3 Ideas in 2 Minutes on Achieving Mastery
Mastering a Field, True Mastery & Unconscious Competence
I. Mastering a Field
What does it take to master a field? Author Robert Greene is known for his captivating books on power, human nature and mastery. He wants you to understand the following:
In order to master a field, you must love the subject and feel a profound connection to it. Your interest must transcend the field itself and border on the religious.
―Robert Greene, Mastery
Only then could you develop the consistency necessary to become supremely competent at something.
II. True Mastery
However, true mastery cannot be forced. As the following Zen story illustrates, the challenge is not to become too eager.
A martial arts student went to his teacher and said earnestly, "I am devoted to studying your martial system. How long will it take me to master it?"
The teacher's reply was casual, "Ten years."
Impatiently, the student answered, "But I want to master it faster than that. I will work very hard. I will practice everyday, ten or more hours a day if I have to. How long will it take then?"
The teacher thought for a moment, "20 years."
—Unknown
III. Unconscious Competence
Achieving mastery is a long and painstaking process, which ends with the acquisition of unconscious competence. At least according to Martin Broadwell who developed the learning model of the Four Stages of Competence in the 1960s. He looked at the various levels of skills teachers went through and divided them into four psychological states.
Unconscious competence is characterised by something akin to intuitive mastery. Once we’ve reached this state, we don’t think about what we’re doing anymore. Our experience and practice make us seem naturally good. As a downside, we may be unable to teach our skills to others. —How did you do that? —I don’t know, I just did it.
In case you haven’t read it yet, I wrote a whole essay about the concept and the question: Would you be able to fly a plane without any training? 🐘
Have a great week,
Chris
themindcollection.com