Jack of All Trades: a self-mastery exploration

“Jack of all trades” 
turned 
“Jack of all trades, master of none” 
then 
“Jack of all trades, master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one” 
offers a shifty proverb to reflect upon when we consider our own sense of mastery in life.
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​What started off as a positive description of one who is versatile and has a broad range of knowledge, the adage skewed into a negative opinion of someone who isn’t a master at anything, and then changed again to reclaim some of the merits of having more skill than just one trade. I’d like to change all of this to simply: 

“Jack of all trades and master of Me”.  

Image by ZolTan from Pixabay

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As a holistic practitioner, I believe in the value of being a jack of all trades. One who holds a more expansive view of healing the whole, not just a symptomatic, specialized part. This applies not only for the care of an unwell individual but for our world and society as a whole. 

Of course, it’s quite impossible for each of us to know everything, but a holistic approach requires the understanding of the interconnectedness of all things. Mastery of a specific field or specialty is indeed a commendable endeavor of commitment and depth, yet without a broad understanding of the whole, one can become too narrowly focused and create errors in judgment, divisiveness, and disconnect.

So I celebrate the jack of all trades. AND, to both the jack and the single-master, I do suggest a special kind of mastery to support the understanding of interconnectedness and the whole. That is: the mastery of Self. 
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As is the micro, so is the macro. And vice versa. Master your Self and the world gains mastery.

What is self-mastery? What does it look like? 
What it isn’t: perfection, always put-together, all-knowing

What it IS: self-awareness, compassion, strength to look at one’s flaws & challenges, courage to make change, active reflection & realignment, equanimity to maneuver the ups & downs within and socially, deep gratitude and self-love. It is a conscious work-in-progress.

Self-Mastery can involve many aspects of Self and yet the work of self-mastery can boil down to these key elements: 

• Self-support system
• ​Emotional sensory system
• Support network/connection
• Commitment to practice
• Action (-showing up for your life!)
• Gratitude

More on these later.

Deep-Dive, not Shallow
​Yoga teaches us that deep breathing can counteract stress. By activating the parasympathetic nervous system, we can calm our mind and body. This allows us to face challenges with more clarity and make better decisions. Thus, we can both breathe deep and dive deep to gain mastery over who we are and how we live. 

To master ourselves, we delve into both our physical and emotional well-being. Addressing these areas can then positively impact other areas of well-being, including your spiritual and relational health. It can’t not!  Let's start at the surface. This might involve exercise, nutrition, therapy, or spiritual guidance. To know where to begin, check-in….

Begin by asking yourself: 'What's bugging me?' and 'How much is it a problem for me?' This can help you identify areas of concern in your body, your situations, and state of being; and then decide on next steps. This is the simplistic version. The complexity comes in as you dig deeper.

For example, if you're bothered by having woken up tired again, despite enough sleep, it might indicate underlying issues. It could lead to missed opportunities, self-doubt, and decreased motivation. These feelings can impact your entire day and even lead to despair and disconnection. Underneath the doubt and despair may be further emotions that need to be cleared, that stem from some childhood experience, and so on.

As you dive deeper, the temptation to distract ourselves or self-medicate is strong. Fears of discomfort or unknowns can surface. This is where a 'jack of all trades' might find refuge by jumping to another area rather than diving into an inner conflict. But your subconscious knows and embodies truth despite your attempts to mask it. Is it worth the effort to release painful emotions now? 

This is what self-mastery is about and discovering the value that is your true self wishing to emerge. Here’s your chance to be your own master.

Keys to Self-Mastery
These six elements provide a holistic foundation to master the Self:

1. Self-Support: Harnessing Your Inner Resources. When faced with challenges, a strong nervous system and inner support system are essential for self-mastery. Through mindful practices like deep breathing, you can cultivate a calm and focused mind. Doing yoga to allow your energy to be balanced and flow helps the body to break-up inner blocks so you can help yourself.

2. Listen to Your Emotions: Allow emotions to surface and acknowledge them fully. This can help you identify underlying issues and determine next steps. Your emotions can guide you towards release, healing, and transformation.

3. Build Your Support Network: Everyone needs support. Seek guidance from mentors, coaches, friends, or family. Consider joining mastermind groups or social communities for camaraderie and accountability.

4. Commit to Your Practice: Consistent effort, even on challenging days, is key to self-mastery. Your practice should elevate your life, goals, and support systems. Remember, practice is a lifestyle! And don’t forget to celebrate your showing up for yourself, in both big and small ways. 

5. Take Action: Action is an important accelerator; it provides impetus for the next step. Fear can often hinder action yet, with the support of your inner and outer tools, your road to self-mastery can begin with that first step. Even small steps can lead to significant progress.

6. Make Time for Gratitude: We all receive gifts along the way– many of them, if you pay attention. Gratitude can enhance patience, compassion, and self-love. Take time each day to appreciate even the mundane aspects of life.

The Goal of Self-Mastery
Understanding your complete Self, purpose and desires can feel like being a “jack of all trades”. You are a multi-faceted, holistic being that cannot be looked upon as just one singular aspect. Self-mastery involves discovering and embracing all aspects of yourself. The goal of your self-mastery work is to feel safe to be you, to be at peace within, and to live fearlessly in equanimity and bliss.

Where are you in your self-mastery journey? What does it look like for you?

With grit and grace,
Anna

P.S. If you would like a launch pad to start moving towards self-mastery, particularly if you are someone who tends to prioritize outer peace over inner peace, comment below or email reply to waitlist for my next 40-day challenge: a set of 4 inward and outward practices to promote peace and mastery.
Peace to you on your journey!