What if "failures" were renamed as "near-wins?"

As a Curatorial Assistant at the Museum of Modern Art, Sarah Lewis was surrounded by timeliness pieces of artwork. While reviewing the collection of Elizabeth Murray, Lewis was struck by the progression of the artist’s work. Murray was so displeased with her early work that she actually threw them away. Fortunately, a neighbor saw the potential and recovered them from the dumpster.

Consequently, Lewis had a lightbulb moment. She realized that success is “an event, a moment in time.” Creativity and mastery, in contrast, are a “constant pursuit” in the journey of life.

Success Vs. Mastery

Success is different for everyone. It may be your first Etsy sale or learning a new technique. Maybe success is launching your website. Achieving these feats are goals, not the end.

On the other hand, mastery is a lifelong journey.  Lewis defines mastery as a “commitment to a constant pursuit.” Becoming a master of your craft or of life requires the acceptance that there is no end. There is always more to learn, to achieve, and to experience.

Lewis recognized that while achieving success can provide short-term motivation, it is actually our near wins that catapult us on the path of mastery.  

“Mastery is in the reaching, not the arriving.”

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