Why you should be more consistent.
Cultivate the ability to be consistent and maybe you can achieve mastery.
The Hard Truths.
People don't want to hear the hard truths in life.
How can we blame them? These truths are usually boring and straight to the point.
When confronted with the truth, a harsh light is forced upon us.
It exposes us.
We can choose to stand strong and endure. Perhaps try to change things, increase our awareness of our shortcomings, and be more consistent.
Or as most do, we scurry away towards the shelter of darkness. The path of least resistance, where we are comfortable with everything happening.
With no requirement to show up and be involved in the mundane process’s, we were once so motivated to achieve.
In the short term its easier to remain blissfully unaware.
How do I know?
As someone who enjoys trying new things, throwing myself into uncomfortable situations or trying to say yes more often.
I have, what may seem like a new hobby every week.
Prior to reading Robert Greene’s “Mastery”, a book that has been one of my favourites this year. I didn't see any issue with this.
Upon reflection, I would equate it to a crosssection between pushing myself into situations that force me to adapt and grow.
And experiencing something easily explained as ‘Shiny Object Syndrome’. Constantly in search of something new and exciting to try.
The search for a new hobby or skill that I may have a natural inclination when trying for the first time.
Therefore, trying to bypass an entire process of skill acquisition and reflective improvement. Quite simply, trying to avoid the practice phase.
Experiencing ‘Shiny Object Syndrome’ you are left with little regard for previous hobbies or goals, always on the move.
No purposeful time spent building habits, no time spent being consistent.
Travelling for the sake of keeping busy, but with no set direction.
Some key points learnt from ‘Mastery’
Greene writes about a variety of historical people, dead and alive.
People who were considered geniuses, who had what people may dismiss as natural talent.
However, this assumption can be incredibly dangerous.
These people find a passion in which they devoted copious amounts of time.
Observing, learning, practising, receiving feedback, reflecting, and creating. A continuous loop of processes.
A loop that the people we admire have all experienced.
Greene discusses that people who invest time in achieving mastery, are not masters simply after reaching an arbitrary number like 10000 hours.
It takes real practice, time spent to find the appropriate mentors. Having the focus to sit and repeat processes, building your confidence to venture forward without mentors. Contributing back to your field, finding a niche.
With so many intricacies involved, this is not a simple process — A hard truth.
This will not be simply achieved by spending 52 ‘business weeks’ dedicated to achieving a level where you may be considered a ‘genius’.
The greats have and do spend the majority of there life working towards something, that's real consistency.
Conscious and subconscious thoughts, debates, research, collaboration.
Purley dismissing peoples achievements to ‘natural born talent’, is a dismissive way to insult the hard work people complete to achieve ‘Mastery’.
Of course, there are unique variables that factor someone's success.
However, the focus here is the consistency required to achieve Mastery.
Without a consistent effort, the results would differ.
For instance, take Charles Darwin.
A man who went to great lengths to follow his passions.
In Darwin’s early twenties he set sail on a five-year voyage. As a naturalist Darwin’s plan was to explore locations around the world, collecting research and furthering his experiences.
This voyage proved monumental in helping Darwin formulate his theories.
Theories he would continue to develop and refine. As he understood the current opinions of the public would not agree with his life's work.
Darwin also understood that if he were to publish something so controversial, his theories would have to be backed with significant research and evidence.
Darwin would not publish his work until 20 years later in life.
Darwin was able to achieve Mastery because he was consistent.
With that in mind, perhaps we can too.
“A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.” — Charles Darwin.
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