In Body of Work: Finding the Thread That Ties Your Story Together, Pamela Slim explains how to develop what she characterizes as a “mastery mind-set,” she observes: “When you focus on mastering your chosen craft, many opportunities open up for you. In today’s world of hacks, shortcuts, and instant money-making blueprints, I think we have lost appreciation for slow-brewing mastery in our work.

“Through the years, I have worked with many martial artists, cultural leaders, and business mentors who have taught me that trying to finish first in a shirt race is not only stressful, it also works against developing deep expertise.

“Here are eleven ways to develop a mastery mind-set”:

1. Learn patience:
2. Practice the basics:
3. Appreciate the source of your materials:
4. Deconstruct everything:
5. Set boundaries:
6. Make your space holy:
7. Cultivate your voice:
8. Swallow your pride:
9. Punch through the bag:
10. When imitated, don’t retaliate, innovate:
11. Think like a scientist:

“Once you begin to cultivate a mastery mind-set, life allows down and you appreciate the delicious nuance3s of every moment. And when you sink into a way of living, you may begin to realize that mastery is not even the end goal.”

I presume to add that Alan Watts’ The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are, would be an ideal companion when reading Pamela Slim’s book as well as during the process of developing a mastery mind-set.