By Jeffrey Whalen

Across cultures and time, carpenters have represented man’s ability to create. They are the mark of mature manhood. A carpenter is homo faber – man the creator. (Note that in this article we have used the masculine “he,” but there are many women who work in creative fields such as carpentry.)

Instead of passively consuming and letting things happen to him, a carpenter shapes the world to his liking and proactively influences it. Ancient philosophers in both the West and the East have used the craftsman as a symbol of he who contributes to his community, and as an ensign of humility, self-reliance, and calm industry.

Over time, the ideal of craftsmanship was cordoned off to include only the technical arts. Physicians and legislators no longer thought of themselves as craftsmen, but as philosophers and natural scientists who were more concerned with the theoretical as opposed to the practical. Such a shift is a shame, because the principles of craftsmanship truly do apply to every man, whether he makes furniture or music, or crunches numbers.

Fundamental to the code of craftsmanship is the desire to do something well for its own sake.

“Make every product better than it’s ever been done before. Make the parts you cannot see as well as the parts you can see. Use only the best materials, even for the most everyday items. Give the same attention to the smallest detail as you do to the largest. Design every item you make to last forever.” – Shaker Philosophy of Furniture Making

The most fulfilling reward of living by the craftsmanship ethic is the feeling of pride that comes with knowing you gave a certain job your best effort. Enjoy the unmatchable satisfaction of seeing your inner integrity displayed in the wholeness and quality of your external labor.

Plan – But Not Too Much

With any project, the craftsman creates twice: first mentally and then physically. Before he sets chisel to stone or hammer to wood, the craftsman has already created his work in his mind. In other words, he plans how to bring out the object from the rough materials and tools before him.

On the other hand, although the craftsman understands the importance of planning, he isn’t over-fastidious about it. Instead of detailed blueprints, the master craftsman prefers the rough sketch, because he knows that unforeseen problems – or opportunities – can arise once he’s actually working on his creation.

Measure Twice, Cut Once

This is one of the simplest and most memorable maxims of craftsmen, although it’s not always easy to follow in everyday life. Suffice it to say that while you should leave room in your plans for improvisation, when it comes to making decisions that you can’t take back, make sure you’ve studied and pondered your choices thoroughly before you make your “cut.”

Work With What’s Available

The master craftsman understands that most of the time he’ll never have the ideal materials, tools, or environment he needs. Unforeseen knots can be discovered in wood and hidden imperfections in stone are revealed. Instead of becoming frustrated, the master craftsman adjusts his plans and works the imperfections into his creation, so well that you’d never know they were there. He can sometimes even mould an imperfection into a source of strength for the piece.

Sometimes a craftsman doesn’t have the exact tool he needs, so he improvises with what he has and learns something new in the process. Remember, some of history’s greatest men turned what could have been a weakness into strength.

Cultivate Patience and Discipline

A good craftsman has the patience to stay with frustrating work, even when it takes longer than he originally thought. He avoids frustration by living according to this maxim: when something takes longer than you expect, stop resisting and embrace it.

Let Go of Your Ego

The craftsman willingly opens himself up to teaching, criticism, and judgment from his peers and clients because he knows it’s the only way he can improve. He doesn’t take criticism personally, because the craftsman is more concerned about doing good work than feeling good about himself and the opinions of others.

Mastery Brings Meaning

Mastery is the goal of the true craftsman. As an apprentice, the would-be craftsman devotes years of his life humbly submitting to quiet observation. He watches his master as he works and gives an attentive ear to the master’s instructions. After years of passive observation, an apprentice begins experimenting with his craft to determine and improve his skill. Through years of trial and error, he slowly hones his skill to a sharp edge.

Even when a craftsman has obtained the level of master, he continues to dedicate his life to constant improvement. He understands that by increasing his ability, he increases his value. By mastering his trade, the craftsman is better able to live by the craftsmanship ethic, which, in turn, allows him to feel deeper personal satisfaction, develop confidence, and contribute to his community. In this way, the craftsman experiences greater and greater meaning and fulfillment in his work.

Whether you spend your days knee-deep in sawdust, paperwork, or diapers, by adopting and living the traditional values of the craftsman you’ll find more personal fulfillment and meaning, enrich your family and community, and hammer, mold, and sculpt an indelible legacy as a human being.

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