We have all set out to gain develop a current skill or gain a new one. Sometimes we find ourselves in the midst of a rut. And that’s “Okay.” Even though it might not feel that way at the time, these set backs can be avenues for massive growth.
The last two posts we have been unpacking some of the “Tools of Mastery,” that we can leverage and use in every aspect of our life from skill acquisition, business, school and even relationships.
Today, we are going to address part three of five in the Tools of Mastery series. As we work to clarify the 5 questions asked by George Leonard in Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment
- How can you avoid backsliding?
- Where will you get the energy for your journey?
- What pitfalls will you encounter along the path?
- How can you apply mastery to the commonplace things of your life?
- What should you pack for the journey?
George in his book Mastery, describes 13 pitfalls that one might run into on their journey.
- Conflicting way of life: Mastery doesn’t exist in isolation, the path is woven into every aspect of our lives. Whether we are pursuing mastery in our career or outside in a passion that doesn’t provide us with a living wage. Either way it is important to have support from your partner or spouse.
- Obsessive goal orientation: George pointed out multiple times in the book, that the desire for a quick, sure and visible results are the enemy of mastery. Not because the outcome itself is bad, but that we are so focused on the outcome that we don’t learn to love the process. It is the love for the process that will sustain you through.
- Poor Instruction: I identify strongly with being a learner it’s a great source of pride for myself. I wasn’t always the best student; lazy and unmotivated were a few words that I would describe myself with. I made the decision to shift to a learner, because I realized it was necessary for me to become the person I wanted to be.
“The ultimate responsibility for your getting good instruction lies not with your teacher but with you.”
- Lack of Competitiveness: I’ve played video games nearly my entire life, I am extremely competitive in that realm as well as in my work. In games like Smite, League of Legends, or Heroes of the Storm… I see so many give up so easily. That is something I just can’t fathom, video games for a long time has been a source of confidence for me. I don’t win every game, I don’t lose without having given my all to win. Even in losing with grace, I am humbled and find mastery.
- Over-competitiveness: This one is so interesting, there is so much tied up in winning that there are sayings like,
“Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.”
That is to say that practice is nothing; without practice, we can’t perform.
- Laziness: Nothing can stop a journey toward Mastery faster than laziness. Through courage, laziness can be overcome on the path as well.
- Injuries: Whether the path is physical, mental or spiritual; focusing on sustain our health and well-being can stop us from making excuses.
- Drugs: A drug can leave you addicted wanting a chemical cocktail in your brain and body. I personally was addicted to video games and I was no longer growing. When I pulled myself out of the Matrix, I could see the path clearer than ever.
- Prizes and Medals: Doing things simply for the external validation will never lead to self-sustaining mastery. The moment we understand the rewards aren’t the goal, but who we become along the journey. That is we can unleash our highest self.
- Vanity: If we only do things to “save face,” how can we learn? If you choose not to dance because you are afraid of how others might see you, how can you learn?
- Dead Seriousness: When we can learn to laugh at our inadequacies, we soften the blow to our ego, while reflecting on where we need to grow. The best of both worlds.
- Inconsistency: Nothing has made more people successful than being consistent over a long period of time.
- Perfectionism: This is the one that I allowed myself to hold me back for multiple years in my life. I never started a blog cause I didn’t know how, I wanted everything to be “perfect.” I am a recovering perfectionist and in those moments where I don’t know the answer or it isn’t perfect. I have learned to lean into that pain or struggle, because courage overcomes perfection.
We are all responsible overcoming our pitfalls, hopefully reflecting on them before we encounter them can allow us to respond accordingly. I will be discussing, “How can you apply mastery to the commonplace things of your life?” in the next blog post. If you’ve enjoyed this post, please do me a favor, share it and sign up to be notified of future post