Become a Master
Don’t you marvel at people who are extremely talented? While many are good at their profession there are only a handful who are truly outstanding in any field and have that special gift. Each of them are driven to become a master and to be a master craftsman in their profession. They are the ones that push the envelope advancing their field in the process.
Such individuals make what they do seem so easy – sometimes so easy that their talent is not always fully appreciated. But, behind the scenes these individuals are busily perfecting their craft through hours of practice and preparation. They have a relentless passion to be the best they can be and seek continuous improvement. They are not afraid to say they are not as good as they can become.
“What is a master but a master student? And if that’s true, then there’s a responsibility on you to keep getting better and to explore avenues of your profession.” Neil Peart – drummer for Rush considered by many drummers and music lovers as one the great rock-n-roll drummers of all time.
The video below provides a little taste of Neil Peart’s skill (and 360º drum set) as well as that of Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson both of whom are considered highly accomplished musicians as well.
Masters That Inspire
The highest purpose of art is to inspire. What else can you do? What else can you do for any one but inspire them? Bob Dylan
Inspiring other goes beyond the arts. It’s one reason we are all here – to inspire others. And, one of the best ways to do that is to be the best you and become a master at the one thing that drives your passion. Being a master means being a role model and setting an example to inspire and help bring out the best in others. And, as Neil Peart implies setting that example invariably involves being a continuous student at your profession – maintaining an eager fascination to learn all that can be learned as you pull those that follow you along for the ride.
We should be become so good at something that we inspire others to want to excel.
You Can’t Become a Master Overnight
Mastering a skill takes time – a lot of time and training. It is felt by many that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become truly proficient at a skill. You really need to want something badly to put in that amount of time. Are you willing to put in 10,000 hours to master your craft or profession?
Be So Good They Can’t Ignore You
Be so good they can’t ignore you. Steve Martin
If I asked which musical group or band is third only behind The Beatles and The Rolling Stones for the most consecutive gold and platinum albums (24 and 14 respectively) a vast majority would name a group other than the correct group. The correct answer is Rush.
For whatever reason Rush has been ignored by the musical power brokers, but among many musicians and their cult-like loyal fan base they are considered to be among the most technically proficient group of musicians and creative lyricists around.
I did not know much about Rush until a patient of mine who is a former professional musician and I were discussing our favorite rock and roll groups and he mentioned he considered Rush to be technically the most precise group of musicians in rock and roll. Turns out he is not alone. Less than a week later another patient of mine who works for the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) said the very same thing of Rush and directed me to a Netflix documentary on Rush produced in 2010. It’s most fascinating.
They are very much a group other musicians respect and they are not your sterotypical rock group. Through its 40 plus years as a band Rush has remained true to itself and it’s music. They never sold out for more commercial success. They’ve simply focused on perfecting their skill and exploring new ways to make music. It’s remarkable that three musicians generate the sound of an orchestra.
It wasn’t until 2013 that Rush was finally recognized and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Eventually their talent stood out no longer able to be ignored. They are and have been so good so long with inventive styles of playing music people finally had to take notice. Competency, proficiency, and excellence eventually wins (except not always in politics).
Become a master, be a master. Be so good that some day – eventually – it becomes impossible to ignore you. And, inspire others along the way!
