How To Master Anything
by William Beaver

Let us assume for the sake of example you wish to master a physical skill like playing tennis. Let us also suppose that you already have a degree of skill with the basics and want to become much better.

The first step then is to identify your strengths and weaknesses. To do this, you must have something to compare yourself to, which we will call the standards of the game. Every skill has a set of standards, which serve as signposts of excellence.

More importantly, someone always embodies those standards of excellence. So your next step is to choose a role model, someone whom you feel has already achieved the level of mastery you wish to attain. Don't make this a logical choice of sitting down and evaluating everything the person does. Choose from your gut the person you instinctively like to watch play.

Now that you have a role model, the next step is to identify the master keys involved in your skill. Master keys are those specific and easily identified elements which contribute to achieving excellence. The master keys can usually be found in a book about your particular subject.

A book or video on tennis will mostly likely include the master keys needed to perfect your game. After watching your role model for a long time, you will also identify variations on master keys which he has innovated for himself. You have to then compare the way you play with the accepted standards of excellence.

The next step in mastering anything is long arduous practice of the basics, whatever they are. Excellence is not the result of conscious thought, it is the byproduct of making the perfect performance of the basic skills an ingrained part of yourself.

There is a saying: practice does not make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect. You must reexamine the way you play, always trying to correct your weakpoints. One weakness in your chain of skills will cause your level of mastery to suffer considerably.

Consistent attention to the master keys and endless practice will inevitably carry you to a higher level of excellence, but judging whether you have mastered the skills can only be done by others. The one thing you do have control over is your own individual style.

Style is not something consciously attained either, but it is the result of you leaving your own indelible mark on the skill. You may never play better than some, and will always play better than others. What matters the most is your love of what you are doing. You must learn to be content with your own pursuit of excellence in whatever you choose, recognizing that achieving mastery will not be done quickly.