The Path to Mastery part 2

My last post may leave the impression that one can become a Master at something by simply learning the rules and following them. One might assume the the rules are the important part of the process. This would be a mistake. As part 2 I am writing an addendum to expand Step 6 of the Path. It is as follows:

6) Teach yourself when and how it is appropriate to bend or break the rules. This is called improvisation

a) Try something that isn't covered by the rules
b) Fail
c) Go back to 6-a and repeat until something works
d) When something works keep it and go back to 6-a again

Following the rules is based on being consistent and minimizing the chance of failure. Improvisation, however, is based on failing a lot and learning from those failures as much as possible.

If the path in question is not a place where one can fail repeatedly, then there is no room for mastery and one should move on to something else.