“So Good They Can’t Ignore You”- Cal Newport “Passion vs Craftsmanship” or a “Search for a Meaningful Life”

What leads us on the journey’s we take? What is the source of our quest for a creative life? Where do our interests and passions stem from? What gives our life meaning?

Newport’s premise that we should strive to achieve the best that we possibly can until those around us cannot ignore our abilities is a strong premise that is worthwhile to apply in many facets of life. If we are painting a wall it is great to learn from an experienced painter familiar with the tricks of the trade and our results will be better and we will be proud of our accomplishments. But as a creative person the wall won’t really inspire me. But when I paint the wall with a growing vine covered in flowers the result will surprise me each time I look at it.

When I studied art for Secondary Teaching we often discussed the difference between a potter and a ceramicist. The difference between an artist and a craftsman. The craftsman can toil in his studio and become a competent and wonderful master of his craft but will he be an artist? Can he ever “become” an artist or will he always lack the creative flair, the inspired originality of an artist? I think these are the questions missing in this article. If we strive to achieve the best we are able to accomplish, we will gain immense pride and satisfaction in our work. It will give us joy and delight and pride and we will enjoy our work and our lives, as long as we picked the right work for our soul.

When I first became involved in Facebook I thought it a wonderful platform of discovery. I found myself returning time and time again to my deepest interests: the environment and social activism and spirituality. These were the things that gave my life meaning. But they were not necessarily the fields I chose to work in.

When I was young I worked in an insurance company and I wasn’t at all inspired by the work, it was boring, and I quit. My brother asked me what I would “like” to do. I love furniture and decorative arts, particularly Japanese, Chinese and Korean furniture. I wanted to have a shop and import my products by traveling overseas myself. My brother told me to “get real” and be practical. So I did.. I thought about how I could achieve my goals and what were the moral aspects I needed to address. I love recycling as opposed to new manufacture so antiques was a good place to start. I could buy locally and establish the kind of business I wanted and work to build capital to finance my wish to travel and import. I wanted to help exotic and disappearing tribal artisans maintain their tribal traditions, so I could encourage these industries by buying direct from traditional peoples and pay a fair price for their work, and not buy from wholesalers. This would help keep these rich artistic traditions alive and give poor people a good revenue for their work. In the 15 years I did this work no matter how hard things were, how under-financed, at times boring, I never felt that I did a moments work. If people asked me what I did for work I would answer, “I don’t work”. Of course I did, often long into the night designing container layout, purchase lists, restoring furniture all night sometimes. All of it was a joy and exciting, even the difficult times.

Later I worked in “Traffic Control” for about five years and learnt to be the best and safest worker I could be. I became a delegate in the union and was trained in many aspects of safety across all facets of the construction industry and I was good, very good. Project managers would request me to be on their jobs and business for my company expanded as our client base increased. What brought me to the attention of my union was my reputation, but mainly it was my honesty and integrity. I lived by the premise of my industry “Safety First”. I was invited onto the managing committee of the CFMEU with the view, I found out later, of my becoming president of the most powerful union in the county. It was not the work that kept me inspired in my job though. It was my curious mind that loved to learn how the engineering was working, learning about the fascinating processes of the build. What was involved in removing giant trees..needing to take down power-lines to move the giant root-balls across town. It was a passion to learn about all kinds of fascinating aspects of my industry. Then the crunch came for me.. my aged mother need me to care for her. I had to leave the industry I loved to become a live-in carer for my Mum, in another city, and leave my aspirations and friends behind.

What have I learned. For me it was how important was my family to me. How much I loved them and needed them to be happy. I was proud of my heritage. All my positive qualities I could relate back to them. My father’s line taught me to value integrity, to be courageous, to stick up for the underdog and protect people around you, do your best for them, and he loved music. My Grandmother taught me to take care of the less fortunate, she always had people without families for Christmas lunch or living in her house while they “got on their feet”. My great uncle was a famous actor, a talent my daughter inherited. My grandfather taught me a gentle and patient perseverance, and love for making things with my hands. I learned leadlight and other crafts. My mother was an artist, our creativity comes from her. She was a painter with an interest in the arts and traditional crafts. We grew up in a home rich in culture and discussion and debate. Through my spirituality I connect with them now, and we learn from each other. They teach me things and learn from my pastimes. Whether you belief in the spirit realm or not, this communication is an integral part of my life. I know they are with me and encourage me in my endeavour’s. My father regretted not undertaking tertiary studies and traveling more. Now he does those things with me.

What is important in life? If we can grow the great human qualities in ourselves, compassion, generosity, patience, joyous effort, kindness, these are the things that will make us better human beings reward us with life’s riches.