There are two big messages, and a lot of support:
1. The reason for mastery -- he compelling argues that it doesn't matter so much what you choose to master, pick something and pursue mastery. It has a life changing effect.
2. The process for mastery -- this is very compelling. He takes the concept of a plateau and makes it understandable. And shows how to reach mastery given the realities of what happens along the way. We're bad at this in today's world -- we want results right away. But that's not how it works. Committing to the process not the outcomes goes back to ancient Eastern religions, and its as true for modern life and success as well.
He's distilled a lifetime of learning into a very short and useful read.
The main theme of the book can be summarized by a paragraph in page 48: "Goals and contingencies, as I've said, are important. But they exist in the future and the past, beyond the pale of the sensory realm. Practice, the path of mastery, exists only in the present. You can see it, hear it, smell it, feel it. To love the plateau is to love the eternal now, to enjoy the inevitable spurts of progress and the fruits of accomplishment, then serenely to accept the new plateau that waits just beyond them. To love the plateau is to love what is most esssential and enduring in your life." In other words, this book centers around patience, resilence, continuous learning and a little bit of zen, though the former three terms were not present inside the book at all.
Many reviewers gave five stars to this book and some even said that this is the unique self help book one might need. However, I really cant agree so because this book is so targeted to specific segments which the author described as the dabblers (the eternal kids) and the obsessive (the bottom line type), where the lack of patience or persistence appears to be their primal problem. Certainly there are other types of issues that deter "self helpers". Meanwhile, I must say that the passage devoted to homeostasis (internal resistance to change) is brilliant. In short, this book is worth a read.
p.s. I would like to quote two passages which I like the most for your reference.
1. In his book Zen Mind....Suzuki approaches the question of fast and slow learners in terms of horses. "In our scriptures, it is said that there are four kinds of horses:...The best horse will run slow and fast, right and left, at the driver's will, before it sess the shadow of the whip; the second best...just before the whip reaches its skin; the third ....when it feels pain on its body; the fourth...after the pain penetrates to the marrow of its bones....When we hear this story, almost all of us want to be the best horse....But this is a mistake, Master Suzuki says. When you learn too easily, you'r tempted not to work hard, not to penetrate to the marrow of a practice. pg 66
2. Are you willing to wear your white belt? pg 176, the last page of the book.
While the author describes 5 keys to long-term success and fulfillment,as:
1. Instruction;
2. Practice;
3. Surrender;
4. Intentionality; and,
5. The Edge - Push the envelop.
Mastery is:
1. The process where what was difficult becomes both easier and
more pleasurable;
2. Long-term dedication to the journey - not the bottom line;
3. Gaining mental discipline to travel further on your journey;
4. Being goalless;
5. Realizing that the pleasure of practice is intensified;
6. Creating deep roots;
7. Knowing that you will never reach a final destination;
8. Being diligent with the process of mastery;
9. Your commitment to hone your skills;
10. After you have reached the top of the mountain, climb
another one;
11. Being willing to practice, even when you seem to be getting
no where;
12. Making this a life process;
13. Being patient, while you apply long-term efforts;
14. Appreciating and even enjoying the plateau, as much as you do
the progress;
15. Practicing for the sake of practice;
16. Winning graciously, and lose with equal grace;
17. Placing practice, discipline, conditioning and character
development before winning;
18. Being courageous;
19. Being fully in the present moment;
20. Realizing that the ultimate goal is not the medal, or the
ribbon, but the path to mastery its self;
21. Being willing to look foolish;
22. Maintaining flexibility in your strategy, and in your
actions; and,
23. A journey.
Apply this to everything in your life, to claim your authentic self.