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Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment (Paperback)
by George Leonard
| Category:
Mastery, Personal success |
| Market price: ¥ 158.00
MSL price:
¥ 148.00
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MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
This short and pithy small book contains a wealth of wisdom about mastery and success, which is described by the author as a "long-term, essentially goalless process." |
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Author: George Leonard
Publisher: Plume
Pub. in: February, 1992
ISBN: 0452267560
Pages: 192
Measurements: 7 x 5 x 0.5 inches
Origin of product: USA
Order code: BA00848
Other information: Reissue edition
ISBN-13: 978-0452267565
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- MSL Picks -
Are you one of those people who allow your goal or goals to dominate your life? And once your goals are achieved, do you think of your achievements as, "no big deal?"
The author describes 5 keys to long-term success and fulfillment:
1. Instruction;
2. Practice;
3. Surrender;
4. Intentionality;
5. The Edge - Push the envelop.
According to Mr. Leonard, there are two dimensions to mastery. One is where the practice or journey of mastery in a given area is satisfying as an end in itself. The other is where practice is a means to the achievement of progressively higher goals or levels of skill.
Integral to the two dimensions of mastery mentioned above are the internal and external, metaphysical (mental, emotional, spiritual) and physical, dimensions which must be kept in balance, and Mr. Leonard provides various keys and tools for doing just that. Although he is far from exhaustive in his exposition on what it means to be "successful," he does provide some valuable insights on the key principles of mastery underlying true success that are rarely found in a lot of popular success literature. This is an important contribution.
Mastery is:
1. The process where what was difficult becomes both easier and more pleasurable;
2. Long-term dedication to the journey - not the bottom line;
3. Gaining mental discipline to travel further on your journey;
4. Being goalless;
5. Realizing that the pleasure of practice is intensified;
6. Creating deep roots;
7. Knowing that you will never reach a final destination;
8. Being diligent with the process of mastery;
9. Your commitment to hone your skills;
10. After you have reached the top of the mountain, climb another one;
11. Being willing to practice, even when you seem to be getting no where;
12. Making this a life process;
13. Being patient, while you apply long-term efforts;
14. Appreciating and even enjoying the plateau, as much as you do the progress;
15. Practicing for the sake of practice;
16. Winning graciously, and losing with equal grace;
17. Placing practice, discipline, conditioning and character development before winning;
18. Being courageous;
19. Being fully in the present moment;
20. Realizing that the ultimate goal is not the medal, or the ribbon, but the path to mastery its self;
21. Being willing to look foolish;
22. Maintaining flexibility in your strategy, and in your actions;
23. A journey;
24. Determination.
Apply this to everything in your life, to claim your authentic self.
- From quoting Carmen Matthews
Target readers:
General readers
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From the publisher
Drawing on Zen philosophy and his expertise in the martial art of aikido, bestselling author George Leonard shows how the process of mastery can help us attain a higher level of excellence and a deeper sense of satisfaction and fulfillment in our daily lives. Whether you're seeking to improve your career or your intimate relationships, increase self-esteem or create harmony within yourself, this inspiring prescriptive guide will help you master anything you choose and achieve success in all areas of your life.
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| View all 8 comments |
Smith (MSL quote), USA
<2007-06-15 00:00>
Finally, a book that gives the basics of power. The author shows that one needs valid knowledge and a lot of practice to be a master. Although this seems obvious, many people miss the forest for the trees. This could be called a manual on how to use knowledge. He gives some exercises from his training in the martial arts, but this is not a martial arts manual. The book gives the keys to becoming a master at anything. The keys of valid knowledge and practice is the way to master anything. He also shows that mastership is an endless road. You can never say your perfect and stop. You keep learning and getting better. The book appears simple on the surface but dont underestimate it, its full of wisdom. Although in our society there are those who call themselves masters and even grandmasters, true masters are a rarity. Shakespeare in writing, Bruce Lee in the martial arts, Capablanca in chess, Einstein in science are examples of true masters. But this book is for individuals who are willing to go through the very hard work and study to be a master. A very good book for those pursuing excellence. |
John (MSL quote), USA
<2007-06-15 00:00>
Leonard is an Aikido instructor in Northern California, and once contributed an article on fitness and athletics to Esquire magazine which I always wished I had kept. Years later, I came across this book, and was thrilled to find that he was the author of that article. There are few pursuits which would not be enriched by the insights and principles of this little book. Unlike the great majority of self-help books, this one looks like the classics: it stays short, and doesn't lose its point in a plethora of unnecessary case studies, examples, and narcissistic autobiographical reflections. Leonard stays focused, doesn't waste his readers' time, yet provides all the information and motivation necessary to put the reader on the slow, steady track to success, whether it be in sports, in business, in the arts, or in a life enriched by all that. It's the antithesis of the quick fix: if you care enough about an endeavor to give your time to it, Leonard will tell you what the learning curve will look like, and will tell you that, if it matters, it's worth giving your lifetime to pursue. |
A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-06-15 00:00>
There are other books out there on achieving mastery in the martial arts (Living the Martial Way is my favorite). This one takes the principles that Mr. Leonard has learned from his practice of aikido, and translates it into practical principles for following the path of Mastery in any skill. It's simply and skillfully written, and easily understandable - the principles of mastery are easy, it's the staying on the path that's hard. As a born hacker, someone who gets to the level of "good enough" in every area, and then just hangs around there forever, this book gave me the tools I needed to start forgeing ahead again in many things.The most profound things don't have to be complicated, in fact they're usually simple. It's just that simple things aren't always easy to do. |
A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-06-15 00:00>
Leonard has done an excellent job outlining the case for practicing anything for the purpose of pleasure and fulfillment. Most of what we acknowledge as important in our lives revolves around the quest for wealth/status. Everything else is of little importance and so we are not present when participating. The fine arts is an obvious example. Why would someone practice 2 hours a day at piano if they are not increasing wealth or status ? Leonard shows that the furtherance of the art is the reward.
Also discussed is the focus of our society on the climax or fast/easy gains. With every climax there is a period of plateau or gradual build up to the next climax. Leonard describes how enjoyment can be had during the plateau, not in anticipation of the next climax but for its own sake. |
View all 8 comments |
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