Priority

The word 'priority' entered the English language in the 14th century, originally meaning 'that which goes before.' For over 500 years, it was used only in the singular form, emphasizing a unique focus. It wasn't until the 19th century that 'priorities' started to be used in the plural. (Etymonline – Priority, Greg McKeown's Essentialism Reference) Today, we casually talk about having "priorities," yet the essence of true mastery lies in reclaiming that singular focus. For a deeper exploration of how simplifying and focusing can transform your business, look at The True Time Cost of Running a Business. Masters know this. They don't juggle multiple priorities. They have the priority—the one that goes first, always.

When I think about the journey of mastery, what truly sets masters apart is not necessarily talent, but their relentless commitment to that one priority. It’s this singularity of purpose that deepens their craft, allowing them to expand their influence without becoming diluted. They focus on what matters most in their field—whether that’s honing their art, gathering new insights, or sharing knowledge with those ready to learn.

The True Way of Working: Mastery Itself

I’ve often thought of my work as a business mentor as being about the individuals I help and the support I offer. But a recent conversation helped me see things differently. My true way of working isn’t just mentoring; it’s mastery—understanding what it takes to strive towards mastery and supporting others as they make their own journey of mastery. Mastery is not a method or a set of tasks; it’s a way of being. The pursuit itself is what carries me forward and what I share with those I support.

It also made me think about how mastery feels on the inside compared to how others see it from the outside. This duality is discussed more in Competition vs. Collaboration, where we explore the benefits of shifting perspectives in business. From the inside, mastery requires intentionality and hard work. It’s the daily practice, the small but vital decisions, the persistence through challenges. From the outside, however, it appears polished. It looks like a smooth flow of skill, something that seems effortless and almost impossible to emulate. Lewis Hamilton once said, 'The road to success is always under construction. Success is not about being the best but about being better than you were yesterday. This aligns directly with the journey of mastery—it’s about making continuous strides, not aiming for an ultimate "best" which implies a final destination, but embracing "better" as a lifelong journey of growth and improvement.' (Lewis Hamilton Quote) Recognizing these different perspectives helps us appreciate both the journey and the result. For those who observe a master, the work looks beautiful and complete, but the master knows it is always a work in progress.

Bill, a former mentor, taught me that during economic downturns, most businesses cut costs and retreat. However, the ones that thrived chose to invest in their best projects and focus on quality. By staying committed to what mattered most, these companies emerged stronger. Bill's lesson was clear: true growth often comes from maintaining focus and improving quality, not from reacting out of fear.

Preparing for Disruptions Like a Master

One of the most significant differences between experts and masters is how they navigate disruptions. In any journey, external events—unexpected losses, health crises, sudden changes—will throw us off course. Equally, there will be internal disruptions when that little voice in our head questions our worth or our ability to succeed. Masters don’t ignore disruptions; they plan for them. They anticipate challenges and think through their responses in advance.

By preparing simple strategies, they stay grounded and effective during adversity.

We can't predict these challenges, but we can prepare for them when we are in a rational, calm state. What will we do if we suddenly face a significant life change? How will we react when our mind starts to undermine our efforts? Instead of waiting to be blindsided, masters create straightforward contingency plans. These plans focus on basic questions: What are the facts? Who can I trust for advice? What action can I take right now? This approach, which I discuss further in The Journey to Mastery: Moving Beyond Expertise, emphasizes strategic growth through intentional preparation. Planning for disruptions helps us stay focused during uncertainty.

One helpful approach is cognitive reappraisal, a psychological strategy where we reinterpret stress-inducing situations to reduce their emotional impact. Similarly, pre-commitment strategies—often discussed in behavioural economics—can be used to make rational decisions in advance, ensuring that we have a plan ready when stress hits. It’s about having a strategy that reminds us of what matters most—our priority—so we can adjust without losing our way entirely. Just like a ship at sea has to adjust its sails to the wind, we, too, need to make these adjustments, knowing that the destination remains unchanged.

Internal Disruptions: Mastering the Mind

The internal voice that questions our ability is a powerful disruption. Masters handle these doubts by drawing on insights from various experiences—whether from life lessons or unrelated fields—to maintain perspective. They know setbacks and doubts are a natural part of growth, and they use these broader perspectives to stay on course. Consider The Art of Expanding Mastery: Pushing Boundaries in Business to see how this mindset plays out in everyday business scenarios. Rather than being derailed, they use these insights to stay focused. Though many negative thoughts feel real in the moment, masters recognize them as false. They prepare for these moments of doubt and address them directly.

They ask themselves questions like: What are the facts here? How can I verify them? Masters plan for those inevitable days when self-doubt takes over. They make decisions in advance about how to handle that doubt—decisions rooted in clarity and rationality. By doing so, they prevent temporary emotions from derailing their progress.

Suggestions:

• Identify Your Priority: Choose one daily priority, moving you closer to mastery. Avoid trying to juggle too many tasks.
• Prepare for Disruptions: Expect both internal and external disruptions. Create simple plans for how you will handle them. Anticipate the principle, not the detail—focus on the general challenges you may face and how you might respond rather than over-planning specifics.
• Practice Cognitive Reappraisal: When faced with a challenge, try to reinterpret it positively to reduce stress and maintain focus.
• Stay Committed to the Journey: Mastery is a lifelong pursuit. Focus on continuous improvement, not perfection.

Mastery in Practice: A Singular Priority

The essence of mastery is focus. It is not about juggling multiple priorities. Instead, it is about calm, intentional dedication to the one thing that truly matters today. It’s about showing up, working on that priority, and allowing room for the unexpected while staying committed to the journey.

As we think about our paths to mastery, perhaps the first step is to decide: What is my priority today? Not my “priorities,” but the one thing that would move me closer to mastery if I focused on it. Then, plan for external and internal disruptions that might come your way, knowing that they are part of the process. Mastery isn’t about avoiding the storms; it’s about learning to navigate through them while staying true to what matters most.

Photo by Lena Taranenko on Unsplash