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Carolyn Smagalski
Self Mastery
Founder - Editor - Host
Do you know yourself? When was the last time you took
inventory of yourself and assessed your strengths and your
areas that need improvement? Tryon Edwards wrote of the
importance of self analysis: "The first step to improvement,
whether mental, moral, or religious, is to know ourselves -
our weakness, errors, deficiencies, and sins, that, by divine
grace, we may overcome and turn from them all."
You may wish to use a standard list or add modifications as
they relate to your particular circumstances:
1. Have I attained the goals necessary to advance me toward my
chief purpose in life? If I have fallen short of my interim
goals, what could I have done that would improve my results?
2. Have I given the highest level of service and the greatest
value possible? Have I served with enthusiasm and
cooperativeness?
3. Have I moved forward with determined decision, and avoided
the pitfalls of procrastination?
4. Have I improved my appearance, both physically (in the
manner in which I dress, carry myself, and stay fit) and
sociably (in portraying a positive outlook, creating a
connectedness with others, and increasing my level of
self-confidence)?
5. Have I developed the habit of persistent, continuous
action?
6. Have I permitted the fears of criticism and failure to
stand in the way of my success?
7. Have I displayed an egotistical attitude, either openly, or
in my private self-image?
8. Have I exhibited self-control on all occasions? Have I
displayed the habits of over-eating, drinking, lack of self
control over my emotions, or other over-indulgent
characteristics?
9. Have I developed good time-management skills? Do I have
control of my expenses and income?
10. Have I focused my sights on unprofitable efforts, rather
than focusing on that which would be of greater profit and
advantage?
11. Have I depleted my energy by spreading myself too thin?
Have I allowed myself to be distracted by negative influences,
or by other actions that catch my eye?
12. Have I been guilty of any choices that are not in
congruency with my conscience?
13. Have I been less than fair to anyone? How? How might I
change that?
14. Am I happy with my purpose in life? If not, what can I
do to move me toward my picture of self-actualization?
15. How would I rate myself on the basic principles of
success?
Assess yourself carefully. Write your answers down, and
re-visit them to determine if you are moving forward, and how
much. Change toward a better you. "Without change there is
no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement. Those
who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage
the change that is inevitable," wrote William Pollard.
Make every effort to strengthen your character. Develop more
skills - leadership skills, people skills, organizational
skills. Maxwell Maltz said, "Self-improvement is the name of
the game, and your primary objective is to strengthen
yourself, not to destroy an opponent."
Improve yourself. It is in conducting self-analysis that you
will become more aware of what you can do to achieve the
success you desire.
Recommended Reading:
Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill.
Content copyright © 2003-2008 by Carolyn Smagalski. All rights
reserved. This content was written by Carolyn Smagalski.
If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need
written permission.
Contact Carolyn Smagalski
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