The Journey of Mastery

A long time ago, my dad recommended a book to me called Mastery. I remember the cover had a very classic metaphysical look to it.

Long before Malcom Gladwell, Mastery featured what it took to become an expert in one’s field, as well as how to master one’s self.

My dad has taught me many things. Among the best lessons he passed down was not just a love for reading, but a need — no CRAVING — for constant improvement. I know he got that from his mom, my grandmother. I’m eternally grateful.

I’ve started to notice lately some changes in my coaching approach that can be traced to both Gladwell’s 10,000 hours theory and the general idea behind Mastery.

When I first started coaching, I stuck to an amalgamated philosophy based on the dogma of other coaches. Either tenets I strongly believed in based on experience, or “truisms” that they believed strongly enough in that I figured they must be right.

Now, after a few seasons of coaching experience, I notice that I’m drifting from the dogma of others to formulate my own true approach. For example, I’ve had coaches dismiss the value and importance of cycling cadence, yet experience working with athletes is changing my point of view on the subject. Similarly, I’m backing away from the conventional wisdom that previously led me to avoid prescribing runs longer than 2.5 hours. I’m since learning that some athletes do indeed need those longer runs, whether it’s for physical or mental reasons. I’ve tried to slice and dice high volume running different ways to avoid those taxing longer runs, but sometimes it’s actually the best workout to suggest.

Learning has to come from doing and experiencing, not necessarily hearing and trusting alone. Ya gotta do it yourself.

This is part of a journey towards mastery. Now I’m not indicating that I am a master. Far from it. But I am eagerly on the path to discover what coaching mastery might look and feel like.

I’m excited for what 2020 will bring for Good Wolf and our family of athletes. And I’m just as excited to grow along with the team — ever grateful for them allowing me to continue evolving and walking together on our own paths to mastery.