Insights into Modelling Mastery

The green track this week is just to take a few minutes out and stare at our picture of our Master Craftsman at his work. Then make a list of all the things that help him turn that block of wood into something we want to own. And which help him to do it quicker and better than a normal craftsmen. What is it that makes him a MASTER craftsman?

And when you have made your list, ask yourself what are the analogies in your own work? What are your own professional equivalents to the things on the list? Please note, if you are a manager or leader, treat that as your profession – focus on your impact on people.

Finally, think of what you might do to increase your own mastery in one of those areas, and decide whether you want to do that. But remember, mastery is more a journey than a destination. In modelling mastery, every step, no matter how small, counts. And magic can happen on any one of them.

Motivation for Mastery

One of my favourite quotes is from Eleanor Roosevelt:

“It is never to late to become the person you might have been.”

But the key question is, do we WANT to become that person. The reality is, not all of us do. It is far easier for us to just ‘average’ along. To paraphrase Laurence J Peter, only the mediocre get to be ‘always at their best’.

But there is a feeling when the magic happens. It is beyond a sense of fulfilment, even beyond a sense of destiny and what we were born to do. It is, as Eric Liddell put it – Feeling God’s pleasure. A deep sense of connection, identity and belonging, and … yes … magic.

And when it is connected with the difference we are making for the people around us, it can be like no other feeling on Earth.

But, it has to be the choice of the individual. It doesn’t work otherwise.

So your choice: Do you WANT to take a few more steps to becoming that person?

If so, then please consider returning to your list from the green track of modelling mastery at some point, and picking off other items to work on.

Plan for Modelling Mastery

If you got through the green and blue tracks, and you are still here, then the good news is that each step we take along the journey brings its own joy, its own reward. Every step gives us more potential and greater ease in making the differences we want to make. Every step is an adventure in its own right – an adventure into the wonder that is ourselves.

But it is easy to wander off the path, so do what you can to map out the trail and set new beacons to light your next steps. Find those people who you admire, in any field, and think through some of the things that make them good at what they do. (But just a few, not too many, keep the task fun, don’t overwhelm yourself). And then find parallels in your own field, and think through the steps you want to take in that direction.

Keep an overall plan (you can build on the template in the Pack if you wish) but it does not need to be the whole plan. Mastery is a journey, and the map of how we get there may only extend as far as the next step in any direction.

The keys to modelling mastery are, in large part, to keep thinking about it, to keep wanting it, and to keep systematically choosing to take the next step.