Steve Jobs was known as a man of great inventions through consistent mastery of his skills. He was an American businessman, a co-founder of Apple, and was widely recognised as a charismatic pioneer of the computer revolution. His company was (and still is) one of the most valuable in the world.
He was obviously a rare talent and a man of mastery. He died over 12 years ago, and all the gadgets he invented are still in vogue, from imac to the ipad, a visible evidence of his mastery in the computer world. Upon his death, he was listed as either a co inventor or a primary inventor in 342 United States patents or patent applications related to a range of technologies. That’s the power of mastery!
We live in a world where mastery is the security and the authority we need to gain relevance in every ramification. Mastery entails having a conceptual and deep understanding of the knowledge, the skills, the task, and the basics of one’s field of endeavour. It means acquiring a secure, long-term, and adaptable understanding of a subject, concept, and content and can profoundly demonstrate a skill in it. It is synonymous with expertise, superiority, and gaining control over a subject or a skill.
Mastery is not automatic. It happens in stages. It starts with understanding, to basic competence, to fluency, to creativity, then to mastery. Good is not good enough, mastery is the aim and ultimate focus. In a world of highly competitiveness, only those with a combination of mastered skills are winning.
Mastery entails developing complementary skills in a particular field. It entails being versatile yet skilful. It entails carving out a unique niche within ones area of speciality. It entails knowing the strategic areas to explore and doing well in it. It entails mastery of ones passion and developing skills of network in it.
As a child, as a youth, how well do you progress from novice to mastery? It’s a question of how well not how far. Mastery provokes productivity with great advantage, and it’s greater without one relying on the system for knowledge but on his creative abilities. Anyone who can develop a deep understanding of ideas and concepts beyond the superficial has reached the height of mastery and has become an ally to fame and fortune.
According to Eugene, Wilson, “only the curious will grow and the resolute overcome the obstacles to learning.” Mastery starts from the mind, the curiosity of mind, and the resolution to overcome obstacles. A person whose mind is made up to pursue success from within has conquered 80% of the obstacles to achieve that. Children and youths are encouraged to embrace mastery in any subject, discipline, skill, or profession and make the most of the talents in them through mastery. You may not be a Steve Jobs, but you are talented and need to make the best of your talent.
To that child or youth, ask yourself, are their talents that I have abandoned on the streets of mediocrity? Have I neglected making the most of my skills? Do I use my skills for good? Am I using them to make an impact to the world around me? These questions call for answers through self-examination. It is not too late to chase the path of mastery and make that desired difference.
*BIBLE VERSE*
*1 Corinthians 9:25*
*And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.*
*PROVERB*
*Express yourself earnestly, and you have no reason for shame even if you lack talent*
*Finnish Proverb*
*RIDDLE*
*I am a box who holds keys but not locks. With the right combination I may unlock your soul. What am I?*
*Amara Ann Unachukwu*
