An aspect of incremental progression that people do not always appreciate is the idea of sustainable training. Sustainable training is an important aspect of mastery that addresses the fact that whatever you do to attain mastery must be continued if you wish to maintain mastery. Binge training to achieve a short term goal does not always serve long term mastery ambitions. If mastery over your lifetime is the goal, your training regime must be sustainable over your lifetime.
This time of year is when I find myself thinking about sustainable training, incremental progression, and mastery a lot. Of course my thoughts are drawn this direction because this is the time of year my black belt candidates are finalizing their preparations for their black belt grading.
It is difficult to maintain a clear perspective on mastery when a deadline, such as a black belt grading date, is added to the mix. The second a due date is put in front of you, it becomes almost impossible to not panic as you notice the gaping holes in your knowledge and skill. It is important at this time to remind yourself that mastery is an infinite journey, not a final destination.
Approaching your training as a continuous journey will reinforce the ideas of incremental progression and sustainable training. If your goal is to earn a black belt, keep moving forward and you will eventually amass the skill and knowledge necessary to earn the rank. Training in an unsustainable way may help you earn your black belt but that approach will not help you maintain the knowledge and skill after you earn the rank.
The priceless value of mastery is yours if you embrace mastery’s process and not just the accolades that come with it.
“Accolades are there to congratulate you but also to make you understand that it's not over. You now have to continue trying to improve the craft and keep going. It's not something to rest on.” - Joe Morton (b. 1947)
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