Part 2/11:
From an early age, we're conditioned to believe that daily practice will yield daily progress. This idealized view leads to disappointment when the inevitable plateaus and backward steps occur during learning. When individuals start a new skill, they may experience a rapid rise in competence, only to be halted by stagnation—what Leonard refers to as the "plateau." For many, this plateau represents a frustrating pause that feels like stagnation, prompting them to abandon their efforts. In reality, it is essential to recognize that Mastery consists of progress marked by significant periods of apparent inactivity.