Last week was about identifying what your craft is.  This week is about putting in the work to master your craft.  It’s inspired by my niece, Shelby.

Shelby has always loved hair.  She had done it for herself and friends, and about a year ago she decided to pursue it as a career.  This was her craft, her calling.  I’m not sure how she would describe doing hair as a craft, but I’d say it’s all about harnessing the power of transformation.  While Shelby already had some talent and skill, she had a desire to master her craft.  About a year ago, she started cosmetology school where she  learned new haircut techniques, color combinations, and other tips and tricks.  Every single day she was working to get better.  The picture above is work my niece did for my wife.  I know I’m biased, but I think it looks AMAZING.  My niece wouldn’t have been able to do that on Day 1, but through the constant striving to be better she’s improved and is at a higher level now than when she started.  Now she’s graduated and getting ready to start in a salon, but she’s not done growing.  She’s still learning.  Still trying to get better.  She’s constantly working to master her craft.  (#soproudofher)

What does this have to do with anything?  Shelby identified her craft and then went somewhere to work on her craft to get better.  I don’t know about you, but I allow myself to get stagnant sometimes.  I get so caught up in the day to day of life that I stop trying to learn.  I also get caught up in, “Well, I’ve done this before, so I’m already great at this.”  As a result of all of this, sometimes  I stop striving to get better.  Do you ever fall into that trap?  Last week we explored how our craft is so much deeper and more powerful than our job.  I believe that in our hearts, all of our crafts somehow connect to making the world better.  If this is the case, we can’t afford to stop growing and learning.

The challenge: Are you putting in the work to master your craft?

Have a jolly good day,

Andrew Embry