Have you ever been impatient with yourself because it was taking too much time to be good at something? Did it ever make you feel inadequate or not very bright?
Please, I can't be the only one!
There was a time when Mastery was integral to our schooling whether it was in sports, music (do they even have that in schools anymore?), mathematics, etc..
Mastery is a process, a way for us to develop the skills we need whether around something physical, mental, or emotional.
Mastery takes time. However, our culture at large has made us impatient, so we want what we want when we want it. You have less patience since your want/need/desire is met quickly like when you shop online (no waiting at the checkout as well as no conversations with other people), instant downloading, and TVs that come on within seconds (do you remember when the TV tubes had to warm up first?). When I was growing up we waited for the phone to ring 8 times before we hung up as there were no answering machines and we needed to give the person time to get to the phone. Now we expect an instant pickup with a quick reply.
We've become acclimated to this speed and, therefore, we've come to expect it of ourselves. But with this cultural perspective we take it further, as we've been taught to judge ourselves as bad or wrong when we aren't, can't be, or try this on for size - aren't designed to be fast!
When you approach learning as a process of Mastery you know time is part of the equation. You expect it and plan for it. In fact this process lets you master patience within yourself and with that expanded viewpoint you'd never think yourself as inadequate or not very smart, ever! You would know more time and practice is needed for you to learn and master the subject.
How do you imagine you'd feel about yourself if you were freed of those judgments about yourself? Happier? Content? If this seems like a foreign concept then you have been limited by this culturally based inaccurate expectation!
You would also see the ripple effect of this expanded viewpoint as you'd see other people this way too. Just imagine how that would show up in your relationships!
Beth
Please, I can't be the only one!
There was a time when Mastery was integral to our schooling whether it was in sports, music (do they even have that in schools anymore?), mathematics, etc..
Mastery is a process, a way for us to develop the skills we need whether around something physical, mental, or emotional.
Mastery takes time. However, our culture at large has made us impatient, so we want what we want when we want it. You have less patience since your want/need/desire is met quickly like when you shop online (no waiting at the checkout as well as no conversations with other people), instant downloading, and TVs that come on within seconds (do you remember when the TV tubes had to warm up first?). When I was growing up we waited for the phone to ring 8 times before we hung up as there were no answering machines and we needed to give the person time to get to the phone. Now we expect an instant pickup with a quick reply.
We've become acclimated to this speed and, therefore, we've come to expect it of ourselves. But with this cultural perspective we take it further, as we've been taught to judge ourselves as bad or wrong when we aren't, can't be, or try this on for size - aren't designed to be fast!
When you approach learning as a process of Mastery you know time is part of the equation. You expect it and plan for it. In fact this process lets you master patience within yourself and with that expanded viewpoint you'd never think yourself as inadequate or not very smart, ever! You would know more time and practice is needed for you to learn and master the subject.
How do you imagine you'd feel about yourself if you were freed of those judgments about yourself? Happier? Content? If this seems like a foreign concept then you have been limited by this culturally based inaccurate expectation!
You would also see the ripple effect of this expanded viewpoint as you'd see other people this way too. Just imagine how that would show up in your relationships!
Beth
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