Mastery” was published in November 13, 2012. It has 353 pages. Many people believe that famous masters like Da Vinci and Mozart were born with incredible talent and genius. However, that’s not entirely true. Natural talent doesn’t guarantee mastery in a skill or field. A study found that even though some kids show exceptional talent when they’re young, only a few of them achieve remarkable success later in life. On the other hand, some students who aren’t seen as brilliant in school end up accomplishing more than their gifted peers.

For instance, think about Charles Darwin, who was an average student with no signs of exceptional intelligence. Then there’s his younger cousin, Sir Francis Galton, who had a high IQ and was considered a prodigy. But today, it’s Darwin who is seen as the better scientist and one of the brightest minds of his time. So, becoming a master doesn’t depend on whether you’re naturally gifted or not. Both a genius and an ordinary person can follow the same steps to become masters. These steps are the ones taken by great masters throughout history. They start by exploring their field, learning from others, keeping an open and creative mind, and working hard to achieve mastery. Edison, Mozart, Einstein, Goethe, and many other celebrated masters in history followed this path to success.

Even modern masters follow these steps. Take Freddie Roach, a professional boxer, for example. He had a dream of becoming a boxer, learned from a great trainer, and developed his unique fighting style. Now, he’s considered one of the best boxing trainers of his generation. You don’t need to be born with special gifts, show early talent, or have a high IQ to become a master. Just find your passion and follow the path that the great masters before you have taken.