“Let no one or nothing stand between you and the hard work; let no one deprive you of this rich opportunity of finding strength from adversity, confidence from skill, success from being worthy of it. Do it better every time. Do it better than anyone else can. I know it sounds old-fashioned. It is, but it has made the world” (Harold H. Curtis).
Mastery gives us satisfaction that mediocrity can never give. Yet very few of us have tasted the joy of achieving mastery. We have dreamed about hundreds of things. We have tried our hand at many things. And perhaps we have even advanced to the intermediate level in many things. But some of us have paid a price for achieving mastery in any one field of endeavor. We have not invested years of patient sweat and sacrifice to reach a state of perfect skill and true expertise. But those who have done so enjoy a satisfaction that is truly one of life’s special gifts.
Mastery does not mean arrogance. When Curtis suggests we do something that’s “better than someone else’s” what he’s talking about has nothing to do with ego, competition, or proud self-reliance. He is simply urging us to never settle for anything less than improvement. Mastery in any activity means a constant desire to increase excellence in art, craft, science or whatever. If the way we do a particular task is no better than what has already been done (including ourselves), we probably have not done it as excellently as it could have been done. Mastery is always about pushing boundaries.
Mastery does not mean perfection. In the world as we know it, it is not possible to achieve absolute perfection in any endeavor. But that doesn’t mean mastery isn’t possible. No one can build a flawlessly perfect house, but that doesn’t stop us from distinguishing those who have become master carpenters from those who have not.
However, the most important type of mastery is Self-mastery. We need not think that, just because we have mastered our job, our work or our art, there is no need to master ourselves, because real mastery lies in it, and without it, no other mastery will be appreciable.
“We must call ourselves to account every night: What infirmity have I overcome today? What passions have I resisted? What temptations have I resisted? What virtues have I acquired? If our evils are brought before justice every day they will annihilate themselves” (Seneca).
Gary Henry – WordPoints.com AreYouaChristian.com
