Are you primarily an achiever or a master? Let's start with an allegory about some differences. There is a fairy tale about an evil sorceress who places a curse on a prince, turning him into a frog. It is only when he is kissed by the princess that he becomes a person again.

" H A P P I N E S S  I S   
A  B U T T E R F L Y
W H I C H  W H E N
P U R S U E D  I S
J U S T  B E Y O N D  
Y O U R  G R A S P ,
B U T  I F  Y O U  W I L L
S I T  Q U I E T L Y ,  M A Y
A L I G H T  U P O N  Y O U "
Nathaniel Hawthorne

" A C H I E V E M E N T  I S
E X C I T I N G ,
M A S T E R Y  I S
F U L F I L L I N G "
Unknown





" I T ' S  A  W R O N G  I D E A
T H A T  A  M A S T E R  I S
A  F I N I S H E D  P E R S O N .
M A S T E R S  A R E  V E R Y
F A U L T Y ,  T H E Y
H A V E N ' T  L E A R N E D
E V E R Y T H I N G
A N D  T H E Y
K N O W  I T "
Robert Henri

The saying that comes from the fairy tale is "you have to kiss a few frogs before you find the prince". I interpret this to mean that there is at least a minimal process involved in successfully reaching an identified outcome. After all, "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again."

An achiever will work hard at catching and kissing a few frogs in order to reach the goal of finding the prince. Should no frog magically transform into the prince, an achiever will become anxious and urgently look for a solution. Perhaps a net, additional help or the placement of an attractive female frog decoy in the pond with an accompanying nature CD of frog sounds will yield the prince. These solutions will be immediately implemented.

A master will gather information that will be useful in the process of catching and kissing frogs. A master will carefully observe frogs and notice with great interest that sneaking up on one is difficult because its bulging eyes see in all directions. Better to catch frogs at night. Their eyes flash red when shined with a flashlight and they can be immobilized through hypnosis by shining the light in both eyes simultaneously. Frogs can be found under leaves and rocks when water is scarce. The prince will probably be found among the large frogs. They croak with deep, masculine voices as compared to the high, feminine voices of small frogs. Finally, care is required when kissing a frog because it has a sticky tongue for catching insects.

A master values the learning that comes from being fully present in any experience rather than being focussed on a specific outcome. Consequently, a master is more likely to be directed by experience to a different outcome than originally planned. All is not lost if the prince is not found. An achiever values competing and doing something better or before anyone else does it. Consequently, an achiever is more likely to direct experience toward the desired outcome. There will either be the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat.

Winners are admired and learners inspire. The direction of the effects are exactly the opposite. Winners receive from others and learners give to others. An achiever has set the bar a notch higher than others can only hope to jump. A master offers accumulated wisdom about the process of learning to learn to others. The achiever wants to hook the biggest fish. A master learns how to fish and guides others to do the same (perhaps by using frogs for bait). That may be a more fulfilling outcome.