Do I love to practice…?

This question is fundamentally the key to mastery. Whenever we take on a new challenge we find it difficult but if we can persevere and be patient we get to a point where it is pleasant and effortless.

George Leonard’s book on Mastery says their are four approaches:-

The Dabbler starts a new hobby, sport or job with enthusiasm but quickly loses interest when they experience a plateau. Carl Jung the Swiss psychologist says they are the “eternal child”.

The Obsessive does not like the plateau anymore than the Dabbler, but instead of giving up they will try harder and harder to the point where they burn out and give up.

The Hacker is content when they reach a plateau and does not push themselves anymore. The example used that if they were mining for gold and found it, they would just stop when they found it.

Mastery is about reaching the plateau and still carrying on and potentially having several plateaus. With the gold example they would carry on mining in different areas with successes and failures along the way.

Leonard explains that to achieve mastery you need to be able to answer “yes” to each of these 4 questions at then end of each week:-

The first question is about putting your ego to one side and adopting the identity of a learner. Understand how others have done it before, find an instructor whether it be a physical presence or a book and surrender to their instruction.

The next stage is to practice with intention be there mentally and physically. I have recently started yoga and I realise the more I focus on the pose I am creating the more likely I am to have the balance. The moment I let my mind drift the concentration goes and I literally topple over.

The most important question is “Do you love to practice?” Missing practice is like missing a meal, you are in a rhythm and you get to a stage where you don’t want it to stop. In the book there is an artist who paints 4 hours everyday and says “the routine itself that feeds me”. Atomic Habits by James Clear reinforces this message “If you want better results then forget about setting goals. focus on your system instead”.

The final question you need to answer at the end of the week is “Am I exploring the edge”. Seeking out discomfort, finding new challenges so that you don’t just stay on the plateau. A marathon runner changes the pace to add difficulty. Think about volunteering for new opportunities, responsibilities and roles you have never done before, you need to find the edge it does not find you.

The last word has to go to George Leonard “Perhaps we’ll never know how much a human being can truly achieve, until we realise that the ultimate reward is not a gold medal but the path itself”

Please do get in touch bev@nuggetsoflearning.co.uk