Lemme hit cha with some powerful emotions:
Struggle.
Pain.
Despair.
I felt all these things as I failed business after business, for a total of eight.
"What kind of life is this? How did I end up here?" I wondered as I sobbed like a baby one dark, empty night.
So manly and badass… I know, right?
Well, being willing to feel deep, intense emotion is something that sets the badasses aside from most people, and I’ve certainly done that.
The lows though, can lead to the highs, and to quote the oh-so-famous Kanye West… "N-n-now that don’t kill me / Can only make me stronger."
Basically, I rose up. I did what I wanted. I asked no permission. I claimed my own value.
And the failure becomes the success; the student becomes the master.
You’re A Born Master
Ever notice how kids seem kinda… well… pro at life?We’re born knowing how to shrug off worry and irritation. We’re born knowing how to live in the moment and milk joy out of life. We’re born knowing how to trust humanity, the world, and our own power as we’re cared for and provided for by others.
And then we start forgetting, and letting a bunch of vaguely miserable members of society train us to their ways of living (worrying FTW!)
And so, even though we were born with unconscious mastery of life’s principles, we start settling for a sort of ‘learned mediocrity’ and we become semi-confused students, hungrily seeking answers and struggling to better ourselves.
Suddenly, You’re A Student
Ah, to be a student.
So, my early years of failure, I felt lost, as so many of us do.
As a ‘student’… I dicked around in retail jobs.
As a student I spent my days surfing the web, reading about sex, money, and fame.
I bought and borrowed books, which I sped-read.
I had tons of relationships and flirting and sex, which ended up as 8 failed LTRs.
And I lived hand-to-mouh for 8 years, because I wasn’t delivering significant, noticeable value to the marketplace.
Sounds kinda lame, right?
‘Being a student.’
To some people it does.
Maybe for you 
Does it bring up images of awkward high school learning?
Well, it’s not lame. The world’s professionals are so great because they’re life-long learners, and they know it.
Being a student just means you’re in a phase where you’re diving into knowledge, seeking answers, and absorbing lots of data.
The trick is to be a student at the most effective times.What hurts though, is remaining in the student phase for too long.
There are people who stay as students ‘too long’, and then wonder why they’re not making money, making an impact, and contributing to the world.
They spend all their time reading ebooks, learning lessons, and absorbing things from everywhere.
Most don’t even realize they’re doing it, and neither do the people around them.
(Sidenote: Most people in a student-phase tend to judge each other, and because of that judging, they’re not ready to contribute openly and teach others.)
An example of a student-phase going on ‘too long’ is when I spent most of my early years studying 30,000 hours studying success and the world’s achieves, immersing myself in 10 terabytes of pop culture, and becoming highly praciced at nearly 20 different art forms (but I didn’t share it with many).
So yeah. I did that, and it’s pretty awesome… but it brought my life to a crashing halt, ’cause not enough moments of my life were spent teaching + contributing well.
So basically you could call it "too much student-phase", because if I’d started teaching + contributing more I could’ve had a successful business earlier, (but I wouldn’t have those record-setting numbers to throw around.)
I’m cool with it though, because you can never really have ‘too much’ student phase. It’s a life long thing, and pushing myself to the edge helped me learn how to balance the teaching part, when I…
Move On To Be A Teacher
Here’s something to think about: anyone society respects, attracts rewards and support.
It’s true.
And society respects teachers, so when you really start to be one, rewards rush in a lot more.Even while I was a student, I was transitioning to a teaching phase, and in fact, I realized I was teaching my whole life.
I was declared a genius, put in the gifted program, and I always loved giving advice to anyone who’d listen.
I wasn’t great at it, delivering it with an agenda, or seeing myself as better than others, but I did it anyway.
I blogged for 7 years, receiving a total of ~300 comments, half of which were mine.
Still, I was purposefully doing my best to contribute. I’d quit my job. I focused on turning my passions into sustainable profit.
I entrepreneur’d.
I created tons of artwork and writing. I more than one book that almost no one read.
All I knew was, I was sick of sitting around ‘learning’ and I really, really wanted to help others, (and especially to be paid and rewarded for it.)
This got me a little further in life, and I even ended up living on Toronto’s High Street (Bay St.)
It didn’t last though, and I wasn’t what you’d call a ‘master’ at it.
Students don’t really get a ton of praise and thank you’s from the marketplace, because they’re mostly "taking in" info, not "contributing" and creating awesomeness to share.
Teachers help many, and everyone knows it. Humanity has taught each other since the dawn of time; teaching is natural.
The thing is, to be a teacher (or an ‘expert’), you have to start admitting you can take a break from learning, "you’re ahead of some people", and then find out who those people are, and teach ‘em.
And when people start calling themselves a ‘teacher,’ there’s usually a bit of hesitation, as they let go of the idea that they’re a ‘student who can’t really help’, to claim that they’re a ‘teacher equipped to share knowledge’.
To switch from student to teacher, nothing’s really changed, physically, it’s just an attitude switch.And in attitude and beliefs… teacher’s aren’t quite ‘masters’ because they’re very conscious of their subject and ‘how much’ they know.
As well, teachers know that there’s no point in completely ditching the ‘student’ aspect, because it keeps them at the top of their game.
After auite some time practicing as a teacher of a certain subject, we start to handle it through habit.
We start to ‘live’ our area of expertise.
Our subconcious and our nervous system just automatically help us better others around us, in our area of expertise.
Eminem can’t help but express his deepest feelings through rhyme. Danny Iny can’t help but elevate the SMB owners around him. I can’t help but enlighten people about timeless wisdom they’re not accessing, but could be.
(Sidenote: most people in a teacher-phase are happy to share knowledge, but don’t really want others to surpass them. They want to make people better, to a point or a limit.)
Finally, You’re A Master
Ah yes… to be a master.
Master’s don’t really consider what they’re doing… ‘teaching’. They see it as them living their life purpose.
They see it as living and breathing their subject.
I’d really never call myself a ‘master’, but I’ve had others call me it.
Actually, I’ve been called many things.
‘Master’, ‘messiah’, ‘saint.’
[blush]
Those are some pretty big labels to throw around, but the people who do it mean really well.
What they’re really trying to say is "wow, I’m impressed with your growth, practice and genius on topic X."
Sometimes I transform my clients lives so much, so quickly, it can seem miraculous.
I have some of the most glowing, evangelical fan testimonials I’ve seen. (I’m not kidding, read them and see.)
Anyway, when people call me stuff like this, I correct them and steer them in a different direction.
If people start putting me on a pedestal just because I’ve learned, practiced, and made lots of progress, they’re making it hard for anyone else to reach my level of accomplishment.
And that’s bullshit.
I haven’t done anything special, and everyone can do what I can, and there’s other topics I’m not as great at, just like every one of us.
At the end of the day…
It DOES feel super-great to have significant progress, success and ‘mastery’ on a topic like ‘sexy-success-wisdom’ though, and I encourage you to ‘master’ a subject of your own.
So, what am I saying?
I’m saying…
There’s really no such thing as a ‘master’. It’s just a made up label people give to people who’ve made some pretty impressive progress in their lives.
Masters, like teachers and students, are still hungry-for-growth, and are still contributing the best way they know how, and experimenting, failing, and tweakin’.
It’s just that someone unpracticed can’t really notice a ‘masters’ mistakes or the subtle tweaks that they make in their lives.
(Sidenote: Most people at a master-phase are so habitual and so passionate about their subject, that they teach it deeply and powerfully without judgment, or analysis, eagerly making people better and even intending that their students will shine much brighter than them.)
Masters are teachers who’ve become so clear and practiced, that they habitually apply & improve, without a thought given to it.For a master of a certain subject, everything’s on auto-pilot, covered by powerful habits.
What This Means For You
It means that whatever phase you’re in, you’re doing fine, and you’re learning to balance them all in a way that suits you.
It means to be cool with yourself; be gentle. Understand that everyone progresses through these phases.
- Understand that it’s okay to be a judgmental punk as you ‘take’ from society.
- Understand that it’s okay to teach, to a point, and maybe not even feel fully confident in your expertise.
- Understand that eventually you’ll becoming ‘masterful’ (which just means Very Very Practiced) at subjects you give your attention to, and it feels great.
And if you want a powerful jumpstart on this stuff, check out Ryze’s Info-graphic: How To Learn Like A Boss: The Hidden Steps, below.
Related Post: How To Learn Like A Boss: The Hidden Steps
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About 
outstanding insight Jason. Feeling under the weather put had to haul my butt to the desk to comment. You can never stop learning and if you sit on your butt waiting until you know “everything” to teach, you’ll be waiting forever. There are so many rewards in sharing your knowledge, why wait? There is always someone who can benefit from your trials and errors and success. I say don’t wait to be a “master”, share what you’re good at and reap the karmic rewards.
Vanita is sharing: Create An Ebook in 6.5 hrs (when a blogger insults you)
Outstanding feedback, Vanita
I take it as a compliment that my post can move and compel people, even if they’re “feeling under the weather”
(I think people say that because they’d much rather feel on top of the weather, eh?
)
You’re right, I basically touched on the old phrase “dont wait to share what you know”, and hopefully I went deeper, talking about the ‘master’ aspect of things
The comments from all the great people in Ryze, yourself included, feel like a karmic reward of sorts
Jason “J-Ryze” Fonceca is sharing: You’re Your Own Fountain Of Youth (Stop Bitching)
When a person – no matter what field of endeavor they are in are doing whatever they are doing – no matter what it is they are doing – as an art – of business – of art – or talking – or lecturing – of studenting of writing – of inventing – whatever – and they are able to relax into the doing of what they are doing – then that is a great place to be – and there will be amazement by people in all walks of life at what such an artist is doing – that is when things are —— awesome -
Thanks so much for this summary, Walter. It’s what I was getting at.
When a ‘master’ lives and breathes what they’re doing… *relaxed* and generally without thought, that’s when the amazement shows up
Fantastic comment, rock on and ryze up!
Jason “J-Ryze” Fonceca is sharing: You’re Your Own Fountain Of Youth (Stop Bitching)
You’re right Jason, I see that you and Ken were on the same wavelength with this topic.
You know like you Jason, people have always come to me for advice. Never really understood why, I guess I inherited that being able to listen gene from my Dad. But I hate giving advice or teaching people anything unless I’ve done it myself or lived it and understand the end result. You know, I dislike those people who are eager to teach you things yet they’ve never experienced it themselves.
I think in your case you have a lot of life lessons behind you now and are able to share with people what you have learned and how you have gotten to the other side. Walking the talk is what I admire and you’ve definitely done that my friend.
As always, another fine post from Mr. Ryze himself. Thanks for sharing your insights and please do have a fabulous week my friend.
~Adrienne
Adrienne is sharing: How to Build a Rock Star Brand
[grin] Adrienne, I totally felt that me and Ken were vibin’ on this, and I’m surprised he hasn’t swung by and weighed in yet
You speak some very important things, and I totally get that you’d be sought out as a teacher
What you said about walking the talk is really interesting, and I’m super-thankful you mentioned it
Generally people are NOT receptive to people who offer wisdom, intelligence, and advice on things they HAVEN’T experienced. When I was young I ‘knew’ a lot of what I talk about now, but I had not LIVED it, and no one listened.
Fast-forward through homelessness, jail, betrayal, 8 failed biz’s, 8 failed LTR’s and all kinds of things no one wants to experience, and suddenly everyone listens to me, and pays me handsomely for it.
To me it’s funny, because I feel like I’m using my “gift of clear insight”, which I’ve possessed since I was little, but no one valued it, and now that I’m ‘battle-scarred’, everyone pays close attention to my message.
Experience speaks volumes — Food for thought
Jason “J-Ryze” Fonceca is sharing: It’s Oh-So-Normal To Be A ‘Master’ (Are You?)
I really like this post Jason.
It’s so true that kids are the masters. And they learn BY teaching. I know that every time my daughter learns something, the first thing she wants to do is teach it to me, a friend, someone.
I would definitely describe myself as a life-long learner…. I’m always wanting to know more… but sometimes I feel like I know less and less the more I learn because I realize there is so much to know. I felt more like a master when I was young like my girl… I remember “playing teacher” in the 2nd grade and actually taught my preschool neighbor how to read!
As soon as I read this, it totally made me think of one of my favorite Nelly Furtado songs ‘Try’:
“The more I go, the less I know…
I have lived so many lives, though I’m not old
and the more I see the less I grow
the fewer the seeds the more I sow.”
This post is a good reminder not to forget that we can ALL teach and help others.
And it literally made me sit and contemplate on what I can BEST teach…. and to focus more on teaching those so I can really help others reap more.
I really like this comment, Jen!
“Learn by teaching” could totally have been a tweetable here. Great writing
And I could follow it with “Master by living”.
Hahah… all I can think of is “playing doctor”
(Now *there’s* some lessons 
)
Woo, Nelly Furtado (practically a Toronto-native
) delivers.
I loooove when the ryze team quotes song lyrics with a deeper purpose. Hmm… might be time for a post on this.
To inspire someone to sit up, contemplate, and focus on teaching what they can is exactly in line with what Ryze is all about.
I’m so thrilled, and thank you for sharing. You’re awesome
(P.S. I feel like this comment wasn’t flirty enough, so if you could do me the honors of just reading between the lines, that’d rock
)
Jason “J-Ryze” Fonceca is sharing: It’s Oh-So-Normal To Be A ‘Master’ (Are You?)
Reminds me of an Einstein quote “Only one who devotes himself to a cause with his whole strength and soul can be a true master. For this reason mastery demands all of a person.” I think once we can Master ourselves then there will be no need for masters.
Dawn Barclay is sharing: Monday Morning Pep Talk: Dare to Be You
Bingo, Dawn — this is why I heavily focused on the point that ‘master’ is an arbitrary label that people give to make “highly-practiced students and teachers” into “freaks”, basically.
No master really sees themselves as a master, in my experience, they just realize we’re all students and teachers, and life always expands
Love Einstein, and any quotes from him
:):) Thanks, Dawn
Jason “J-Ryze” Fonceca is sharing: It’s Oh-So-Normal To Be A ‘Master’ (Are You?)
J-Ryze,
Love your thoughts here bro…
I’m going to add this… I think a True master is the Teacher and the Student at all times.
The master understands that Teaching and Learning go hand-in-hand and that the fluid and dynamic relationship between the two should never end.
If you are always the student then never become practiced.
If you are always the teacher then you forget what might be possible.
The Master learns with one hand and teaches with the other.
Just my thoughts on a great topic!!
Hanley
Ryan Hanley is sharing: Why Social Media ROI is the Easiest Metric to Measure
Haha… dude – I’m blessed to have you here at Ryze. That is an awesome clarification and addition.
There was a line in the raw version that talked about “playing the correct role, student/teacher at the correct time.” – it got changed into this: “The trick is to be a student at the most effective times.”
Kinda wish I just put your explanation there instead
Mad respect, Ryan. Great stuff.
Jason “J-Ryze” Fonceca is sharing: It’s Oh-So-Normal To Be A ‘Master’ (Are You?)
Sounds familiar to my blogging journey. For the first year I was learning from others who blogged well and how to make it work. Finally I got to a point where I felt I wanted to give something back and become a teacher with my blogging basics series. It has given me quite a traffic boost, I’m still learning, but I’m also giving back. I’m guessing this is effective learning, but “master” is a word I’ll probably never be comfortable with. I’m too humble for that, I suppose. Great post!
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Woo, Amberr – I love it when the power of writing (or blogging) is discovered. Throughout history the world’s most successful, in any industry, knew the power of putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard.)
About the master thing, I’m beginning to think I wasn’t clear enough in explaining that it is a ‘silly label’ that really just means ‘very practiced’.
It’s not supposed to be magic, or humbling, but people use it like it is
We’re all students,teachers (and masters) in life
Thanks for bringing this up and giving me a chance to explain deeper, you rock!
Funny, I was thinking about kids the other day and how pure they are. It’s crazy to see them transform along in their journey. They really are Masters of the Moment and I envy that as I struggle moving through my thoughts to consciousness….Being.
One of the great influencers in my life, Eckart Tolle said “Forget about your life situation and pay attention to your life. Your life situation exists in time. Your life is now. Your life situation is mind-stuff. Your life is real.”
Heck, I will leave you with another one “Always say “yes” to the present moment. What could be more futile, more insane, than to create inner resistance to what already is? What could be more insane than to oppose life itself, which is now and always now? Surrender to what is. Say “yes” to life — and see how life suddenly starts working for you rather than against you.”
Just like you said Jason, be cool with where you are NOW!
Love the timing, Chris
Kids rock, pure and simple.
I mention them often (most recently in Ryze’s upcoming info-graphic: What’s A Happy Life, Anyway.)
I *don’t* mention Eckhart often, even though I’ve read The Power Of Now and A New Earth, and my life story is similar to his own… but I do love his views.
Your life is now, and always say yes are pretty powerful, and reminds me of Eckhart’s friend Jim Carrey in the movie “Yes Man”.
Thanks so much for this dude, great to hear about your ‘other sides’
Jason “J-Ryze” Fonceca is sharing: It’s Oh-So-Normal To Be A ‘Master’ (Are You?)
Young children learn stuff because they’re keen to know more. They see knowledge as an adventure and don’t see it as something they must do to get on in life. (Most) Teenagers think they know it all and stop taking in as much as they ought, frequently more out of a need to refuse to conform to the system, rather than through a genuine lack of interest. As we get older we appreciate the power of knowledge and become more receptive to new information. However, if you’ve ever tried teaching something to someone who thinks that they know it all, you’ll understand that it’s frequently what we think we already know that stops us from learning.
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You’re right, Carolyn! They *are* keen to know more — and so am I!
Knowledge as adventure suits me just fine
Blessed (or cursed) at an early age with intelligence, quick-thinking and deep-focus, I was probably the biggest know-it-all teenager I can think of, and I was so good at it, most people couldn’t call me on it.
But somehow, they could tell.
I’ve tried teaching many who thought they knew it all, just like I did, which is why I made: http://ryzeonline.com/learn-like-a-boss
You’re really on to something here, and this is great stuff to add to the post. Thanks so much, Carolyn
Excellent. And then there’s the different kinds of knowing. Know everything about one thing or a little about a lot of things. Teaching is a gift, but you don’t nave to be a qualified teacher to teach. You don’t have to be a qualified student to learn either.
If you know a little more about a certain subject you can teach someone that knows a little less on the same subject. But you will always pick up some good ideas from teaching others. Learning is a never ending process and it’s good for your brain and sex life. No kidding.
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Ah, Jan, another added perspective, I love it
I see knowing more as an accumulation of small knowings, or like Socrates, do we really ‘know’ anything?
So philosophical heheh.
I love what you say about ‘qualified’ teachers and students, such a good phrasing.
Learning/teaching is a never-ending process, related to ‘knowing’, and self-knowledge is the basics of life
Thanks, Jan! Rock on and ryze up!
Jason “J-Ryze” Fonceca is sharing: You’re Your Own Fountain Of Youth (Stop Bitching)
Hey Ryze! I liked your point about being stuck in student mode. Being a student forever is important. Scientists do this all the time. They delve into research and dedicate themselves to a life time of study. But it’s not just about absorbing knowledge. It’s about applying that. It’s the difference between knowledge and wisdom. Acquiring knowledge for the sake of it might make great conversation, but knowledge on its own is just like energy, but using it makes is powerful.
Gemma
Gemma, I like your point about liking my point
:P:P
Kiddin’, kiddin’…
I love what you say knowledge + application, energy vs. energy in motion
Excellent, and I understand you’re doing this pretty well, feelin’ the vibe.
Jason “J-Ryze” Fonceca is sharing: Flying High On Travel & Collaboration
Lol.
You put it perfectly. Energy vs energy in motion!!! You physicist you 
.
And thanks for pointing this out. About getting out of the study rut. About applying and improving. The next level.
Mmm… thanks, Gemma! I enjoy being cross-discipline
Jason “J-Ryze” Fonceca is sharing: Flying High On Travel & Collaboration
Its a bit like the old saying “information without implementation is useless” isn’t it Jason.
I know I’ve spent periods of my life in total consumption mode, fooling myself that there’s output, but looking back there truly wasn’t.
I think its a trap that’s easy to fall into, especially if you have a burning curiosity and love the learning process, but at the end of the day its what you give back to the world that matters, which means sharing those gifts and skills that you’ve “mastered” along the way.
Jackie is sharing: We Cant Be Good At Everything!
Sounds like you and Gemma are on the same wavelength, Jackie.
I *also* had noticeable and prolonged ‘consumption’ modes, but it’s like a slingshot cuz… well… look at me now
Absolutely. Adore. This.
“I think its a trap that’s easy to fall into, especially if you have a burning curiosity and love the learning process, but at the end of the day its what you give back to the world that matters, which means sharing those gifts and skills that you’ve “mastered” along the way.”
Thank you, Jackie. Thank you.
Jason “J-Ryze” Fonceca is sharing: Flying High On Travel & Collaboration
Hey Jackie,
Yeah! Good point! I did just like you did. Those prolonged consumption modes. And then, I went the other way. I was like, this ‘ain’t’ getting me anywhere. Sure, I know lots of stuff that I wouldn’t have. So. No more reading. No more books. Just do what you gotta do, right? Now, it’s a happy medium. I think it’s time management.
lol. I was like, hey, that’s what they call it.
@Jason – Look at me now….”yellow Lamborghini”.
You know it, girl!
“Talk like a winner, my chest to that sun.”
Jason “J-Ryze” Fonceca is sharing: Flying High On Travel & Collaboration
Wicked post Jason! Masters never view themselves as masters, because they have the humility of children. I love how you laid out the progression here. Everyone can be a teacher, because there are always people that can learn from you.
Steve Baines is sharing: What My Little Girl Can Teach You About Life and Why Adults Suck
Woohoo! Thanks Steve! I really appreciate it.
I’m glad you caught that, some others missed it
Masters know that ‘master’ is just a silly label so people can navigate the conversation.
I’m a teacher and a student everyday
Rock on and ryze up!
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