[ Mastery ]

Of the four factors that a successful career can be built on (mastery, autonomy, impact, and connection), mastery might be the trickiest but most important one.

Mastery is getting better at things that matter.  This means stretching ourselves beyond the basics.  But what makes this tricky, obviously, is the need first to master the basics before taking on the next level.  It’s often tempting to accept a role or project that is beyond our current mastery.  And we are also often encouraged to do just that. So, the tricky balance is to stretch but not leap ahead.  Finding support helps.