Each week I share memorable and uplifting stories of remarkable people accomplishing extraordinary things with simple acts of self-mastery. By subscribing, you can also get a free digital copy of my book, Hard Work Is Not Enough.
The Asbestos Hands of Mastery: Shaping the Craft Until It Shapes You
Have you ever witnessed chefs or waitstaff handle scorching hot plates with bare hands? They touch the blazing surface as if it were a mere extension of their body, unfazed by the heat.
The slang for this uncanny ability is 'asbestos hands.' It's bestowed upon those who can handle hot plates and pans with bare hands from years in the kitchen.
The late, great Anthony Bourdain was one such master. His hands were described as "scorched asbestos—skin gloves that comfortably clutch Promethean heights of centigrade."
The concept of 'asbestos hands' goes beyond the physical. It describes the mental and spiritual transformation of those who create and build.
Every field has its masters with their form of 'asbestos hands.'
- Writers copy their favorite writers' work word for word by hand to know what it feels like to write well.
- Athletes practice the same three-point shot a hundred times daily to prepare for the game.
- Musicians rehearse before every show so they keep their edge.
- Doctors watch surgery videos and imitate the moves until they become their own.
The mind and the body are malleable. The blackened hands of a potter, the calloused fingers of a guitarist, or the asbestos hands of the chef are proof of their long-standing commitment. Their hands and minds, shaped by the work, speak volumes of the time invested.
The pursuit of 'asbestos hands' is finding and pursuing your passion through action. It's earning your callouses from putting your excuses aside and doing the work. Even when it's boring, and no one notices.
'Asbestos hands' represents a transformation. They result from a profound commitment causing the body and mind to adapt. It is not about what you achieve but who you become through the process. You're dedicating yourself to shaping your craft until your craft shapes you.
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Hi! I'm Jeff Shannon!
Each week I share memorable and uplifting stories of remarkable people accomplishing extraordinary things with simple acts of self-mastery. By subscribing, you can also get a free digital copy of my book, Hard Work Is Not Enough.
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