Mastery

In this section, Greene examines the life and legacy of Leonardo da Vinci, using this narrative to illuminate the concept of an innate guiding force leading individuals towards their Life’s Task. Greene begins by recounting Leonardo’s final days, where, on his deathbed, he reflects on the trajectory of his life. Despite being on the brink of death, Leonardo’s mind is consumed by introspection, pondering the mysterious force that has propelled him throughout his existence. Greene paints a vivid picture of Leonardo’s childhood in Vinci, a village suffused with natural beauty, where the young artist’s innate curiosity and affinity for observation flourished amidst the olive groves and dense forests. It is in these formative years that Leonardo’s connection to nature and his insatiable hunger for understanding the mechanisms of life first begin to manifest.

As Leonardo matures, his artistic talent blossoms, which leads him to the studio of the esteemed Andrea del Verrocchio in Florence. Under Verrocchio’s tutelage, Leonardo’s intellectual curiosity finds expression not only in art but also in the study of various scientific disciplines. Moving on, Greene highlights Leonardo’s penchant for experimentation and innovation, as evidenced by his meticulous anatomical studies and engineering endeavors. Leonardo’s refusal to adhere to convention and his relentless pursuit of knowledge lead him toward mastery in multiple fields of endeavor, transcending the limitations of his time.

Greene delves into pivotal moments in Leonardo’s life, such as his ambitious attempt to create a colossal bronze equestrian statue and his visionary quest to unravel the mysteries of flight. Despite facing obstacles and setbacks, Leonardo remains undeterred, driven by a commitment to his vision and belief in the boundless potential of human ingenuity. Greene underscores Leonardo’s resilience and adaptability, emphasizing his ability to transform adversity into opportunity and to derive inspiration from even the most unexpected sources.

Through da Vinci’s example, Greene elucidates the qualities essential to the pursuit of mastery: self-awareness, relentless curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to embrace failure as an integral part of the learning process. Leonardo’s life illustrates the power of perseverance and the impact of following one’s inner compass in the pursuit of excellence.

Greene expounds on the concept of finding one’s Life’s Task, emphasizing the importance of connecting with one’s innate inclinations and uniqueness to achieve mastery. Greene draws upon the experiences of historical figures such as Napoleon Bonaparte, Socrates, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and Albert Einstein, all of whom acknowledged an inner force or calling guiding them towards their destinies. He underscores the significance of heeding this inner voice, which he describes as one’s vocation, in order to realize one’s full potential.

Moreover, Greene posits that each individual is born with a unique genetic makeup and primal inclinations, which serve as a roadmap to their Life’s Task. However, societal pressures and the desire to conform often lead individuals to silence this inner voice, which results in a disconnect from their authentic selves. To counteract this, Greene advocates for introspection and self-discovery, urging readers to uncover their deepest inclinations and align their career paths accordingly.

Greene suggests viewing work as an extension of one’s vocation rather than a means to an end, emphasizing the importance of finding fulfillment and purpose in one’s professional endeavors. Greene outlines a three-stage process for realizing one’s Life’s Task: reconnecting with one’s inclinations, choosing a career path that resonates with one’s authentic self, and embracing the journey of self-discovery and growth. Ultimately, he posits that fulfilling one’s Life’s Task not only leads to personal fulfillment but also contributes to the collective diversity and evolution of human culture.

The author discusses strategies for finding one’s life’s task by drawing upon examples from the lives of various masters. Firstly, Greene emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with one’s primal inclinations and childhood passions, as they often provide clues to one’s true calling. He illustrates this point through anecdotes about Albert Einstein’s youthful fascination with a compass, Marie Curie’s childhood experiments with laboratory instruments, and John Coltrane’s life-changing experience of witnessing Charlie Parker perform live.

Secondly, Greene argues that mastering a field requires a deep love and connection to the subject, which transcends mere skill or interest. He suggests that individuals should strive to occupy a niche within their chosen field where they can excel and stand out, similar to how V. S. Ramachandran carved out a unique path in visual neuroscience or how Yoky Matsuoka combined her interests in robotics and neuroscience to create the new field of neurobotics.

As strategy number three, Greene warns against pursuing false paths driven by external pressures such as the desire for money or approval, using Mozart’s struggles with his father’s expectations as a cautionary tale. He advises readers to rebel against societal norms and parental expectations if they hinder the pursuit of their true passions: “Your strategy must be twofold: first, to realize as early as possible that you have chosen your career for the wrong reasons, before your confidence takes a hit. And second, to actively rebel against those forces that have pushed you away from your true path” (38).

Greene next discusses the strategy of letting go of the past and adapting oneself to changing circumstances in the face of career setbacks. Through the stories of Freddie Roach and Buckminster Fuller, Greene illustrates how individuals can handle challenges and ultimately achieve mastery in their chosen fields. Groomed from a young age by his boxing champion father, Roach always expected to become a professional boxer himself. When he found that he did not have the physical talent to succeed, it was a professional and psychological setback, but he soon realized that his many years of immersion in the sport could make him successful as a boxing trainer. Despite setbacks in his boxing career, Roach found success by leveraging his skills in strategizing to develop revolutionary new training methods.

Lastly, Greene recounts R. Buckminster Fuller’s circuitous path to fame as a public intellectual. He was expelled from Harvard and faced failure in various jobs, even considering suicide as a means to provide his family with an insurance payout. Eventually, Fuller realized that he needed to focus not on conventional academic success but on helping as many people as possible. He rededicated himself to his unconventional ideas, and his career slowly began to flourish. Greene emphasizes the need to resist the allure of immediate rewards and instead focus on long-term goals and personal fulfillment. All the examples that Greene refers to underscore the idea that true mastery comes from aligning with one’s Life’s Task and persevering through adversity. Through these narratives, Greene encourages readers to listen to their inner voice, pursue their passions relentlessly, and make the necessary sacrifices to reach their maximum potential.

The author explores the journey of individuals who discover their life’s calling despite facing significant challenges and limitations. Through the example of Temple Grandin, who was diagnosed with autism at a young age, Greene illustrates how focusing on one’s strengths and inclinations can lead to mastery and fulfillment. Despite struggling with language and socialization, Grandin found solace in interacting with animals and building things with her hands. Her deep empathy for animals and fascination with cattle chutes ultimately led her to carve out a unique career path in designing humane systems for managing farm animals. Greene uses this example to emphasize the importance of ignoring weaknesses and concentrating on developing proficiency in the skills one is naturally good at. By embracing her deficiencies and leveraging her strengths, Grandin was able to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and find her true Life’s Task.

Greene highlights that vocations can manifest in unexpected ways, sometimes emerging from deficiencies rather than strengths. He encourages readers to pay attention to subtle signals and gentle nudges that guide them towards their destiny, even if it means deviating from conventional paths. Through Grandin’s story, Greene demonstrates that mastery is accessible to all, regardless of the challenges they face, as long as they stay true to their unique talents and passions.