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We're making a huge mistake when we see mastery as an end goal. I played band in grade school, pushed myself hard, burnt out, etc. Learning classical piano as

We're making a huge mistake when we see mastery as an end goal. I played band in grade school, pushed myself hard, burnt out, etc. Learning classical piano as an adult has been a MASSIVELY instructive experience. Here's why: I'm never going to be a professional classical pianist. Ever. It's far too competitive, I'm probably not talented enough, and it's not worth the effort. Therefore, the ONLY reason I'm doing it is to find enjoyment and engage in the process of discovery. So it's clear to me that if I find my ego seeping in, it means I'm missing the point and sabotaging my real goals. Enjoying the process is such a better way to engage with a skill. I'm having a great time and still getting much better (because getting better is simply a matter of consistency and good practice). But saying "I'm going to practice 10k hours and then I will be happy" is like saying "I am only going to enjoy this hike after I've completed it." Friends: there's nothing enjoyable about the end of a journey, beyond reminiscing on the fun you had along the way.

hinkley 5y ago
> We're making a huge mistake when we see mastery as an end goal. Agreed. If you look even more pessimistically at this, it's also how workers get exploited by owners. You've attached your identity to something, making it a giant lever. I can push on that pain point to motivate you or to neg you into accepting less money for the work.
duxup 5y ago
I go to a lot of college football games. (i'm going to put cte concerns aside here for a bit) Most of those players have zero chance at a professional career, many by their final season know it. And yet they push themselves to achieve / try achieve great things or at least things they never thought they could. I rushed the field for a game last year, talked to players who were ecstatic mingling among the fans / celebrating. I like to think that benefits them / even me.
Melatonic 5y ago
You can view mastery as an end goal and still enjoy it - you just have to be willing to do it a bit slower.
- asdfman123 5y ago
  Well, sure. Mastery is definitely my end goal, and it's worthwhile one. But my goal isn't to make money or receive acclaim. I guess the most important part is not caring about how it will "reflect" on you or what others will think: that is, trying to reduce the amount of ego goes into it. It's a subtle distinction. But in my experience once ego takes over, the more subtle enjoyment can fade away and it can become tied to your self-worth, which can be miserable. I mean, yeah, goals are still important, but you still have to respect the journey.
- hinkley 5y ago
  I knew a guy who achieved I think a 3 dan status in Go having started somewhere north of 45 yo, which the common wisdom says can’t be done. It’s always a matter of finding internal motivation. We get better at talking ourselves out of it as we get older.
  - asdfman123 5y ago
    I think you just get less hungry for learning/skill acquisition when you're older. When you're in school it feels vitally important to learn/get good at X. But as an adult it's much easier to take it or leave it.

hinkley 5y ago

> We're making a huge mistake when we see mastery as an end goal. Agreed. If you look even more pessimistically at this, it's also how workers get exploited by owners. You've attached your identity to something, making it a giant lever. I can push on that pain point to motivate you or to neg you into accepting less money for the work.

duxup 5y ago

I go to a lot of college football games. (i'm going to put cte concerns aside here for a bit) Most of those players have zero chance at a professional career, many by their final season know it. And yet they push themselves to achieve / try achieve great things or at least things they never thought they could. I rushed the field for a game last year, talked to players who were ecstatic mingling among the fans / celebrating. I like to think that benefits them / even me.

Melatonic 5y ago

You can view mastery as an end goal and still enjoy it - you just have to be willing to do it a bit slower.

asdfman123 5y ago
Well, sure. Mastery is definitely my end goal, and it's worthwhile one. But my goal isn't to make money or receive acclaim. I guess the most important part is not caring about how it will "reflect" on you or what others will think: that is, trying to reduce the amount of ego goes into it. It's a subtle distinction. But in my experience once ego takes over, the more subtle enjoyment can fade away and it can become tied to your self-worth, which can be miserable. I mean, yeah, goals are still important, but you still have to respect the journey.
hinkley 5y ago
I knew a guy who achieved I think a 3 dan status in Go having started somewhere north of 45 yo, which the common wisdom says can’t be done. It’s always a matter of finding internal motivation. We get better at talking ourselves out of it as we get older.
- asdfman123 5y ago
  I think you just get less hungry for learning/skill acquisition when you're older. When you're in school it feels vitally important to learn/get good at X. But as an adult it's much easier to take it or leave it.