The Time is Now

The Time is Now.

“Mastery starts as a spark, a desire to move.”

Mastery asks us to proceed regardless of the outcome.  Mastery asks us to harness the process, the immediate task of getting going and of learning.  It asks us, finally, to keep going against odds, against instinct, against opinion, until we become what it is we set out to be, a master.

We are very influenced by story.  We like to build beautiful stories about all aspects of life: about both ourselves and others.  The type of story to which we are most exposed is what famous screen writer Robert McKee calls an “archplot.”

Very briefly, an archplot is about a character who sets out on a journey, has a hard time, gets tested, passes the tests and brings home the bacon.  We’re fed this story almost every movie outing and I would guess most of us approach our life with this model in mind.

Out of this classic mold, the “miniplot” (a minimalist archplot) and the ”antiplot” are born.  The antiplot is one of those films that kicks the archplot in the face, a bit like the film “Seven” with Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Spacey.  If you haven’t seen it, it doesn’t end well in the classic sense.  We tend to hope that the antiplot is not how our lives will go.

“No!  That’s not supposed to happen!”

Both movies deal with adversity.  Lots of adversity.  In the archplot the adversity makes some sense.  The bad things will come, the hero will find what they need, deep down after much pain and then overcome, heading towards a sequel or four…

In the antiplot however, chaos reigns, the Universe isn’t so predictable and our hero’s efforts aren’t the comfy insurance plan for success we would like to expect. There is no linear expectation of what is going to occur.  A darker movie to bear.  We want our popcorn money back.

“Seriously, I took a loan out on that popcorn.”

Our protagonist, or us, can really make use of three concepts in either of these instances.  Regardless of how predictable or chaotic the journey is, these three tenets apply to becoming a master.

Get Going.  Proceed to action when you have enough information; don’t overcook it. We’re hardwired to sense progress towards mastery, we all did it learning to move as babies.  Jump start your mission by performing small related and relevant tasks towards your aim, ASAP.  You’ll generate a sense of reward as you do so.

Recognize and Use your Strengths.  In the Hunger Games films, all the kids run towards a bag of weapons and grab what they can.  It’s shovel against crossbow and, like animals, they each must develop and harness the skills they possess to affect the outcome — their survival.  Lever your strengths and cover other bases.  I’m good at lifting things and chilling out.  I like weight training and meditating.  I’m not going to spend much time doing step aerobics and crossword puzzles.  Know what you’re good at and develop it.

“Choose your weapon…”

Aim for Experience.  In our archplot and antiplot examples, one thing is for sure, they’re both learning, they’re both having an experience. One ends well and the other might not, yet they’re both meaningful, fulfilling and have, above all else, purpose.  Experiences are valuable.  Move towards the kinds of experience that you want that allow you to harness and develop your strengths as soon as you can, no matter the situation.

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