Almost immediately after I turned in my Master's proficiency, I was brought back west of the altar and installed as Junior Deacon, to serve out the last six months of the year; our regular JD having quit coming to lodge after the second meting or so. Since then, I've served through each of the chairs and have just started my year in the East. Along the way, I've served in just about every chair, at least on a pro tem basis, and am one of the three or four dozen brothers who have both the blue and red instructor certifications from the GL.
We learn in the Fellowcraft degree that Freemasonry is a "progressive science"... Likewise, going through each chair progressively, not skipping any, is a progressive education in how a lodge runs. As JD, it's a good education in just how the lodge room and the meetings therein function. My year as SD was the time to learn the Ritual and all the floor work. As Junior Warden, I learned the logistics end of things, how to keep the brethren fed and happy, to search the Digest of Laws, and a little bit on the disciplinary end of things. As SW, I learned the operational end... coordinating work and service projects, director of work for degrees and other functions, and trying to find that happy medium of peace and harmony among the brethren and the appendant bodies that share our lodge. And now as Master, you're very much [finanlly] and "overseer of the work," keeping all the plates spinning and mentoring your subordinate officers and other brethren to be able to take your place this time next year...
It's a life-long journey and process. Next year, once out of the East, I'd like to travel a bit more, and spend my efforts helping out in the areas that I've found that I like most in my journey, helping out with the ritual program, and working in the dining hall and kitchens.
We each have our own journeys and experiences, so mileage may vary according to the individual brother...
Tom