One of the biggest myths about excellence is that it's reserved for the "gifted." After years of mentoring students from all backgrounds—from burger joints to boardrooms—I can tell you with certainty: Anybody can learn this.
You don't need to be super intelligent or have decades of experience. What you need is an understanding of the 5 Stages of Mastery and the persistence to push through the "Valley of Despair."
The 5 Stages of Excellence
The Novice
You're starting out, learning the basics, and everything is new and exciting.
The Apprentice
You're practicing the techniques, but they still feel a little rough. You need guidance.
The Struggle
The "Hero’s Journey." This is where most people give up because they hit the Valley of Despair.
The Craftsman
You’re refining your craft. You're getting manageable, predictable, and successful results.
The Master
The skills have become unconscious. You perform with grace, precision, and consistency.
Navigating the Valley of Despair
In psychology, the Dunning-Kruger Effect explains why our confidence often drops just as we're starting to get actually good. At the start (the "Mount Stupid" phase), we think we know everything because we don't know what we don't know.
As we learn more, we realize the depth of the challenge and our confidence craters—into the Valley of Despair. This is a critical point. If you use sensory-based feedback instead of emotional drama, you can see that you are actually making progress. You aren't failing; you're just at Stage 3.
What you need most in this period is support and a community that stands by you. If you push through, you reach the slope of enlightenment and eventually, mastery.
Don't Walk the Path Alone
Our community is designed to support you through every stage of your journey to mastery.
Join the Next Training