Three Tools for Mastery

As I said earlier, the rewards of Mastery are not reserved only for those gifted with special talents. Practicing like a Master will enable you to achieve a higher level of excellence and a deeper sense of satisfaction. Here are three tools for your journey.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

When spending your precious time at practice—and to commit yourself without reservation—it’s essential that you be confident you’re following the right path. If I have done my job well, this book— confirmed by your body’s feedback—can be your source of that certainty. While most of those who read this book are self-coached, a devoted student armed with knowledge is better off than a student with a poor teacher. And even if you have a coach, the ultimate responsibility for success lies not with your teacher but with you.

Videotapes can be a source of guidance and information. If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then a moving picture is probably worth 10,000 words. But learning is immeasurably aided by feedback. And you can create feedback for yourself when a teacher isn’t available by finding a practice partner.

THE BUDDY SYSTEM

You can work toward Mastery on your own, but it helps to have company on the journey: People who have gone through the same process and can share their wisdom and insight. People who are engaged in the same learning quest as you, with whom you can compare notes. People who are simply interested in your success and will offer encouragement. Best of all is to recruit a practice partner. Share your enthusiasm with them and invite them to join you at the pool. You’ll gain a better understanding of what you have been learning if you teach some part of it to a partner … and they will then be better prepared to help you right back.

PERFECTION IS NOT THE GOAL

In Zen in the Art of Archery, Eugen Herrigel wrote that Zen archers do not train primarily to shoot bull’s-eyes, but to increase their self-understanding. Similarly, Mastery is not a pursuit of perfection, but of self-knowledge—including your flaws and limitations. So long as you have human DNA, you’ll never reach swimming perfection anyway, so happily you’ll always have some greater bliss to aspire to. Further, it’s essential to feel clumsy or incompetent at times—and to smile at yourself when you do. The understanding of a Master learner is measured by their willingness to surrender what they “know” in order to learn something new. 

Making the path to Mastery a powerful habit will enrich the totality of your life experience. Though you began with the limited goal of swimming faster or more efficiently, you can go well beyond that to making swimming a deeply satisfying experience and perhaps to learning life lessons that can enrich nearly any undertaking. For more insights on Mastery, read the book Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment by George Leonard.