Mastery

I finished this book by George Leonard last week but since I had read it over a period of time, I couldn't make a good summary. Since I'll be returning the book RSN, I should get off my duff and recap it.

The author is an aikido master who has learned to enjoy the journey to mastery. Sure, goals are met and you're happy, but often there's a large block of time before reaching that goal. He also points out that America is counter-mastery in that people live for climactic moments and don't enjoy the plateaus that happen in between. He compares the mastery curve to that of one who dabbles, obsesses, and hacks. His 5 master keys are:

• Instruction - You should find a good instructor. An accomplished master may not be the best instructor.


• Practice - duh.


• Surrender - Let go of things you have gained in order to gain even more.


• Intentionality - get mental


• The Edge - Your limits...

Heck, let me just make some lists of topics he brings up later in the book:
Tools for Mastery: Guidelines to see if you really want to spend the time & effort to get on & stay on the path to mastery:

• Be aware of the way homeostasis works


• Be willing \to negotiate w/ your resistance to change


• Develop a support system


• Follow a regular practice


• Dedicate yourself to lifelong learning

Getting energy for mastery:

• Maintain physical fitness


• Acknowledge the negative & accentuate the positive


• Try telling the truth


• Honor but don't indulge your own dark side


• Set your priorities


• Make commitments, take action


• Get on the path of mastery & stay on it

Pitfalls along the path

• Conflicting way of life


• Obsessive goal orientation


• Poor instruction


• Lack of competitiveness


• Overcompetitiveness


• Laziness


• Injuries


• Drugs


• Prizes & medals


• Vanity


• Dead seriousness


• Inconsistency


• Perfectionism

Master things you do in everyday life: Driving, washing dishes, relationships, etc.

Posted by curse at August 31, 2005 10:41 PM