Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment

by George Leonard

Book Overview

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...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0452267560
• ISBN13: 9780452267565
• Release Date: February 1992
• Publisher: Plume Books
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.0" x 7.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

The path to master is difficult, but doable

This book is a great starting point to mastering any given skill in your life. It outlines the path, process, and destination of mastery for nearly anything you wish to pursue. A great read for anyone at any point in their lives

10,000 hours

If you want to master a skill or subject, it requires dedication and 10,000 hours. You must take leaps, accept failures, and constantly improve yourself. Seek advice, mentorship, and work smart (not hard) every day. Personally, I see this in sports. Years ago in a soccer camp, a coach had said "if you do not play 10,000 hours of soccer you can not become a pro". You must up every aspect of your game. When you're good at one part, move onto the next. Ask what needs to be done and do it!

Excellent advice for skill building

I've owned this book a couple of times. There are a lot of self-help books out there and this is one that I've found useful for developing any kind of skill, because Leonard accurately describes not only the necessary steps but also the common detours and pitfalls and how to avoid them.

Honor Your Life

Are you one of those people who allows your goal or goals to dominate your life? And once your goals are achieved, do you think of your achievements as, "no big deal?" While the author describes 5 keys to long-term success and fulfillment,as: 1. Instruction; 2. Practice; 3. Surrender; 4. Intentionality; and, 5. The Edge - Push the envelop. 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 (The "I am" stage); 21. Being willing to look foolish; 22. Maintaining flexibility in your strategy, and in your actions; 23. A journey; and, 24. Determination Apply this to everything in your life, to claim your authentic self.

the truth about power

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.

Though Published in 1992--Still Way Ahead of its Time!

An easy read that you will share with your friends, family, and business associates. You will learn that todays business focus of "bottom-line" thinking and activity is really destructive and is non-value added in the long-term. In order to get to mastery, whether it's your golf game or family relationships--you must be continuously practicing (learning). When using "bottom-line" thinking--you learn only enough to solve your current problem--and you believe your successful. However, how many times do we have to go back and re-fix or address the problem. If we master the problem (thoroughly understanding it)--we can fix the problem right the first time, completely understanding all the connections. I am convinced this is the book that led Tom Peters to write the "Reinventing Work" series. A great book--you will want to start a reading club / discussion group over this one.

Learning the Path

George Leonard may have used Akido as a masterful allusion of life, or any real challenge in it, but his lessons are universal. Being a three time survivor of brain surgery, I have applied his teachings toward mastering my own path and use his terminology regularly. His explanation of homeostasis and how it prevents us from making definitive change in our lives is the essence of the book. Mastering a change in homeostasis is, in fact, what it's really all about. This book will literally change your life and how you see the things in it. Get on your Path, whatever that is.