Step 1: Imitate the best, until you get consistent results.

Step 2: Learn how to make finer and finer distinctions, until you can clearly see how and why each approach works in each situation.

Step 3: Learn to assign higher and lower values to behaviors, results, mistakes to create an internal system that will guide you.

Step 4: Learn to create variations of great ideas and to combine great elements of great ideas to evolve improved versions.

Step 5: Learn to innovate, design and create new things that have superior value LAST.

(All credits go to David D 2004)

“Start with something simple. Try touching your forehead with your hand.

Ah, that’s easy, automatic. Nothing to it. But there was a time when you were as far removed from the master of that simple skill as a nonpianist is from playing a Beethoven sonata.

First, you had to learn to control the movements of your hands (you were just a baby then) and somehow get them to move where you wanted them to. You had to learn to develop some sort of kinaesthetic “image” of your body so that you could know the relationship between your forehead and other parts of your body. You had to learn to match this image with the visual image of an adult’s body. You had to learn how to mimic your mother’s actions. Momentous stuff, make no mistake about it. And we haven’t even yet considered the matter of language…

You learned an essential skill. What’s more important, you learned about learning. You started with some difficult and made it easy and pleasurable through instruction and practice. You took a master’s journey. And if you could learn to touch your forehead, you can learn to play a Beethoven sonata, or fly a jet plane, to be a better manager, or improve your relationships. Our current society works in many ways to lead us astray, but the path of mastery is always there, waiting for us.” - excerpt from Mastery by George Leonard