As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” To truly lead, and make a difference in the world, you must always start with yourself.

In order to start with yourself, you must understand if your actions come from a place of obligation or opportunity. Do you see moments to serve others as a matter of obligation or opportunity? The people who act as leaders almost always act from a sense of incredible opportunity.

How do you change self motivation from a place of obligation to opportunity? This is a challenge faced by entire societies. Many people face this challenge of perspective because of their lack of self-mastery. People have fallen victim to allowing their dissatisfaction to control them.

A recent Wall Street Journal report stated that 80% of line workers and 50% of executives are dissatisfied with their lives at work. This highlights the challenge for anyone is to make a life while making a living. Many people feel paralyzed by their lack of control over life.

Instead of losing control over your life, focus on all the things you do control. To achieve this, hone in on your self-mastery skills. Self-mastery defines the promises made versus promises kept, both to oneself and to others. What standards will you set for yourself to maintain your self-mastery?

Leadership Action Points:

1. Stimulate the brain

Read outside your area of expertise, or outside your comfort zone, to stimulate your thinking. Schedule a regular time to think and document your thoughts.

2. Record your insights

Everyone has good ideas. Our problem isn’t the lack of ideas; it is the lack of recall.

3. Pick a problem

When you find a problem worthy of your attention, assume you can make a difference and work towards tackling the problem. Spotting a problem is easy. Solving a problem is hard; it requires an act of leadership.