Gaining Mastery

Growing into Mastery: 3 areas of focus

Mastery of any skill or topic isn't a matter of knowing a lot, having tried it a lot or even having been successful a few times. Growing into a high-level performer in anything requires all three; Education, Experience and Competency. Working on 2 out of 3 isn't bad but it doesn't mean you are prepared for all the contexts you may face. It also isn't enough to qualify you to model and lead others in the skill. 

Education:
A beginner knows the information. 
A performer knows what's behind the information, where it comes from and what ideas contributed to the information. 
A Master knows the limits of the information, where it's application stops, where it doesn't fit and what other ideas are competing with it. 
Being informed and educated is crucial in developing mastery so that you understand the "why" behind the skill. It will help you become intentional in your performance and increase your flexibility when applying the skill.
Gaining Education: Focus on Theory - Explore the materials you have to find out where it comes from, what theory/authors built it and what other theories contributed to it. Next find out what it isn't. Explore competing ideas and the what critics have to say about it.

Experience:
A beginner has done done it a few times. 
A performer has done it several times. 
A Master does it continuously. 
A beginner feels nervous. 
A performer feels comfortable. 
A Master feels purposeful. 
While experience can be captured in a number (hours, attempts, performances) all experience isn't the same. The time spent in performance needs to be focused and intentional. Practicing the skill in different contexts is important as well. These multiple and diverse experiences will build context for the skill. Failures and successes can add to your development if you capture the learning.
Gaining Experience: Focus on Action - Find opportunities to practice. Ask others to help you practice the skill. Set specific goals on how often or how many times you will practice in a week and then do it. 

Competency:
Beginners get lucky every once in a while. 
Performers do it consistently. 
Masters do it seamlessly (naturally). 
Skills involve actions and behaviors that can be demonstrated and observed by others. This creates the opportunity for feedback and reflection. Competency is gained by seeking feedback, reflecting on experience and refining the actions and behaviors based on your reflection. 
Gaining Competency: Focus on Reflection - Whether you get feedback from others or from yourself take time to let it sink in. Use a journal to capture your reflections. Open your journal (analog or digital), take a deep breath and consider the experience and the feedback together. What would you do the same? What would you do different? What would have been the perfect outcome (or alternative outcomes)? What was the actual outcome? What other choices could you have made to get to the alternative outcomes?


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