Mastery isn't about blindly accumulating 10,000 hours but understanding the nuanced journey of skill development. My guest this week in episode 452, Storytelling with Substance, Dr Simon Raybould challenges the misconception that simply investing time guarantees your expertise. He states that different skills require varying levels of commitment - you might master the cajon in a few hundred hours, while the violin demands significantly more time and dedication.
Your path to mastery is less about rigid hour-counting and more about intentional, reflective learning. It's a process of continuous improvement, embodied in the mantra used by Simon’s friend Dave: ‘Am I better than yesterday?’ This approach shifts your focus from perfection to incremental growth.
True mastery involves critical thinking, questioning assumptions and maintaining intellectual curiosity. You need to understand the underlying principles of your craft, not just mechanically repeat actions. Like scientists, view your discipline as a process of learning, always open to new evidence and willing to adapt your understanding.
Mastery is about perspective. It's not just about your individual skill, but how that skill contributes to broader human potential. By approaching learning with rigour, curiosity and commitment to improvement, you can transform your capabilities and contribute meaningfully to your field and society.
If you were to apply Simon's friend Dave's approach of 'Am I better than yesterday?' to your chosen skill, what would that look like in practical terms?
Focus on Mastery! Focus on Why.
ACTION POINT: In what area of your life are you committed to continuous improvement and what small step could you take today to move closer to mastery?
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