Craftsman-what image fills your mind when you read, or even speak, this word? Is it seeing the transformation of raw wood into a stunning piece of furniture? Does your mind conjure up an artist compelling a breath-taking visual image from colorful globs of paint? Maybe you picture the Master Craftsman’s exquisite method of painting the sky with pinks, oranges, and reds during a picturesque sunrise or sunset. Perhaps, like me, you see a red and white logo of the brand of tools created by Sears! Sorry, it’s true. I have seen that logo for nearly 50 years as the daughter of a service technician. But I digress!
Niggling in my brain since Union art professor, Steve Halla,used the term during a faculty workshop session, I’ve pondered the connections to Gen Z as conversations have arisen over their need to be mentored by craftsmen in professional fields; the same technique of apprenticeship that has been practiced for centuries. Active learning, such of that as an apprentice or an intern; has been proven time and again to be effective in mastering specific skills, whether the term Deliberate Practice is used or some other variation of the concept. This idea of investing hours to increase one’s level of expertise applies not only to artists but to athletes, students, administrators, or any profession one chooses to consider. Currently, I am favoring the use of this term, craftsman, to describe the process necessary to find the path to a flourishing life.
In the book entitled So Good They Can’t Ignore You, Cal Newport describes the Craftsman Mindset in efforts to provide a better avenue to a successful life. Rather than our current culture’s emphasis on following one’s passions or what he terms, a passion mindset, instead we are encouraged to embrace a Craftsman Mindset to reach our professional goals. Although I lean more towards the process of allowing God to reveal your passions and connecting those to a potential vocation, Newport’s Craftsman Mindset holds a great deal of value as well for emerging adults. Even without sharing Carol Dweck’s research on mindset, my hope is that readers will still find a connection with the magnitude of combining one’s thoughts with the actions one takes.
Newport offers, “Whereas the craftsman mindset focuses on what you can offer the world, the passion mindset focuses instead on what the world can offer you. This mindset is how most people approach their working lives… First, when you focus only on what your work offers you, it makes you hyperaware of what you don’t like about it, leading to chronic unhappiness. This is especially true for entry-level positions, which, by definition, are not going to be filled with challenging projects and autonomy—these come later.”
One of the benefits of working with Campers on Mission, combined with the amazing faculty in the Art Department at Union, I am able to regularly witness the manifestation of the Craftsman Mindset in the traditional consideration of craftsmanship; but what I find even more intriguing is investigating how others have embraced this mindset in establishing a flourishing life or career. Union’s campus is ripe with examples of the Craftsman Mindset from watching the transformation of Union students from the first days of preparing for a GO Trip to the passion that is developed when the role they can play is revealed in impacting unreached populations. These students comprehend that they have something to offer the world that is important and needed. It’s witnessing a student struggle with the decision of selecting a major to seeing a sense of purpose and dedication arise when that path becomes clear; knowing the road ahead will be difficult, but that a Habit of Resilience will develop when the toiling transforms into reward. The Craftsman Mindset is one of growth and clarity that hard work and investment in time and relational equity will result in a Habit of Growth, leading towards a flourishing life.
Just as a master craftsman spends years honing their craft, listening to the wisdom of mentors, and seeking ways to improve, all of us can adopt a Craftsman Mindset to grow professionally, personally, and spiritually. “There’s something liberating about the craftsman mindset: It asks you to leave behind self-centered concerns about whether your job is ‘just right,’ and instead put your head down and plug away at getting really…good. No one owes you a great career, it argues; you need to earn it—and the process won’t be easy.”
In what ways have you seen people embrace the Craftsman Mindset to become a better, more fulfilled person? Please share the in comments below.
References:
Dweck, C.S. (2007). Mindset: The new psychology of success. How we can learn to fulfill our potential. Ballantine Books.
Flourishing @ Life 
Could these Craftsmen Mindsets be turned into some sort of labels? While reading this when you talked about different types of craftsmen in my head I was just labeling them. Artistic Craftsmen, Sports Craftsmen, and someone who is taking the time to sculpt their body could be a Body Craftsmen.
Now to your question, Yes I have seen many people embrace the Craftsmen mindset. My examples will be many students here at Union. Last year was my second year here at Union and we had some transfers on the baseball team come in that really didn’t have any relationship with the Lord. For anyone who doesn’t attend Union or know about its values, it is nearly impossible for you to attend this institution and not have some sort of relationship with God. Back to the story, In the past year, I have seen those kids make huge leaps and strides and become so curious about scripture and God’s plan that they ask non-stop questions and are eager to learn about it. They have what I would call a Christian Craftsman Mindset.
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