“Success is not a place at which one arrives but rather the spirit with which one undertakes and continues the journey.” ~Alex Noble
When I was a brand new neonatal therapist, I remember thinking, “I can’t wait until I have 5 years of experience in the NICU because THEN I’ll know everything I need to know.”
I found myself saying the same thing about 10 years of experience and then 15 and 20. And while this makes me laugh now, it also explains why I love this field.
Unknowingly, I was living the experience that researchers would define as mastery – “the desire to get better and better at something that matters.”
My quest to know more was really about working toward mastery, as described in Daniel Pink’s book, Drive: The Surprising Truth about what Motivates Us. He illustrates how to motivate people and inspire change. It boils down to this: you seek an environment/job/life in which you can pursue mastery. Otherwise, you become disengaged.
Daniel Pink describes the 3 laws of mastery as:
1) Mastery is a mindset:
The book cites many studies in which those who value learning over performance goals and see effort as a way to improve at something that matters, rather than too much effort resulting in frustration.
So for all of you who are newer to this field (or any field) realize that the feeling of ‘never knowing enough’ is part of the path to mastery. It’s normal. And it’s WHY you love this field. If you already knew ‘everything’ you’d be bored – which seems like the worst thing of all.
Instead, know that your effort pays off in bits and pieces over time in ways that you cannot predict. Being motivated by the purpose and path rather than the perceived finish line will leave you feeling engaged rather than empty or disappointed ‘at the end’. Show up with a long view.
2) Mastery is a Pain:
This one made me laugh. Why would you want to engage in something that’s painful?
Daniel Pink describes how a group from West Point, University of PA and University of MI studied why some students “continued on the road toward military mastery and others got off at the first exit”.
The best predictor of success wasn’t related to intelligence or physical strength, but “grit – defined as perseverance and passion for long term goals”.
Basically, the path to mastery, according to research cited in Pink’s book, requires difficult, painful effort and intense practice for a minimum of 10 years. So breathe. If you love this field, you’re in for the long haul.
The great news: you guys have grit. There is no such thing as becoming a successful neonatal therapist without it.
And when you wonder (again) why you signed up to be part of that huge never-ending project in the NICU, remember this – no one shows up to run a .5 mile race. It’s too easy. Anyone could do it.
You’re motivated by being part of something incredible. Most people on the planet cannot do what you are doing in the environment in which you get to do it. How cool is that?
3) Mastery is an Asymptote
Say what?
This brings you all the way back to algebra. An asymptote is a straight line that a curved line approaches but never quite reaches.
Do you think that the neonatal therapists that have 20+ years of experience know everything? 30+ years? Of course not. They know A LOT. They really get it at a high level. They notice things that are difficult to even see when you have 5 years of experience.
But they would be the first to tell you, they’re not finished learning. In fact, they LOVE learning. They love never quite arriving at an ending place.
So here’s the thing that makes us crazy. Mastery, when you consider even the best of professional athletes, surgeons, builders or performers, is never quite fully attainable.
So why am I talking about it? Why do you keep pursuing it?
Because people are more engaged (and intrinsically motivated) when afforded opportunities at mastery. “Gallup’s extensive research shows that in the US, more than 50% of employees are NOT engaged at work, and nearly 20% are actively disengaged. The cost of all this disengagement is about $300 billion a year in lost productivity.”
If our job consisted only of simple tasks that we easily mastered, we’d lose interest, and it would be difficult to remain passionate and driven.
So here’s the thing:
The decision to be on a road toward mastery is not an easy one. There are days when it would seem preferable to give up. Like the days you spend in the newest version of EHR training, perhaps. But innately, you crave to be better than you were the day before.
There are NICUs where that path to mastery is clear. Your hospital/NICU provides avenues by which to pursue education, skill development and growth. If you’re fortunate to work in such a place, take advantage of what lies before you.
Other hospitals and NICUs, well, it’s not so clear. And avenues appear more like wilderness. You’re not alone. And those more ‘developed’ hospitals/NICUs/programs were once where you are. Just know that part of your path to mastery will be CREATING THE PATH.
And that’s ok. Actually more than ok.
Sometimes, that’s the most fun of all.
Intending mastery, practicing mastery, failing and failing and continuing to strive in any endeavor is where you find your depth. And your highest highs.
Even on days when you feel your efforts are not having an effect, are not worth it, and no one is listening.
Maybe especially on those days, there are families everywhere hoping you hang in there for their sons and daughters.
It begins with you. Dig in. Surprise yourself.
P.S. We’re told it’s about the carrot. That we’re motivated by the trophy, the prize, the accolades. It’s never about the carrot.
