Gardener or Carpenter

Do you have a gardener mindset or a carpenter mindset? A gardener plants, nurtures, attends to the needs, then allows the growth process to happen naturally and organically. A carpenter works diligently from a blueprint or a plan to actively produce a piece of work. Both gardeners and carpenters have a specific desired outcome in mind, and we can easily observe the relatively predictable progression from beginning to end.

Gardeners and Carpenters. Nurturing and Refining. Growing and Building.

I first heard the phrase, "think like a gardener, work like a carpenter" when reading Daniel Coyle's book, The Talent Code. Daniel's book is about building skills and developing talent in a variety of areas such as academics, athletics, and the arts. I read the book through the lens of a coach to help me better understand skill and talent development in tennis players, and I really like the "gardener/carpenter" analogy. Teaching a sport like tennis requires a great deal of time, patience, deep practice, and deliberate coaching. As a coaching gardener, I knew that I needed to provide the right environment with the right opportunities and work over a long period of time. As a coaching carpenter, I knew I needed to work deliberately on small, fundamental physical and mental skills. Working to develop a "finished" work that could legitimately compete at a higher level. It was clear to me that both gardening mindset and carpentry work ethic were necessary and valuable components to player development.

“Think patiently, without judgment. Work steadily, strategically, knowing that each piece connects to a larger whole.” – Daniel Coyle. As a coach, I've found that this way of thinking and working helps me remain patient in the long, multi-year process of player development. As a teacher, this way of thinking about growth and development is also valuable. We educators are very concerned about the quarterly, semester, and annual outcomes but we have to remember and value the process. Our gardening minds know this will take time. Our carpentry work ethic reminds us that we have to make small, daily gains. Often times it is difficult to see the daily gains, so our profession also requires a great deal of patience. Patience and diligence. Two critical ingredients in both coaching and teaching success.

The gardener/carpenter way of thinking is valuable in many of life's disciplines. Our personal and professional development, our spiritual development, our relational development, and our financial and fitness development. Any area that requires growth and improvement over time benefits from the patience and diligence of the gardening mindset and carpentry work ethic. In pursuit of the outcome, don't forget to enjoy the process. Keep growing and building a great life.

Enjoy the day!

The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle

Interesting interview with child psychologist, Alison Gopnik