Unlocking Mastery: The 7 Essential Traits of Success

Do you want to learn how to play the piano, speak a foreign language, or code a website? If so, you need to know the secrets of skill acquisition. In this newsletter, we will share with you seven principles of effective learning, based on the research of Ericsson and others.

1. Train like a champion

Paavo Nurmi was a legendary marathon runner who broke 22 world records. He dominated the sport for years, until his rivals copied his training methods. What made him so successful? He trained harder and smarter than anyone else.

The lesson is clear: if you want to perform better, you need to train better.

2. Embrace the plateau

When you start learning a new skill, you experience rapid progress. This is called the newbie gains phase. You feel motivated and confident. But soon, you hit a wall. You stop improving, no matter how much you practice. You feel frustrated and stuck.

This is normal. It happens to everyone. It's called the plateau phase. But don't give up. This is where the real learning happens. This is where you need to push yourself harder and smarter. This is where you move from novice to expert.

3. Practice alone

Imagine that you and your friends are taking a class from the best teacher in the world. Who will learn the most? The answer is: the one who practices the most on their own.

Research shows that the amount of solitary practice is the best predictor of skill level. A study of violinists found that the top performers practiced 7410 hours by age 18, while the average performers practiced 5301 hours, and the below average performers practiced 3420 hours.

The message is simple: practice more.

4. Develop mental models

What separates experts from novices is not just how much they know, but how they organize their knowledge. Experts have mental models: frameworks that help them understand, analyze, and solve problems in their domain.

For example, chess grandmasters can look at a board and instantly recognize the best move, because they have a mental model of the game. They can see patterns, strategies, and consequences that novices miss.

The takeaway is: learn to think like an expert.

5. Learn from your mistakes

One of the most important skills you can develop is the ability to detect and correct your errors. Skilled learners are constantly monitoring their performance and adjusting their actions. They have a feedback loop that helps them improve.

When they make a mistake, they don't ignore it or deny it. They acknowledge it, analyze it, and fix it. They learn from it.

The advice is: don't be afraid to fail. Fail better.

6. Find a mentor

A good teacher can make a huge difference in your learning journey. A good teacher can explain the why, not just the how, of a skill. A good teacher can help you build your mental models, identify your mistakes, and overcome your challenges.

A good teacher can also inspire you, motivate you, and guide you. A good teacher can help you become your own teacher.

The suggestion is: seek out a mentor who can help you grow.

7. Forget about talent

Many people believe that some people are born with natural talent, and some are not. They think that talent is a fixed trait that determines your potential. They think that talent is the key to success.

But they are wrong. Talent is a myth. Research shows that there is no such thing as innate talent. There is only acquired skill. And skill is the result of deliberate practice.

You are not born with skill. You build it.

The conclusion is: don't let talent stop you. Let practice make you.

Do you want to unlock your highest potential through the science of flourishing? Do you want to learn how to master any skill with the power of surfing, positive psychology, and mindfulness? Do you want to join a supportive community of like-minded learners who are on the same journey of growth and transformation?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you don’t want to miss the Resilience and Flow retreat on Resurface. This is a life-changing, evidence-based retreat that fuses psychology, embodied action, and flow states to help you significantly impact your life strategies. This intimate, intensive experience includes:

• Surfing - Ride waves into flow states

• Positive psychology - Learn science-backed skills for growth

• Mindfulness - Cultivate focus and presence

• Group bonding - Support and synergy

This is a rare opportunity to learn from the experts, connect with nature, and have fun while improving yourself.

Upcoming Events

EMDR Intensive - Miami, USA - March 8th to 14th

Building Resilience Retreat - Morocco - March 16th to 23rd

Working with Grief @ The Wave - Bristol - March 30th

EMDR Intensive - Europe - April 3rd to 10th

Trauma Resolution Retreat - Morocco - April 13th to 20th