Master The Art Of Sprezzatura
Close your eyes for a moment and think of people who elicit admiration in you. It could be your favourite sportsperson, artists whose work leaves you with awe or leaders you respect and look up to.
Though these people could be extremely diverse, you’ll realize there is one common feature they all exhibit. They have mastered their field of work to such an extent, that they make the most difficult things appear easy. They all exhibit ‘Sprezzatura’.
Sprezzatura is an Italian word that was defined by Baldassare Castiglione as ‘a certain nonchalance so as to conceal all art and make whatever one does or says appear to be without effort and almost without any thought about it’. The word ‘Sprezzatura’ has now entered the English language, and the Oxford dictionary defines it as ‘studied carelessness’.
When people manage to accomplish seemingly difficult tasks without even trying, they exhibit Sprezzatura. And we cannot help but admire such people. So, the next time you see your favourite artist perform spontaneously and effortlessly, you know you’re seeing Sprezzatura in action.
What we must understand though, is that while these people may have an innate talent, there is significant effort and practice that goes into mastering their field/art. These masters would have spent years perfecting their craft and attaining a level of competence that makes their work seem effortless.
As you build your personal brand, you can leverage this concept to establish mastery. Here’s how you can do it:
§ Define your niche — preferably something that is within your ‘zone of genius’
§ Identify a role model — someone who is an expert at this field
§ Assess the gap between your current expertise level and that of your role model
§ Create an action plan around the training, practice and reading you need to put in to gain expertise
§ Work on your plan, get in as many practice runs as you can and get feedback from your trusted allies
§ Once you’re confident, start showcasing your expertise and see yourself get better over time
It is not easy though. If it were easy, everyone would have done it, right?
Like the quote by Sarah Ban Breathnach goes — “Making it look easy is the hardest thing in the world to do”.
So, if you really want to gain expertise, play the long game. Put in your best effort and persevere in the face of challenges, knowing that the result will take time. And with consistent effort, you’ll begin to weave the magic of Sprezzatura yourself.
