If I were to ask, what areas of self-mastery are you most proud of, what would it be?

Self-mastery could be anything.

When I think about self-mastery, it could be driving, washing dishes, cooking, or being self-sufficient.

Why self-mastery, you ask?  I say, why not give yourself the credit you deserve?  At the same time, what are we doing to perfect our gifts and share them with others?

At some point, someone taught you the basics of whatever you have self-mastered over time, and it now becomes an unconscious thought because you have mastered it.

Today, without physical teachers, we can go to YouTube or other resources to learn almost anything.

I recall how my youngest grandson taught himself the basics of how to play the piano by watching videos.

Even if we have implemented the 10,000-hour rule required that Malcolm Gladwell mentions in his book “Outliers,” we still can get better.

Outliers Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis | SparkNotes

But why will some say, “That is good enough for me?”

“Good enough for me” means something is sufficient to suit one’s needs without perfection.  It can express that something is adequate or satisfactory without being exceptional.

Today, we see it in our society in the various occupations where skills are put to the test each day.

The quote by Gretchen Rubin mentions, “Self-awareness is a key to self-mastery.”

How you develop self-mastery is up to you.  We must take each step individually or one at a time until we reach the top.

Watching my two nieces become medical doctors was no easy task, as each put in years of training and education one step at a time to get to their levels in life.

“Good enough for me” can’t be for those in the medical field.

Maybe you can profess, as a lifelong learner like me, that the words “Good enough for me” have a hollow meaning.

You have a hole or space inside of you that you’re not satisfied with, only knowing what “Good enough for me” feels like because there is a void of something missing or unfilled.

I’ve often heard people say that person is solid.

Solid Personality Examples:  Some of the most prominent examples of solid personalities today include Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, and the late Steve Jobs.

We need people in other jobs who have self-mastery in fixing our cars, computers, and software issues when people like me hit the wrong button and things disappear.

I recently had to call for help because I couldn’t figure out something connected to my domain, and my blog site was not working correctly.

I don’t know about you; however, I also like listening to people who have self-mastery over various musical instruments, such as playing the piano, guitar, and violin, to name a few.

Some people depend on the skills that they have self-mastered.  Do you have a list of your own that you can provide?

I know firsthand there are so many caretakers, me included, as I have learned the art of time management and meal preparation.

Various tour guides have a deeper understanding of the history of a particular subject than we can ever imagine.  I met such a person on August 13, 2024, during the Smedley Chapter One Toastmasters Club Centennial Celebration in Santa Ana, California.

Some were taught early on in life to iron, wash clothes, and clean up behind themselves.  It’s second nature for them to have these skills, yet many have that “Good enough for me” mentality and will not pick up after themselves, yet wash one dish or iron their own clothes.

Yesterday, I read a quote that spoke about patience and a masterpiece.

Daily Inspiration | Inspiring Quotes

I also know some great storytellers can take one verse from the Bible and bring it to life for others to see.

We have professional shoppers who shop for others and handle their business accordingly.

I had a chance last year to see a waiter take an order of 14 people without pen and paper and get everything exactly as ordered. He started with the drinks, the appetizers, and then the main dish.  He received a big tip for excellent service.

Then there are those like Jim Kwik, who has a specific gift of self-mastery in remembering names and numbers.

The 3 Keys for Unleashing Momentum | Jim Kwik

If we look for them, I only mention all these people with the gift of self-mastery right under our noses.

In one of my gifts as self-mastery, I learned how to shine shoes by watching my father.  When I joined the military, shined boots allowed me to compete and win “supernumerary” many times without pulling guard duty.

Supernumerary Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster

What would stand out if I were to ask you what’s on your resume with the skills you have mastered?

I know the one skill I believe I have self-mastered is leadership.

Throughout the years, I’ve learned the importance of outstanding leadership and how those around me depend upon it.

Today, we can read about leadership, which is broadly defined, and the various styles tied to it.

Maybe you’ve learned specific life lessons that have elevated your self-mastery of skills to higher levels.  I have learned life lessons over 30 years of military service and another 14 years as a Department of Defense Civilian.

Before I close, we each have specific gifts we can treasure for life.

One thing that stands out for me was during the Gulf War when I provided free haircuts to my soldiers and even had the opportunity to cut my battalion commander’s hair when he learned of my skills.

Finally, depending on who you ask in the world of golf, I admire the skills of Tiger Woods as a golfer.  He’s made his share of mistakes in life, and aside from that, he’s been able to show the world his self-mastery of golf, from amateur to professional golfer, based on all that he has accomplished.

Are you going to average with just “Good enough for me” or will you try to create your self-mastery in areas tied to the gifts you possess?

Today, I challenge you to think about what self-mastery has done for you and how you can use that gift to add value to others.

Remember, “Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.” ~ Lao Tzu