The Visual8

Jerry has Seinfeld money. He can do anything.

And yet, despite the celebrity, and the wealth, and the connections, Jerry writes.

He writes because, in his words, “It’s really the profession of writing, that’s what standup comedy is.”

(see full transcript of the interview from episode #485 The Tim Ferris Show)

Jerry will tell you that this is real work. And that despite years of discipline he chooses to practice “hitting that target 50 yards away.”

This is the beauty of the Pursuit of Mastery.

Daniel Pink wrote in his book, Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, that we find satisfaction at work from Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose.

Autonomy is the freedom to choose our Technique, our Time, and our Team.

Purpose is value matching. What I believe in – matches what I’m doing – at where I’m working. My sense of purpose aligns with the institution’s sense of purpose.

Autonomy and Purpose are logical pursuits because they reduce friction. When they are lit up, more productivity ensues. The less emotional and cognitive energies are drained.

In other words, when there is alignment, the more we try, the more we get.

The Pursuit of Mastery is foolish logic.

It suggests the better we are at something, the longer and more effort it takes to get even better.

Mathematicians refer to this as an asymptotic curve.

In the beginning, there are huge gains. For example, within one unit of measure moving to the right, there might be two units in the rise.

However, this relationship tapers off, then slowly decreases: one unit to the right might be 1/10th of a unit rise. Then 1/100th unit of rise.

Until eventually that number becomes so small, it approaches, but never gets to, zero.

Over time, as we get better at something, the same effort becomes less effective.

In financial terms, this is a decreasing Return on Investment (ROI).

Investment maximizers shift their energies to entirely new categories when the return diminishes.

We call them polyglots. People who are fluent in many languages.

In Media and Entertainment, those mega-talented professionals earn the coveted EGOT title (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award-winners).

They are recognize for talent that spans multiple performing arts.

Martha Stewart is a polyglot of a different kind. Her skills in design go from table to garden to media empire. Oprah Winfrey is polyglot for other reasons.

Leonardo Da Vinci was a polyglot, too. He could draw and paint. He provided scientific understanding of the human anatomy and designed machines of war.

Michelangelo identified as a sculptor. But the Pope insisted that he build St. Peter’s Basilica and paint the Sistine Chapel. While you’re visiting Rome, you might as well visit all of the buildings he designed.

Let’s not get distracted with polyglots.

There is a beauty in pursuing mastery of a single language.

Steve Konarik has been cooking for over 30 years. He started that career in Houston, then opened up a very successful catering company in Austin. After years of buffets for the wealthy and the powerful, he left the big cities.

He chose to “go small” and get focused. He chose not to run a large kitchen. He chose not to scale a culinary empire. Because the more you do of that, the further it takes you from what you love.

Steve Konarik cooking in Houston at a private party; image by Tony Dina 2025

Instead, Steve began again.

Steve chose to apprentice with a Michelin-starred chef Michal Kováč | Online Culinary Coach. Steve chose to put aside years of experience to see the culinary world again for the first time.

Tandoori rack of lamb with coriander-mint coulis, Bombay potatoes, prune-anise puree, and pea tendrils ; food by Steve Konarik, image by Tony Dina 2025

This is foolish logic.

This is the Pursuit of Mastery. And this can be one of the most brave and most rewarding choices to make. To be one scooch better today than you were yesterday.

Whether you chase one mastery or try your hand at being a polyglot, one thing is true.

You have to decide.

You have to decide where to place your energy. You have to decide how to spend your free time.

In the Pursuit of Mastery, losing free time to sharpen those skills is not a loss at all. It’s actually freeing.

That’s the ROI. It’s not a measure of incremental skill. It’s a measure of incremental satisfaction.

But choose you must.

Anything short of that commitment will render you just plain ordinary.

It will leave you without Seinfeld money, without incremental satisfaction, and without the honor that comes from foolish logic.