Work on self-improvement has been around for centuries and has been the focus of a number of books written over the years. One of these books that has stood out over the years is Mastery by Robert Greene.
In Mastery, author Robert Greene offers an interesting examination of the history and reality of expert achievement. He began with an exploration of what constitutes mastery, examining experts across a range of disciplines, including music, sports, business, art, and politics. He described mastery as a combination of natural talent, deliberate practice, and opportune circumstance.
Greene argues that the path to achieving mastery is long and requires much hard work, dedication and passion. To become a master, one must first become aware of his/her abilities and weaknesses, and then strive for a deep knowledge and understanding of the subject in which he/she seeks to master.
Greene emphasizes the importance of apprenticeships and mentoring in the development of mastery. Mentors can bring the mentees a wealth of practical knowledge and experience, which can help them start practicing in the right direction and get the speed-up to success. Greene also, stresses the necessities of great patience and inner will. The mastery, according to Greene, is based on the good mental habits, focus and discipline.
The author also says that mastery is also associated with creativity, suggesting that it is only when one dives deeply into a field that he/she is able to make genuine creative contributions. He highlights the creative path taken by a range of creative achievers throughout history, cautioning that we must be ready to explore the unknown and be willing to risk failure along the way.
The book helps readers realize that it’s not merely about hard work and perseverance, but also about making a greater commitment to the process of learning and striving for improvement. Through this journey, Greene offers a detailed look at case studies, enabling readers to understand the journeys taken by some of history's greatest experts, and how each of them followed a very different approach to achieving mastery.
From businesses to sports, Greene outlines how each of the masters employed disciplines and processes that enabled them to maximize their potential, as well as how they were able to conquer the inevitable obstacles they encountered along the way.
Each of Greene’s stories is full of intriguing information and lessons on the paths to mastery, many of which are applicable to any area of life, whether it’s business, science, or the arts. For example, one of the themes the book explores is the importance of independent thinking, suggesting it is often necessary to challenge orthodox ideas in order to make a great contribution.
Readers of Mastery will find Greene’s book full of stories and lessons that offer tremendous insight into the phenomenon of mastery, from the importance of embracing change and risk to the frustrations and pitfalls experienced on the journey. Greene’s ultimate message is clear: Mastery is possible, but it rarely comes without hard work, dedication, risk-taking and a willingness to go against the flow of convention.
