Mastery is not what I thought, and I’m glad I was wrong
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Rochelle
Welcome to my Ramble. A short note, meant to be pleasant, exploring life’s questions and sharing whatever inspires or makes me laugh or just makes me think. Thanks for coming along!
Think about this…
“Mastery is about being a student of the game—whatever your game might be. When we achieve some level of confidence about our competence, we want a new climb—a new challenge.”
— Brené Brown, from her book Strong Ground
Me, on a mountain–stretching the comfort zone. It’s a long drop… 😉
This notion of mastery really struck a chord with me. I’ve felt a little like a “Jill of all trades and master of none” for most of my life. Even in my policy work, I covered a variety of topics and never felt I was the deep expert on any one of them. It bothered me a little. I worried it meant I was not smart enough or that I was just a dabbler, which is a softer word for quitter. I’m always trying new things. I wondered if it meant I was just avoiding the hard work of becoming really good at something.
In my mind, mastery meant perfecting one skill. Doing something over and over until you were at the top of your game. Or knowing one subject matter and becoming an expert. Mastery was a one-way path with an endpoint – like a trail to a mountain summit to use my hiking parlance. And I have taken many paths, summited many of life’s mountains, and gotten lost a lot. Mastery was not my game.
But after reading Brené Brown’s book and this definition of mastery, I decided to reframe my judgment and criticism of my varied pursuits and my willingness to tackle big goals. As the quote implies, mastery is about the continual pursuit of the next challenge. What I judged as “quitting” or constantly “starting over” is really about moving to the next level.
My fear that I was walking away from the hard is not true. I do the hard and then look for the next hard thing. Sometimes the hard thing is a physical feat – like running 200 miles or climbing a mountain that is beyond my comfort level (as the photo illustrates.) Sometimes the hard thing is taking on a bigger leadership role or changing careers altogether. And sometimes the hard thing is to sit and wrestle with the voices in my head that tell me no, or you should do x, and the hard thing is to quiet the critic and find my center.
I can see that the mastery I am working on is an understanding of the human condition and our limits and our incredible abilities. I am a student of myself and my potential – as I suppose we all are – and striving to hit that bullseye where the heart, mind and body are working together. What I like to call wholly and fully living. Each challenge I seek, every level I climb, is about getting closer to that sweet spot, where I am fully me. No hiding or shying away. I am not trying to be right about anything or even the smartest at something, only trying to be the best I can and do the best with what I have been given, understanding that it will take trust to go beyond what I can see in front of me and the courage to try…and fail…and try again.
This newsletter is my next level. It is expanding and stretching my limits and ideas about who I am and what I can do. It is an experiment to see if what I know (through lived experience and working with others) can be of service. Whether my words, stories, and random thoughts can create a positive ripple beyond my little pond of life.
It is a huge leap for me. Putting myself out there always stirs up a whirlpool of fear. But every time I get these nudges to do something well beyond my comfort zone, I know there is some truth waiting to be revealed, and a little more of that sweet spot to experience.
Like my book, I had no rational reason to write my story or seek a publisher. Just a nudge. To take my writing to the next level. And this nudge to write these little Rambles is another level. Another act of trust and courage to step up and out into the unknown. I don’t know what’s on the other side, but I’m sick of fighting the voice that’s been telling me to do this, so I’m just going to oblige and see what happens.
Thanks for rambling along with me.
So what are you mastering?
What is your game?
I interpret this idea about mastery as simply learning. Going to the next level. Getting out of your comfort zone. Growing. Being open to—and willing—to step out and step up. To chase your dreams.
What are you a student of?
How would you describe your “game”—that thing you are trying to master; the thing you keep learning and pursuing because you love to do the thing? The person you are striving to be?
What is the next level for you? What is just beyond your comfort zone?
It doesn’t have to be monumental life choices. It can be as small or as big as you know it needs to be. Trust me, you know what that next level is – just as I have known I should try this writing thing. If you’re like me, it’ll keep whispering in your ear until you listen!
So just pay attention. Keep learning. Keep doing your thing.
Mastery is not a destination but a series of roads to travel and hills to climb on a path uniquely your own.
It took a life-threatening illness for me to reclaim joy and peace in my life. The Run of My Life is my story of healing. A race against stage four cancer and a marathon to wholeness.
