The path to mastery includes many plateaus, short bursts of improvement and requires a lifetime of vision.
George Leonard teaches us to love the plateaus. He teaches us to develop the vision. We concentrate on steady improvement, understanding that there will be setbacks and frustrations. By enjoying the process, enjoying each practice, loving the minute details that are involved, we become masters.
Masters stay on the mat longer than anyone else. Masters enjoy drilling the fundamentals. Masters keep moving forward even without seeing the outward effects of improvement.