The Clarity of the Craftsman
In this reading, Cal Newport introduces two different approaches to thinking about work ; the craftsman mindset and a passion mindset. While most people adopt the passion mindset, meaning that they focus on what value their job offers them, Cal argues in this reading that the Craftsman mindset (focus on what value you’re producing in your job) is the solution to adopt for creating work you love.
I found this reading a bit philosophical and therefore quite confusing. Jordan Tice, a young professional guitar player is portrayed in this reading and introduced to us as a craftsman mindset-er.
“As I concluded after meeting Jordan Tice, there’s something liberating about the craftsman mindset : it asks you to leave behind self-centred concerns about whether your job is “just right”, and instead put your head down and plug away at getting really damn good”
Cal argues that no matter what job you get, focusing on what value you’re producing in your job is crucial for building a career you love. I have mixed feelings about Cal’s point of view : it would be hard not to agree with Cal on the fact that you need to work hard for your career and earn your position. You cannot just expect things to happen just because you have a passion for it.
On the other hand though, I cannot really agree with Cal when it comes to “the mindset most people approach their working lives” with. Cal Newport points out two reasons he dislikes the Passion mindset; the first argument being that if you spend too much time focusing on your work, you will become more aware of things you do not like about it, and this will lead to unhappiness. I believe people can be happy focusing on what value their job has to offer them, and find their happiness and passion outside of the work environment.
So what does that all mean in the end? Are you going to end up confused and sad for the rest of your life if you’re a passion mindset?
After this confusing brainstorm, I came to the conclusion that no matter what job you get, it is important to always work your best and try and learn as much as you can to get good experiences out of it, without having to ask yourself too many “ambiguous and unanswerable questions” though.
Cal Newport, 2012, ‘The Clarity of the Craftsman’ in So Good They Can’t Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work, NY Business Plus, ch.4.