Sarah Lewis: Embrace the near win

Summary

This speech explores the difference between success and mastery, emphasizing that mastery is a continuous journey of improvement, not a final destination. Through examples from art, sports, and history, the speaker illustrates how 'near wins'—moments just shy of success—serve as powerful motivators, driving individuals toward further growth. The message underscores that true mastery is found in the persistent pursuit of excellence, even in the face of imperfection and incompletion, transforming failure into an opportunity for continual learning and development.

Takeaways

• 😀 Success is a moment, but mastery is a continuous pursuit. Creativity and growth are more important than fleeting achievements.
• 😀 The concept of a 'near win' plays a crucial role in motivating individuals to improve and push forward.
• 😀 Mastery is not about perfection but about the constant effort to improve and learn from near wins and setbacks.
• 😀 Elizabeth Murray’s reflection on her early works demonstrates that even artists with great success may view their creations as incomplete.
• 😀 Watching a group of varsity archers highlighted the difference between hitting a target once (success) and repeatedly achieving excellence (mastery).
• 😀 The pursuit of mastery involves sacrifice for one's craft, not for the sake of career advancement or external validation.
• 😀 Even famous artists like Cézanne, Kafka, and Michelangelo saw their works as unfinished, showing that near wins can be part of a larger, ongoing creative process.
• 😀 Olympic athletes experience frustration after narrowly missing victory, which can fuel their tenacity for future success.
• 😀 The gambling industry exploits the 'near win' phenomenon, using it to keep players engaged and motivated to continue trying.
• 😀 The Dunning-Kruger effect suggests that as we gain more knowledge, we realize how little we know, propelling us to continue learning and striving for mastery.
• 😀 In Navajo culture, the deliberate inclusion of imperfections in craftsmanship symbolizes the idea of an 'unfinished' work, encouraging continuous creativity and growth.

Q & A

What was the speaker's first job, and what did they learn from it?

The speaker's first job was at the Museum of Modern Art, where they worked on a retrospective of painter Elizabeth Murray. From this experience, they learned about the creative process, including how artists like Murray view their own work and how success and creativity are intertwined.

How did the speaker view success and creativity after speaking with Elizabeth Murray?

The speaker realized that success is a fleeting moment, but creativity and mastery are continuous. The discussion with Murray helped the speaker understand that the pursuit of mastery, which involves a series of near wins, is more important than achieving success.

What is the concept of 'archer's paradox' and how does it relate to mastery?

'Archer's paradox' refers to the idea that to hit a target accurately, one must aim slightly off from the target. The speaker relates this to mastery by suggesting that in the pursuit of excellence, one must sometimes veer away from perfection to truly hone their craft.

How does the speaker differentiate between success and mastery?

The speaker argues that success is an event, a moment in time that society labels as achievement. Mastery, on the other hand, is an ongoing pursuit, not a singular goal, and it involves constant striving and improvement without the expectation of perfection.

What role do 'near wins' play in the pursuit of mastery?

Near wins—moments where one comes close to achieving a goal but falls short—are essential for the development of mastery. They provide motivation and clarity, pushing individuals to refine their skills and strive for continuous improvement.

What does the speaker mean by the phrase 'the difference between success and mastery'?

The speaker suggests that success is achieving something specific, like hitting the 'ten ring' in archery, but mastery is the ability to consistently achieve that success over time, recognizing that each success is just a part of a larger, never-ending journey.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of 'unfinished' work in the creative process?

The speaker highlights how many great creators, like Cézanne and Kafka, saw their works as incomplete, which underscores the idea that true mastery involves constantly pushing towards an ideal that can never fully be realized. This 'unfinished' quality is central to the pursuit of excellence.

How does the example of Olympic silver medalists and bronze medalists illustrate the power of near wins?

The speaker uses a study showing that silver medalists, who are often more disappointed by not winning gold, are more motivated to improve for future competitions. This sense of near success fuels their desire for further achievement, highlighting how near wins can drive continuous progress.

How does the gambling industry's use of 'near wins' relate to human psychology?

The gambling industry capitalizes on the psychological impact of near wins by designing scratch-off tickets that provide frequent near-wins to encourage continued play. This phenomenon taps into the human tendency to be driven by the pursuit of a goal that feels within reach.

What insight does the speaker offer regarding the deliberate imperfection in Navajo craftsmanship?

The speaker discusses how some Navajo craftsmen deliberately include imperfections in their work, known as 'spirit lines.' These flaws are meant to provide a way out for the creator, as well as a reason to continue creating, which mirrors the ongoing pursuit of mastery.