“Everything that happens to you is a form of instruction if you pay attention.”
-Robert Greene
A Lesson in intellectual and occupational wellness
As an Amazon Affiliate it is policy to inform you that this is an advertisement. However, this is still a reflection of a great book that I’ve read many times over. I believe it would benefit any who may read it. You can find the link for it in my references located at the bottom of this page.
Mastery
“Mastery” is a bit of a subjective word. Everyone has their own standards of what that is. Charlatans typically use it as a buzzword to sell their overpriced courses. Masters aren’t even all that rare of a breed. A master probably cut you off in traffic this morning.
The main thing that sets them apart from everyone else is how they deal with suffering. Most of us have some sort of natural inclination towards a particular skill. We could either be very good at it or at the very least fascinated. Following these inclinations typically leads you to something that feels right. Most of us just make some sort of hobby out of it, but to some, it becomes their answer to all suffering.
Masters have the ability to see things others can’t. It’s the result of years of specialized training. They can use what they see to insert themselves into any situation and completely change it. When there are no seats left, a master pulls up his own. When a master must escape, she makes her own exit. You don’t become a hall-of-famer by being the best of the commoners. You do so by changing the game.
Getting over oneself is more important than just making yourself more likable. It also can spark the beginning of an important transformation for you. The human mind is the most powerful tool there is. It can change and even manifest whatever it focuses deeply on; the keyword being can…
Your time is finite.
Before you can unleash the powers of the mind, you have to open it first. Self-centered thinking leads to a delusional, infertile mind. Opening the mind involves indoctrination into many different schools of thought. Once you have your knowledge, you leave in search for more. It would help if you had a skill or inclination that is unique to you. You could opt into systems based on how it could expand that skill. You must make information more important than anything else. If you chase anything else like wealth or fame, you will likely lose your way.
Every 10000 hours or so, your brain gains or loses a few wrinkles. The brain wrinkling activities are usually the ones that cause stress of some type. Examples of these brain wrinkling activities are puzzle solving, reading books, or creating deadlines for yourself. You don’t want to spend all your time on these sorts of activities though. You will almost certainly burn yourself out. Brain smoothing activities are just as important as the wrinkling activities. Examples of these activities involve sex, taking a nap, and taking a vacation. You want moderation in these activities as well. You will become mentally weak and dependent. It’s all about balancing the mind.
You have to start taking your time seriously. Start moving with more intent and daydreaming less. Once you’ve committed yourself, you must make every second count. You can never be caught lacking again. A true artist would never leave home without his sketchpad. A true savage would never leave home without the strap. Every day you leave the house, you must keep your eyes open for opportunities to expand your knowledge. Apply your skills to everything applicable, even the little things. Once you’ve attained a certain level of mastery over that skill, move on to the next skill. Everything you learn must connect to the thing you love to do the most.
The easiest way to permanently alter your mindset is to think of your calling before you go to sleep. Also, make your calling your first thought when you wake up in the morning. Over the passing days, you will naturally fill in the gaps with productivity. This is the quickest way to gain a love for learning of all styles. You will eventually learn to make every second count.
Mastery requires balance.
Once you’ve learned to move with intention, you must also dabble in the social realm a bit. You need to actually go out and meet the right people. The right network of people will speed up your learning process. You can also absorb key insights from them. This isn’t an easy process, though. On your path, you will meet many people. You won’t have space for everyone. On top of that, the human mind is unpredictable. Every 10000 hours, a mental shift occurs; not just for you. Your ally today may not be your ally tomorrow. This is why we must develop our vetting processes. Whoever passes your vetting process does not automatically earn your trust. They earn another round through your vetting process. You must constantly reevaluate your relationships. You must be prepared to separate once they no longer prove useful. Your time is finite.
The main reason you must enter the social realm is to find the perfect mentor for you. The further you go into your studies, the easier it will become to find such a person. This mentor you seek must already be a master. It will be obvious who this person is by the similar skillset and by how easily they solve problems. They would fascinate you with their insight and fluidity of motion. They would have a masterpiece of some sort that inspired your creative spirit. Once you find this person, you must find a way to make yourself useful to them. You have to offer support in a way that would truly benefit this particular master. You also must be straightforward about your desire to be better. This is the time to show the utmost respect and gratitude for their time. You must become the master’s apprentice.
Keep in mind that masters aren’t special. They are just as human as you. Even though you are an apprentice, your mentor must still be subject to your vetting processes. Having the ideal apprentice is just as beneficial to the master. Your time is just as important as the master’s. But keep in mind it is a 50/50 deal. You must be the one to adapt, as best you can, to the master’s teachings. If you have a good mentor, they will mirror your efforts. Continue being useful to the mentor and spend as much time as you can with them. You must trust the mentor and give as much feedback as necessary. Eventually, enough empathy will be developed to create a back and forth dynamic. This is how a true master, and the ideal apprentice would elevate each other’s perspectives.
As times change, so should you.
You can’t remain an apprentice forever, though. With the passage of time, your mentor will become your equal. All good things must come to an end. You were always planning on moving ahead, and any mentor would be aware of this. Sometimes, life just doesn’t work out how you plan. Maybe over time, you and your mentor developed irreconcilable differences. Or maybe your mentor became too attached to you and refuses to let you grow separately. An emotional connection is needed to make any relationship work. It wouldn’t be too crazy to think of your mentor as a family member after so many years. But you have to know if you have what it takes. It is best to set up your breakaway early so that you are emotionally ready to do so when the time comes.
You may still not have everything you need after so much training. It’s a cold world, and life is not a game. You are going to encounter much suffering finding your own way. Most of it will come from your own emotions. The more you suffer, the more prone you will be to distractions and resentment. You could fall back into self-absorbed thinking. The most dangerous of all, you will face boredom constantly. This makes you rush, which leads to rookie mistakes. You might even give up after a while. But if you can, withstand that suffering as long as possible. As long as you continue to stay immersed in the struggle, your imagination will come into play to shake things up. That’s when it finally happens. That’s when you begin to see your grand pattern.
That moment when your memories, imagination, and necessities all become intertwined. Tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of hours, hits you in a single instant. Everything becomes information. You make use of all your past experiences, good or bad. Your opportunities to apply yourself seem to be everywhere. You can instantly capitalize on any mistake your enemies make. You can insert yourself anywhere your skills apply and completely alter any situation you choose. Time itself becomes your ally. You have found your way.
(Neo Stopping bullets from “The Matrix” )
Life once you see the patterns.
Your grand pattern also makes you keenly aware of people who have too much time on their hands. People are often mischievous once bored. They may even be waiting for an opportunity to sabotage or steal your work. Your presence alone may trigger an attack on you. Different often translates to special in the eyes of a commoner. This makes them reflect negatively on their own situation. They may even hate on you because they want to show you and everyone else that they are special too. You learn to avoid these types of people. Spare them from their own envy.
Sometimes, a fool will try to force their way into your grand pattern to become your obstacle. Some haters have more power than others. You have to proceed, but they always seem to get in your way. They simply MUST be your enemy, and they will not be ignored. Fools are typically immune to respect and gratitude. They lack these qualities in their own lives. It’s still worth a shot as an opening move, but be ready to take it further. Sometimes, to proceed, you just have to give people what they want. Wait for them to make a mistake, then hit them hard. Force them to make more mistakes. Don’t just hit them. Run the pockets. Take what you can, burn what you can’t. Your time is finite. Anyone who steals it must pay a price. Sometimes, you have to be the bigger villain. As a master yourself, you have learned to make art out of any problem.
You have to be just as receptive to doing things yourself as you are to accepting help. More information becomes the only thing that matters. You must hold no system sacred. You must never regard anyone as perfect. They also become sources of information. If there is none for you to have, you have no reason to be there. You must retain a level of obsession about your work, no one else will. They will likely put their own needs over your work. This goes against your vetting process. Only you can go out and create your masterpieces. Only you can waste your time. And your time is finite.
(The Wellness Wheel)
It never “just happens.”
Every 10000 hours, you either get better or worse. It all depends on how well you use your time. Always move with intent. Pick the best suited activities to shape your mind properly. Everything you do must tie into the next. Make your life’s work the first and last thing you think about. Always be ready to perform once you’ve committed to a lifestyle. Learn to turn everything and everyone into information and seek out opportunities to learn more. Control your ego. You are not special and can be taken out of the game at any time without warning. For that reason, you must be prepared to leave any situation with just your knowledge. Forever immune to conformity. Forever free.
Mastery is easily one of my favorite books of all time. No matter who you are, you can become someone. I don’t think I ever would have realized this if I never picked up this book 7 years ago. Do yourself a favor and start making this book a part of you. The future belongs to those who can see their grand pattern in life.
References and photos
“Mastery” – Robert Greene.
Pinky and the Brain- ACME studios,
The Matrix – Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski