Are You The Master of Your Domain ?

Are You Master of Your Domain?

Every entrepreneur has the potential to be Master of his or her domain. Thoughts on the journey, inspired by George Leonard’s book “Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment.”|

Mastery: Possession of consummate skill (American Heritage Dictionary)

For those who are considered “Masters” of their craft or profession, the skill they possess seems natural, as if they were born doing it. They demonstrate confidence that appears effortless. And they operate at a different level, seeming to “travel light,” without dragging a load of fear, uncertainty and doubt behind them.

In fact, none of that is true.

What is Mastery? And what does Entrepreneurial Mastery look like?

First, let’s look at what Mastery is not.

Perfection: If your goal is to be perfect, you will sacrifice creativity, passion and connection.

Natural: Masters do not come into this world at full capacity. “Natural” talent isn’t a sure indicator of success; sometimes, it’s a pitfall if it means being slow to recognize when support is needed.

Obsession: Our society is highly goal oriented. This can lead to a quick-fix, get-it-now attitude that encourages us to have obsessive focus on attainment and instant gratification.

Recognition: Those on the Mastery journey are not seeking fame, fortune or public recognition. Rewards may come as a result of their work, yet they are not the main objective.

Fearlessness: Masters are not without fear. They simply know how to channel their energy and turn fear into curiosity or excitement.

So, what’s left?

Trust: Mastery involves fully embracing the process of learning and refining a skill. Whether it’s closing a sale, bringing a product or service to market or achieving the next level of certification, the Master understands and trusts that ups and downs are a natural part of the process.

Confidence: Mastery is worn with ease and grace. There’s no arrogance or hording of information; the Master works in a collaborative spirit, easily giving and receiving. When fear arises, he or she chooses to observe, not obsess. Confidence comes from moving through fear, not from denying it.

Passion: Above all, the path of Mastery requires passion. The road from mediocre to Mastery is paved with an undeniable need to express yourself through special skills or knowledge. It’s not enough to skim the surface; you need to dive in deep and immerse yourself. You accept the minutiae along with the magic.

Patience: Every Master’s journey includes stretches on the plateau. These are the times in between upward surges, when it feels as though you’re getting nowhere. I recognize when my coaching clients are on a plateau; they say they want “more, faster” or that they’re “stuck.” We think that if we’re not moving up, there’s something we need to fix. The Master recognizes these cycles and makes the most of the plateau to reflect, celebrate, plan, recharge, practice… all of which leads to the next “up” in the cycle.

As outlined in George Leonard’s book, “Mastery,” there are five elements that define the Master’s path. His examples lean heavily on his personal experiences with Aikido and other physical pursuits. Here, we look at these elements as they pertain to the path of Entrepreneurial Mastery.

1) Instruction

In order to be a Master, one must first (and always) be a student. A teacher can take many forms: accountability partner, mentor, advisor, coach. Look for someone who is ready and willing to partner with you. Think about people you admire on the local and national stage; what would it take to learn directly from them? The key is to surround yourself with people who are succeeding at the level you want to succeed.

2) Practice

Leonard uses this word as a noun: to have a practice and enjoy its evolution. If you consider your business a practice, you are embracing the process and enjoying the “means,” letting go of the “ends.” Does that mean that you forget about goals? Not necessarily; as you fully immerse yourself in the journey and give it your full commitment, achievements will happen. And when they happen, they are part of the practice. They represent your skill and dedication. Then, they inform the next level of your practice. Leonard refers to this as “staying on the mat.” You continually, consistently practice for the sake of practice itself.

3) Surrender

Another word for surrender in Mastery is trust. First and foremost, trust yourself and your process. When I don’t trust, I can feel it. Things are forced. I grow impatient. I get sucked down the hole of “what if?” and give away energy to my gremlins (a.k.a. fear!). What does it look like to trust yourself? You release attachment to the outcome and focus more on your intention and process. This allows you to learn from every situation, every sale, every client and every loss. You are able to feel gratitude for what you’ve accomplished and for the success to come, whatever form it takes.

Another point Leonard makes is that Masters are willing to look like a fool! Understand and be at peace with the fact that Mastery isn’t a ladder you climb; it’s a web. You move up, down, sideways, sometimes all in the same day. At some point, you might fall completely off the web and smack on your butt. Masters get back up and try again. They trust themselves and their path. My mantra for these times: “Everything is happening perfectly.”

4) Intentionality

Intentionality and visualization is something I’ve practiced for more than 20 years. When I was in high school and college, I used to sit in the hallway before class with my clarinet music, staring at it and mentally rehearsing. I could hear the music, feel my fingers on the keys, imagine where I’d take breaths. This simple action always improved my performance when I was able to actually practice. Setting an intention and having a clear vision of where you’re headed is critical to Mastery. It’s the mental game, and it’s where the action is. Simply put, setting an intention is giving conscious, positive, focused attention on the experience you want to have. Set it in your mind, then set it free.

5) The Edge

The Edge is a dedication to the basics while still pushing the envelope. The Mastery path involves taking risks and challenging previous limits. This is where surrender and goals seem to collide. How can you let go of the outcome and also set goals to push past the limits? It’s a balancing act, and the ability to set those goals comes out of instruction, practice, surrender and intentionality. Once The Edge has been successfully navigated, you acknowledge your achievement and go right back to the mat.

Why Mastery Can Be Elusive

At this point you may be thinking, “Hey, Mastery is for me! Sign me up!” You put on your crash helmet and are ready to roll. You start out strong, and the hills don’t seem so steep. Up Up Up. Then, plateau. You may feel resistance, like you’re riding into the wind. Part of this is homeostasis. This is the body and mind’s desire to be in a state of equilibrium. In terms of biological functions, this is a good thing. However, when we look at its effect on the process of stretching into new habits and skills, it can be a barrier. The key to moving through homeostasis is awareness and negotiation. Notice, without judgment, when resistance is present. Recognize that it’s part of your process and not a signal of failure or weakness. The worst thing you can do is ignore the resistance and “power through.” Instead, become curious and ask, “What’s the information here?” Use the answer to make your next move. Most importantly, stay on the mat. Take comfort in the words of Confucius: “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”

How Mastery Can Be Energizing

Remember the opening of Newton’s First Law of Motion: “An object in motion will stay in motion.” When you’re on the path to Mastery, you are an object in motion (see Confucius, above). The energy-building tips Leonard offers are tried-and-true: take good physical care of yourself, prioritize, take action, build a support network, make a commitment and stay on the path. Another requires new ways of thinking: accentuate the positive while acknowledging the negative. Some say giving any attention to the negative gives it power; on the contrary, recognizing the negative disempowers it and provides an opportunity for course corrections. Face a truth, call out a limiting or false belief for what it is, and stay in motion.

These ideas can be applied to a variety of “domains”: sports, health, hobbies, relationships… anything you want to experience with skill and confidence. Since our concern is business, I invite you to think about your business domain and your opportunity for a Master’s journey. What does Mastery look like for you? And is 2010 the year you become Master of Your Domain?

As a Certified Professional Coach, Beth helps clients from around the country gain clarity in their lives and move from intention to inspired action. She offers personal coaching, workshops and retreats and is a Living Your Vision® Licensed Facilitator.