Is what you do for a living a Job? A Career? Or Craft?
How serious are you about success and getting to the top of your game? In taking others to the top of their game? How invested are you towards your craft?
The difference between a Job, Career and Craft are by no means subtle.
The below infographic summarises my thoughts on the topic.
What separates a craftsman from those who have a job or a career? Let’s discuss this further:
Focus
The craftsman’s focus is not short term or long term. They view what they do as an artform, a craft. What they do is linked to their identity. They are proud of what they do, achieve the outcomes, but more importantly they are invested in the process. They value the process and the practice of their craft.
Growth
The craftsman has a relentless pursuit towards growth and continuous improvement. Every exceptional leader or top tier performer I have met has deliberately pursued growth. The examples are everywhere from the sporting field to the business arena. Recently when I spoke with John Maxwell over lunch, he detailed his thoughts on improvement. He talked at length about the Leadership Lid and that each day in his role he stays within his strength zone and faith zone and that he looks for growth every day in these areas. Consistency compounds and this has been key to his craft.
I love this quote by Robin Sharma
“The thing about a professional is, he always thinks like an amateur. What I mean by that is, you want to maintain this lunchbox mentality. You want to be boots on the ground, relentless learning, a humble servant of your craft, because the moment you think you’re an executive or a master, you start to lose the very winning formula that made you so successful.”
The craftsman’s view on growth is summed up well by legendary basketball coach John Wooden who states: “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.”
Hours
The craftsman doesn’t switch off in the traditional sense. As mentioned their identity is tied towards the craft. They don’t work 9-5, they are constantly on. This comes back to their identity, they don't clock in and out. They stay on.
If you are in sales then you are always looking for leads, seeing new opportunities and companies, building relationships, engaging with your target market, investing in your area of specialty.
You don't leave the job at the door. You take your craft with you, always!
Standard
Craftsmen both set the standard and reinvent/raise the standard. Mastery is about refinement. They seek new tests and challenges. They actively move outside of their comfort zone.
Engagement
The craftsmen are passionate; their engagement doesn’t wane. They are self-disciplined, and locked in, each and every day. Their power comes from unrivaled consistency. They have mental triggers that drive them, their identity pushes them forward and they give 120%. They expect excellence of themselves. This doesn't mean they don't have bad days. We all do. But they know how to lock in and drive success regardless of their surrounds. They don't let external factors give them excuses. They have clear and written goals and this amplifies both their clarity and execution.
Mindset
Mindset is another area in which the craftsman sets himself apart. They are passionate about what they do but also in helping others. They don’t feel the grind as they have moved well past this. They aren't seeking to climb the ladder, as they know where their values lies and their success speaks for itself. They find passion in giving back to those around them, teaching others and replicating their success. The shift is mindset becomes about creating a legacy.
This legacy extends to all parts of their role or craft. They set themselves apart and add value to all those the craft touches.
Motivation
The craftsman is motivated by a higher prospect than money or experience. They may make good money and are always seeking to improve on their experience but their motivation lies in giving back to others. They believe he who serves the most wins.
Modern day examples are all around us from Steve Wozniak, Sheryl Sandberg, Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, Ray Dalio or even my local barista who treats his role as a craft!
Who stands out to you as a master of their craft?
How will you move from job to career to craft?
I'd love to hear your thoughts below.
This article is originally published at www.matthewcossens.com/blog/
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