Are You Practicing Self-Mastery or Deprivation?

Join our FREE challenge here. Have you ever embarked on a journey of self-improvement? I’m sure you have. Reading a good book does that, as does learning something new in a class or through practice. Exercising and dieting are some of the most common and regularly practiced forms of self-improvement. Self-improvement’s goal is self-mastery. But is this just self-deprivation in disguise? I believe the difference between practicing self-mastery and suffering from self-deprivation can come down to one powerful variable. If this variable is off, the same actions and effort are more likely to fail and almost certainly will result in destructive rather than constructive outcomes.

The Variable that can Change Practicing Self-Mastery into Self-Deprivation

I’m writing this article just a few days before our 7-Day Freedom from Sugar Family Challenge launches. If you are taking part in this challenge, or even if you are not but are working on other ways to improve yourself, then I believe this information will make success easier and more enjoyable.

NOTE: The Freedom from Sugar Family Challenge is FREE to join.  It is aimed at unifying your family while simultaneously, improving your health, willpower, cutting cravings and leaving you with more energy. Join here by yourself or even better, bring a member or all of your family.

Whatever way you are hoping to live better, physical or not, the variable that has great potential to make or break your striving is… mindset.

Sounds simple?

Sure. It can be.

You probably know it already to some degree.

The thing is, common sense is not common practice.

So, I’m going to try to offer some insights and strategies that will, hopefully, help you avoid falling into a state of deprivation and have you practicing self-mastery for the win.

The Difference Between Practicing Self-Mastery and Suffering from Self-Deprivation 

Self-mastery leads to more motivation.

Self-deprivation leads to demotivation.

Self-mastery is a long process that increases internal and external strength.

Self-deprivation is limited in its duration by the decline of internal and external strength.

Self-mastery accepts errors, detours and “failures” as par for the course.

Self-deprivation rejects any errors and detours as signifying failure.

In my opinion, the bottom line is that self-mastery is a process that builds you up, making improvements and feeds you with positive energy to continue on towards a higher level. It feels worthwhile, rewarding and right. In contrast, self-deprivation feels like you are unnaturally holding yourself back as if you are being punished. This makes life feel more negative.

Both are challenging and require willpower.  However, self-mastery being in itself rewarding rejuvenates willpower while self-deprivation continues to deplete it.

The Variable of Mindset in Practicing Self-mastery

Although I laid out some of the differences between self-mastery and self-deprivation above, they can be quite similar in real life.  In fact, sometimes the only difference is your mindset.

For example, if you are trying not to eat something like sugar, how you frame this decision mentally can move it from being thought of as practicing self-mastery to self-deprivation or vice versa. The same action can result in two different states of mind.

1. If you have the idea that not eating sugar takes away from your quality of life, joy, or choice, then you will find yourself in a scarcity mindset.
2. If you embrace this effort and focus on how many other delicious and nutritious food options you still have, you will be in an abundance mindset.

The difference between scarcity and abundance often comes down to how you think about things. When we look at Warren Buffett and compare our wealth to his, it can make us feel like we are lacking or deprived. On the other hand, when we focus on what we do have and are grateful for it, our lives feel rich and abundant in blessings.

There have been many instances where indigenous people have been considered poor by visitors from the developed world. When observed closely and asked directly, these people are often happy and don’t feel deprived at all.

Framing or mindset have the power to alter the same thing without anything other than an attitude change.

Are You Practicing Self-Mastery? It’s Up to You

There might be clear cut cases where something is clearly self-deprivation or self-mastery but for the most part, you have the control to determine that.

The next time you are doing something that feels like it taking away from your life take a step back. Then, ask yourself if your attitude is in the way or you actually have a good handle on how this affects you.

We shouldn’t feel like things that we choose are detracting from our life and if we do, then perhaps we need to examine the cause of our mindset or change our action. I’m not saying life isn’t hard sometimes or you don’t have to struggle. I’m just saying when you are struggling for a worthy cause, you can appreciate the hardship.

It’s like strenuous exercise. It can be a push and even uncomfortable (some might say painful) to run faster or lift heavier but when you know why you are doing it and are committed to the process, you get through it and do it again. In fact, you are proud of what you did and your resolve deepens as you repeat it again and again while getting nearer to your goal.