Creative sampling isn’t often seen as a powerful strategy, but at times it can be even more powerful than mastery.
When you are hyper-focused on developing a core area of expertise it’s easy to tune out distractions or pieces of information that aren’t in alignment, but you might also miss important signs or insights about your chosen direction. On the other hand, if you are interested in learning more broad-based skills the discernment process is more complex. You play with things to see if and where they fit and take more time deciding to listen and integrate or let it go.
So is there a way to balance mastery with being creatively well-rounded? Yes… get over the fact that one is better than the other and embrace the power of both.
Diving to the Bottom of the Ocean or Swimming with the Current
Taking a creative sampling approach is often misunderstood as procrastinating, taking the scenic route or simply being lazy. It’s a common belief that if you aren’t at it from dawn until dusk, pushing as hard as you can, then you will never reach the “Master” status everyone is supposed to have in their chosen field or creative expression.
This is simply untrue.
Some people have to dive in and swim around with all the details to get inspired and spark their motivation. Others feel much more comfortable taking a creative sampling, seeing what certain opportunities have to offer and then crafting a creative path to mastery predominantly through experiential means.
Whatever your natural tendency may be, using them together as a “mindful tag team” puts you on the path to mastery on several levels rather than just one.
The ability to apply advanced expertise is a huge benefit – but are you able to use it as you go with the flow, following what interests you and finding a way to learn and apply that to all situations, or only in your area of focus?
A true step towards mastery is more about how you create and maintain balance in your life, rather than jumping into one core area and only knowing that above all else. When you are able to look at all the opportunities and paths, size them up, see where your energy is called and then listen within to your heart to make a decision using insights you have gained from developing your core area of focus – then you are in the practice of growing and shaping your inner master.
The discernment you develop in this practice requires creative sampling to express itself combined with focus. Focus alone is like tunnel vision mastery in one core area, but if you can pull in the art of creative sampling too, and be present in the moment drinking it in, you have touched on mastery in a whole new way, stepping into the practice of doing and being.
Want a little more insight on connecting with your inner guidance? Check out the Mini Guide for Connecting with your Inner Guidance and Creative Fire.
Photo credit: Tracy Hunter, Clint Losee