Take Over.” While we are digging deep to win the trophy there will be times when we just do not have the stomach to go into the gym and pound away at the weights. There will be other times when we are distracted and other things in our lives are encroaching on our training time. It is here that we have to see where we are going and focus on today and the tasks at hand to keep moving. We have to, by sheer will, carve out time to workout. Emotionally, we may be someplace else but we have to use personal discipline to bring our attention back to today’s effort.
Self Mastery has to cause us to do the priority items first and to do them well. Self Mastery also has to cause us to NOT DO things that are not priority and that could actually hurt us. Sometimes we have to get rid of friends and others who influence us to do things that are bad. This move to dump friends who are bad is a real challenge for all of us because none of us wants to lose friends. Once we have worked out, we return to our normal hectic lives. If you have a family then they come first and sometimes working out must go by the wayside, but if a family crisis is not in the offing then sticking to the regimen is paramount.
Here are four principles that I follow each day:
1.) I do not miss workouts
2.) I do not talk during training
3.) I work harder and longer than anybody else in this gym
4.) . When I leave the gym I can honestly say to myself that I’ve worked so hard that I “OWN” this gym
Self Mastery is the name of the game because nobody is going to do the work for us. Nobody is going to suffer the consequences of not training hard or well. Nobody is going to give me or you anything. It all has to be earned!
In closing. Drive yourself as hard as you can with an eye toward the prize. Wherever you are weak, get help and then do the work to correct the weakness. Nobody should have to remind you to get up and get going.
Here are some practical things to do to get started each morning:
1.) Set your alarm.
2.) Have your wife wake you up.
3.) Set your workout clothes out the night before.
4.) Prepare your food the night before.
5.) Get a training partner to whom you can be accountable
6.) Ultimately, get a coach that can keep you on track and focused on bigger and better goals
We chose this life and its up to us to capitalize on our strengths and correct our weaknesses.
Until next time. I remain, Douglas E. Graham, Lt Col, (ret), MHSM
Six Pack and Senior 