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Here’s the thing about growth: quick wins will get you moving, but mastery? Mastery changes you.

Don’t get me wrong. Quick wins are great. They give you that hit of momentum, a shot of confidence, the little push that says, “Hey, I can do this.” But they only take you so far.

Mastery though is a game changer. It’s when a skill or a practice stops being something you check off a list and becomes part of who you are. It’s what fuels your career for the long haul — the kind of thing that opens doors, keeps you relevant, and makes the work feel meaningful.

Quick wins are sparks. Mastery is the bonfire.

So here’s the real question: are you building sparks…or are you building a fire that’s going to keep you lit for years to come? Both are important, but at some point if you want longevity, develop your mastery.

What’s the Value of Mastery?

So what makes mastery worth chasing? Because it’s not just about getting better at a skill. Mastery expands who you are. It deepens your presence, strengthens your sense of purpose, and transforms the way you move through the world. Here are a few of the gifts mastery brings:

Depth of skill: Mastery takes you beyond competence into artistry. It’s the difference between playing the notes and making music.

Identity and confidence: Over time, your practice stops being something you do and becomes part of who you are. Confidence flows not from performance, but from presence.

Strategic advantage: In a crowded, competitive world, mastery gives you vision. It sets you apart because you can see patterns, anticipate challenges, and deliver results with precision and reliability.

Resilience: The long arc of mastery builds patience and persistence. You don’t crumble when you hit setbacks — you’ve trained yourself to see them as part of the process, not the end of the story.

Fulfillment: At its heart, mastery is about joy. The joy of immersion, of purpose, of knowing your work holds meaning beyond the moment.

My Story

For me, the pursuit of mastery has been a long road. Back in 2015, when I earned my very first coaching certification, I set my sights on the highest credential offered by the International Coaching Federation: Master Certified Coach (MCC). Think of it like a doctor finishing residency and passing their boards — it signals the highest level of trust and expertise in the field.

I knew from the start this wasn’t going to be a quick win. Here’s what the MCC requires:

* 2,500 hours of coaching experience

* 200 hours of coach-specific education

* 10 hours of mentored coaching

* A three-hour written exam

* Demonstrated mastery of ICF Core Competencies

* Demonstrated mastery of the ICF Code of Ethics

* A performance evaluation

* And yes, a significant financial investment

It took me almost a decade to check all those boxes. And along the way, I learned what mastery actually demands.

Depth of skill: I had to stop hiding behind my intellect — the planning, the strategizing, the note-taking. Mastery required me to be fully present. To listen not just with my ears, but with my gut and my heart. The day I stopped taking notes and just trusted myself, was a huge a breakthrough. And I thought: This is what depth feels like.

Identity and confidence: I’ve always been that straight-A student who wanted to nail it the first time. But with getting my MCC, I spent eight months under supervision with a mentor coach who told me, over and over, “Not yet.” I wasn’t hitting the competencies. It was so frustrating. It was really difficult to let go of the gold-star mentality and learn to trust the process instead of proving myself through timelines or perfect scores. It was humbling to keep failing — and freeing.

Strategic advantage: Yes, MCC gives me credibility on paper — more opportunities in corporate training and executive coaching. But the real advantage is what’s been happening inside. I feel more grounded, proud, and certain. That confidence fuels my vision and gives me the guts to make bigger moves.

Resilience: The final stretch just about knocked me down. Months of supervision, performance reviews, and the exam were harder than getting my MBA. I burned out more than once. But it was never about the coaching — that part has always been clear to me. What got foggy was why I wanted the MCC. With the support of my mentor, I realized it was bigger than me just wanting the validation of excellence. It was about impact. About showing up in the deepest way possible for my clients. To keep going, I had to reconnect with my purpose — helping people cross their own finish lines — and anchor myself in three of my values: love, laughter, and learning. That’s what pulled me through.

Fulfillment: At the end of the day, it’s sorta weird to recognize the real fulfillment isn’t the credential itself. It’s the proof (as Glennon Doyle says) that I can do hard things. Knowing that changes everything. It gives me courage to dream bigger, to be less afraid of not being perfect, and to learn faster when I stumble. And honestly? It just brings me joy. A lightness. The wisdom that as long as I stay connected to my values and purpose, I can take on hard things and succeed.

Bottom Line

Here’s the truth: quick wins will always have their place. But if you want longevity, advancement, and real fulfillment, you’ve got to invest in mastery. And the good news? You don’t need a decade-long certification to start.

Here are three simple ways to begin building your own bonfire:

* Pick one skill and go deeper. Instead of spreading yourself thin, choose a skill that matters in your career and commit to developing it over the long term. Depth creates distinction.

* Reconnect with your values. Mastery isn’t just about hours logged — it’s fueled by purpose. Ask yourself: Why does this matter to me? That answer will keep you going when the road gets tough.

* Model growth for others. Whether you’re a senior leader or mid-career professional, show your team, peers, or even your family what it looks like to keep learning. Growth inspires growth.

Quick wins light the spark. Mastery keeps the fire burning. The question is: what fire do you want to tend?

If someone came to mind while you were reading this—please send it their way. You never know the impact a well-timed message can have.

Related Content

* Is It Time For A New Career?

* Let Go Of Career Missteps

* Are You Missing The Magic In Your Career?

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Journal Prompts

Here are three prompts for paid Moonshot Mentor subscribers. They’re designed to help you explore where quick wins have served you well, and where mastery might bring deeper fulfillment.

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