This is what Mastery is

 This week in my Intro to Entrepreneurship class, we have been studying the topic of Mastery.

If I were to ask myself “What is mastery?,” my pat answer would have been “the ability to be really good at something.” That sounds about right, right? In the book Mastery by George Leonard, we are learning it’s a bit more than that. Mr. Leonard’s definition is a little different.

“Mastery = The mysterious process during which what is at first difficult becomes progressively easier and more pleasurable through practice.”

Practice. That word has come up again and again in relation to mastery. I almost typed “achieving mastery.” I need to delete the word “achieving.” Because mastery is an ongoing process I’m learning. You don’t just get to the top, dust your hands off and say “Check!” Mastery is a lifelong process in which you continue working, hit a lot of plateaus and stay level for a while, make small gains, fall back a little, level out again, a little bit more than the last time and repeat. And repeat and repeat and repeat. Or practice and practice and practice – for the rest of your life.

In the book Mastery, we’re told that Chinese and Japanese translations of Practice mean road or path. Practice is the path upon which you travel. So instead of a verb, practice becomes a noun and a lifelong quest. Ideally, one gets to the point of enjoying and looking forward to the “Path.”

Someone who has been on my mind a lot this week is my sister-in-law, Paula Clayton. I think Paula mastered the art and science of physiotherapy. She started out by going back to school as a wife and a mother. She earned her degree as a physiotherapist, started working at clinics doing sports massage therapy. She kept studying, learning everything she could about sports medicine. She worked her way up and out of the clinic, eventually being noticed by prominent athletes. Before long she was hired on by a football team. In 2008, she went to work for British Athletics and traveled to Beijing for the Summer Olympics. She worked with Team Great Britain, and 4 years later, did the same with her beloved Team GB on home turf for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London helping track and field athletes get ready for their meets.

After that she and her husband Rick started their own clinic. She continued working with some of her athletes who had become friends – and changed lives with regular people too. Paula lectured and taught other physiotherapists. She researched for answers to problem situations her patients were experiencing. Paula authored medical books for physical therapists on the subjects of Piriformis Syndrome and Achilles Tendinopathy.

When Paula got sick with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, she put her research skills to work advocating for herself. She explored every avenue that was a possibility, even remote possibilities. She stayed on the path in a most focused way. She remained upbeat and positive until the end. Paula passed away this past Sunday. She left behind a legacy of love for family, love for her many, many friends, love for her patients. She made a difference in many lives. She will forever remain an example of persistence for me, for staying focused, staying on the path, practicing her craft and continually improving to the end. That’s mastery.