Fight Yourself: Win Within

The articles you'll find here are quick reads with easy to apply strategies and tactics to conquer the true enemy in life... the enemy within!

Self-mastery and self improvement is an ongoing process, let's get to it!

My name is Derek Morris and I have been training, teaching, translating and traveling internationally for the past 2 decades spreading the fascinating traditions of the orient in the pursuit of mastery. I would like to share some of those lessons with you to help you along your own journey towards self-mastery!

Fighting yourself follows the same three stages as a self-defense situation would.

Consider this post your introduction to the concept and all future posts will allow for a deeper look into the strategies and tactics you can use to stay alive and thrive in this chaotic whirlwind of a world we all live in these days.

Stage 1: AWARENESS

When you are aware you have more options in life. The best of these options is the opportunity to avoid the conflict all together! Better awareness leads to better choices and better choices will lead you to better results. Let's break down awareness into 3 levels:

1. Situational Awareness: Knowing your surroundings and how they can negatively or positively impact you.

2. Internal Awareness: Knowing your internal strengths and weaknesses in order to capitalize on your talent while mitigating your inadequacies.

3. Assets & Liabilities: Being aware of what is available to leverage your strengths and what you need to protect and look out for.

Stage 2: ASSERTIVENESS

There are two extremes in our reactions when confrontation erupts: The Piglet & The Hulk

We can either cower and allow the aggressor to push us around or escalate the situation by responding with anger and aggression. There is a space between though, a sweet spot where we do not allow life to push us around and where we are not trying bully anyone either. This "sweet spot" is called assertiveness!

Being assertive is being bold, but not overbearing. It is utilizing these 3 elements to de-escalate confrontation in our lives.

1. Take a Stand: Don't push back, but hold your ground and be proactive in resolving the issue in front of you instead of freaking out and shutting down.

2. Vision: Stay focused like a fire hose and don't be a sprinkler! Know where you are going in life and visualize your success.

3. Voice: In a fight you would simply say "BACK OFF" to the attacker, but in life we need to say "no" more often to the things that take us off course and prevent us from saying "yes" to our true priorities.

If you are aware, you may be able to avoid the problem altogether. If you are assertive, you may be able to de-escalate the issue. In the event those first 2 options do not work, all that is left to do besides running from our problems is to FIGHT!

Stage 3: FIGHT YOURSELF!

Start reading any of the other posts to begin your training in the self-mastery dojo as you fight yourself to win within!