Mastering Calm: The Essential Part of Your Personal Mastery

In today's fast-paced world, where the lines between professional and personal life blur, especially for those who work from home, achieving success is about more than just mastering skills or climbing the career ladder. For anyone striving to be their best, the cornerstone of personal mastery lies in cultivating a state of calm and emotional clarity. It's not enough to merely focus on anger management, emotional intelligence, or leadership skills. True success demands an unwavering foundation of inner peace, enabling you to navigate any situation with composure and confidence.

This blog delves into the critical importance of identifying your unique version of calm and learning to access and maintain a serene state of mind. Here’s a guide offering insights and strategies to help you achieve calmness intentionally and swiftly, regardless of external circumstances.

1.    Learn What Your Calm Feels Like

Understanding what your own feelings of calm feel like, look like, and require is crucial for achieving personal mastery and maintaining your well-being. This journey demands a high level of self-awareness and keen observation, as well as dedicated practice. By regularly tuning into your internal state and recognizing the unique cues that signify calmness, you can develop the ability to access this tranquil state even amidst chaos, pressure, and the often unrealistic but unrelenting demands of daily life.

This requires that you make time and space to be silent – no technology and no interruptions from others, while you are awake, sober, and ready to experience yourself in a calm state.  By experiencing your body without pressure, stress, and distractions, you will learn to feel your unique version of calm.  It is truly unique.  Everyone’s nervous system is different so there is no one size fits all approach to inner peace. 

Practicing this skill enables you to remain centered and composed, no matter the external circumstances or the emotional states of those around you. Ultimately, mastering your personal state of calm is not just a survival tool, but a powerful foundation for thriving in any environment.

2.    Focusing on What You Can Control

Worrying about things that lie beyond your control can negatively impact your mood and reduce your effectiveness. Instead, direct your energy towards aspects you can influence.  A way to do that is to take a few moments to reflect, making it a practice to ask yourself:

• Is this within my control?

• Will worrying improve the situation in any way?

• What can I control? 

• Am I over-functioning and imposing more stress on myself than is necessary?

• How can I relax and allow other people to show up so I can stay calmly and confidently in my own lane?

3.    Spend Time in Nature

Our ancestors thrived in natural environments, not confined to modern structures.

They knew the value of clean air, the sounds of nature, and the benefits of allowing our natural environment to “reset” our body and mind. 

Reconnect with nature by taking long walks in the park or spending weekends camping. The tranquility of being around birds and trees can profoundly affect your well-being.  Nature has a way of grounding you and providing a sense of calm on the outside that will allow your nervous system to relax and adjust to your own version of calm, on the inside.

4.    Be True to Yourself

Living a life that aligns with your values is essential for inner peace. When you stray from your true self, it creates a constant internal conflict. Remember: You don't have to pursue a career or lifestyle just because society expects it. Make choices based on what truly matters to you in your heart, not just what your ego and mind are telling you in response to others.

5.    You Are What You Eat

You might be accustomed to feeling less than optimal due to poor dietary habits.  Most of us eat and drink too much and the wrong things when we are stressed, anxious, and too tired to make our own food.  Dr. Alberto Villoldo, medical anthropologist, author, and shaman, wrote in his best-selling book Grow a New Body, "The foods we eat either enhance our ability to think clearly, function optimally, and live healthily, or they detract from it. By choosing nutrient-rich, whole foods, we support the body's natural ability to repair and regenerate, laying the foundation for a vibrant, clear-minded, and fully functional life."

Challenge yourself to eat “clean” and healthily for just a week and observe the changes in your mood and energy levels. After a week of nutritious eating, indulge in some junk food and notice the difference in how you feel. It's likely you’ll feel sluggish and unwell, motivating you to establish new daily and weekly routines for more healthy, organic food intake.

6.    Exercise Regularly

Exercise not only boosts your physical health but also enhances your mood and self-esteem. The sense of accomplishment you feel after a workout is invigorating. Engaging in calming exercises can be profoundly beneficial for regulating the nervous system and promoting a state of relaxation. Practices such as yoga, tai chi, and gentle stretching are excellent examples. These exercises focus on mindful movement, deep breathing, and gradual, fluid motions that help soothe the mind and body. For instance, yoga involves a series of poses and breathwork that not only improve flexibility and strength but also reduce stress and anxiety. Tai chi, often described as "meditation in motion," involves slow, deliberate movements and deep breathing, which can help lower cortisol levels and promote a sense of inner peace. Additionally, activities like walking in nature or practicing qigong can further enhance feelings of calm and well-being. Unlike intense workouts that elevate heart rate and stress the body, these gentle exercises support the nervous system by fostering a serene and balanced state.

7.    Be Assertive

Clearly communicating your needs and desires is essential for reclaiming a sense of control over your life, ultimately contributing to a greater sense of inner peace. When you express your thoughts and feelings openly and confidently, you create an environment where your needs are acknowledged and respected. Assertiveness empowers you to articulate what you want without resorting to aggression or manipulation; it is about standing firm in your beliefs while still being respectful of others. On the other hand, adopting a passive approach (aka being wishy-washy) can lead to feelings of frustration with yourself, resentment of others, and a sense of helplessness. When you fail to voice your needs, you may find yourself sidelined, resulting in a loss of control over your circumstances. By embracing assertiveness, you not only enhance your self-esteem but also foster healthier relationships, as clear communication fosters understanding and collaboration. Remember, being bold in expressing your desires is not just about getting what you want; it's about cultivating a life that aligns with your values and aspirations.

By integrating these practices into your daily life, you can cultivate a deeper sense of peace and fulfillment. Embrace these steps to transform your life and enjoy it on a more satisfying

If you’re eager to bring the concepts and tools to life, I invite you to check out and subscribe to our YouTube and TikTok channels. You are also welcome to tune in to Deep Work Fast, my weekly LIVE event on LinkedIn and Facebook, where I explore these ideas in depth, making them easily applicable to both your work and home life.

Whether you're looking to enhance your productivity, cultivate inner peace, or excel in the various roles you play, these episodes and clips are designed to help you become the best version of yourself. Remember, your successes are our successes and together we can navigate this journey toward personal mastery.