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600 sats \ 3 replies \ @plebpoet 12 Mar \ on: On the Subject of Mastery and Achieving Mastery mostly_harmless
I like this discussion, and I want to respond to your questions. I think mastery is an apt measure of achievement that is currently and unfortunately not valued as highly as wealth. I am deeply drawn to mastery in crafting and arts, and because of this I easily become a perfectionist. I get down on myself for being so far from mastery. And I have been thinking of this a lot lately, because I realize I've never done any one thing long enough, with enough focus, to even be on the way to mastery. So why don't I just buckle down and focus on one thing? One skill? One project? Because what happens then is a crisis of how to identify myself. What do I love enough to become it, every day, no matter what the outcome is? And when does it get easier to make that choice? Part of me is able to rationalize this argument by appreciating the freedom I have to try all kinds of things. Trying things satisfies me. But mastery is what I ultimately admire. Another note about the way mastery is valued, wealth or money-making is not on my priority list. It is not calculated in my values system. This makes it more confusing to discover where my focus should go, or what craft of mine may be useful. Because I won't know it by the amount of money it brings me. I do have plans to write books. Writing is the one craft that is most consistent in my story. It has the deepest pull on me. And everyday a huge portion of my brain power is producing, packaging and shipping book ideas. I studied literature in college, but I did not get an education on how to write. Ever since I began taking writing more seriously, I have felt like I'm at the beginning of my journey. That was three years ago. I guess that's not such a long time.
Thank you for your detailed response.
I'm not much of a writer myself, so I do not know how one walks the path towards writing mastery. I can only speak from my own experience, as a carpenter of 16 years. I always felt that I got lucky, because my apprenticeship was under a true master who started carpentry at 17 years old and was on his 36th year as a carpenter when he took me on. He is not only skilled and experienced, but has extreme attention to detail while also being able to walk back and see the big picture. I also think that he is a great teacher who is patient and helpful. I remember, in the beginning, I was not very good at my work and made a lot of mistakes. My master never lost his cool and never showed any sign of anger when I made a mistake. He would point out the flaws and deficiencies in my work, explain to me his requirements and what needs to be fixed, then kindly asked me to take it apart and do it again until it meets his requirement.
I think I was able to continue focusing and working on this trade because I saw what I could become in my master. He doesn't make very much money, but it's enough for him to provide for his family, allow his wife to stay home a not work while raising 2 children. He was very well respected at the construction site, and even strangers (mostly other tradesmen) would show him respect once they see his work. And of course there's the work he do, they are simply amazing pieces of art that I wish I could do myself the moment I saw them. I think having a mentor and someone to show what I could become and what I could achieve, if I put in the time and work, helped me stay the course and stay focused.
It sounded like you are not too sure what craft to pursue, but that you are leaning towards writing. I think that if you enjoy doing it, it's often a good idea to give it a try. The road to mastery is long, requires hard work and dedication. If you strive to achieve mastery in a field, it's probably a good idea to try to master something that you enjoy doing, because it takes years and years of working on the same thing to perfect your craft. I started to have less work needed taking apart and re-doing after the first year. I learned and was familiar with most of the basic skills required for my work after the second year. I started handling contracts on my own at around the fourth year. I became my master's partner in his business after five years. We continued to work together until he retired in early 2022 and passed his business to me.
Another note about the way mastery is valued, wealth or money-making is not on my priority list. It is not calculated in my values system. This makes it more confusing to discover where my focus should go, or what craft of mine may be useful. Because I won't know it by the amount of money it brings me.
You might not be interested in money making, but money making might be interested in you. If what you do brings value to others, and you focus on doing it to a point that you do it better than most others, the money will come knocking on your door whether you want it or not. Maybe that can be an indicator of your level of mastery.
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A couple years ago, I became really enamored with the idea of a mentor. It crushes me to not have one. I even tried to invent my own imaginary mentor. How did you come to find this invaluable apprenticeship? Do you come across them often? Sometimes I am discouraged enough to believe that good mentors no longer exist.
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He is a long time family friend. I had always been interested in building things and making things with my hands, and decided to take the jump to work in construction as a full time carpenter in my early twenties. I asked him for a job and he gave me a lifelong skill and a career.
I don't believe good mentors no longer exist, but there is probably some luck involved in finding one.
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