I’ve been tweaking a few things with the look and feel of the brand.

I like the colors, it reminds me of a private library or study; old paper, journals, leather-bound books, the smell of coffee, whisky and even some sweet tobacco. The kind of place I imagine having where I spend time each day studying, expanding my mind, enjoying a good read, or maybe even a peaceful nap while classical music plays in the background

I’m also reminded of training, hard training. Indoors and outdoors. Dirt, sweat, blood, canvas, chalk, leather, wood and iron, brass and lead. The kind of place I imagine having where I can spend time each day training and pushing myself; understanding and pushing past my self-imposed limitations with loud music in the background.

You’ll notice the picture of Leonidas, from the movie, “300”, accompanied a quote from the Stoic philosopher, Epictetus which reads, “First, decide who you would be, then do what you must do.” I’ve had this picture on my desk for about a year; a few months ago I made it the cover of my binder where I keep my goals. It is a constant reminder to act and pursue.

Underneath the new title, you see the tag line: Freedom | Strength | Courage | Honor | Mastery | Family.

First, let’s take a look at the beginning and ending “tenets” of the tagline.

Freedom: In life. Financial freedom. To do what I want, when I want; not tied to a 9-5 sedentary desk job. To be the craftsman of my own income and potential. In life, freedom from false allegiances, ties and obligations.

Family: You could also call this “Tribe”; the blood of covenants can be much stronger than the water of birth (which is where the saying blood is thicker than water comes from); some friends are closer, more fiercely loyal than family. I am pursuing Mastery in my life for my own sake, to become better, to grow and learn and improve, however, my family and tribe benefit from this and I take pleasure in that fact. I want them to benefit. I want to enrich the relationships I have and make them stronger.

The middle four tenets are taken from Jack Donovan’s Tactical Virtues in his book “The Way of Men”. I highly recommend reading this book. No, I am not compensated for suggesting it. The book is definitely something I will return to annually, his tactical virtues clarify thoughts and ideas I’ve been driving at.

These four vitures are the qualities you would want in a person if “shit got real”; these are people you want to depend on in a number of scenarios.

Strength: To be physically strong. Strength is a value all its own and you want those you depend on to be strong as well. Mental/emotional/spiritual strength is necessary too, because a weak person will crack regardless of their physical strength when the pressure is on.

Courage: In part, linked with mental/emotional/spiritual strength. It’s also the ability to act, to stand up and fight despite fear.

Honor: Having standards internally and externally to strive towards and to hold yourself accountable to. Having a sense of pride in the things you do that add value to the tribe or shame when you do something to their detriment.

Mastery: To be competent in the task you are given and to continually pursue improvement in areas of your life. Making strengths better and to make your weaknesses areas of competence. To be stronger, smarter, better. To add value to yourself and to the group.

For a better, more in-dept explanation, read “The Way of Men”.

In Pursuit of Mastery is about relentlessly pursuing the best life possible by improving yourself mentally, physically and spiritually.

It all boils down to Mastery, or Mastery covers all of them in some way, shape or form. Like a Master Craftsman of Life.

Masterful in my relationships with tribe and family, in relationships with women and men.

Masterful in my ability to achieve a level of financial freedom; to grow in that area for my benefit and purpose as well as my family and tribe. To carry a level of Mastery and competence in my work.

In pursuit of Strength; competent in the lifts and the PT sessions but continually learning and growing, pushing and striving to be better, stronger, tougher.

To be a man of Honor. Having your “word as your bond” is a rare thing anymore. Its rarity speaks of the lack of understanding of personal and tribal Honor. To continually challenge the weak areas in my life to grow to their fullest potential.

To risk sounding cliché, Mastery is a journey, not necessarily a destination. But it is a journey of ever-increasing skill, knowledge, quality and value. There is always another mountain to climb, another level to rise to, another horizon, another price to pay and another sacrifice to make to get to where you want to be.

 

Pursue Mastery.