014312417X
Robert Greene
Notes
First, you must see your attempt at attaining mastery as something extremely necessary and positive…Second, you must convince yourself of the following: people get the mind and quality of brain that they deserve through their actions in life.
When you are faced with deficiencies instead of strengths and inclinations, this is the strategy you must assume: ignore your weaknesses and resist the temptation to be more like others. Instead, like Temple Grandin, direct yourself toward the small things you are good at.
Do not envy those who seem to be naturally gifted; it is often a curse, as such types rarely learn the value of diligence and focus, and they pay for this later in life.
…you must think of three essential steps in your apprenticeship, each one overlapping the other. These steps are:
- Deep Observation (The Passive Mode)
- Skills Acquisition (The Practice Mode)
- Experimentation (The Active Mode)
The greatest mistake you can make in the initial months of your apprenticeship is to imagine that you have to get attention, impress people, and prove yourself…the reality of the Apprenticeship Phase—no one is really going to help you or give you direction.
Your goal is always to surpass your mentors in mastery and brilliance.
The reason you require a mentor is simple: Life is short; you have only so much time and so much energy to expend.
The most effective attitude to adopt is one of supreme acceptance. The world is full of people with different characters and temperaments. We all have a dark side, a tendency to manipulate, and aggressive desires.
If you are doing work for a superior, be prepared for them to take full credit and leave your name out (this is a part of everyone’s apprenticeship and must be accepted as such), but do not let this happen with colleagues.
…it is always best to choose a task that is slightly above you, one that might be considered ambitious on your part.