I happened upon an elderly craftsman painting an iron gate. You could feel the pride he had in his work with each brushstroke he took. The Japanese have a word for this, "Shokunin," which roughly means mastery of one's profession. In a sun-drenched alleyway in Kuala Lumpur, I remembered how much mastery matters in everything we do.

At times it can be difficult and frustrating, but what begins as dedication evolves into devotion until it becomes mastery. The only requirements are courage and patience to take each brushstroke with purpose.

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