A craft is something we look to perfect. A craft requires passion. A craft, by definition, requires skill and the constant improvement of that skill.

When we embrace our craft, we are more committed to its purpose. We are more inclined to improvement and the execution of the craft. When we embrace our craft, we are focused on the outcomes, the value it creates for others, our influence in the outcomes and how we deliver the outcomes. When we embrace our craft, we take more ownership for the outcomes and the people who engage us.

A job is something we do. It’s an activity. In jobs, we focus on the activity, not the outcome. When we have a job, we measure time and effort, regardless of the outcome. It allows us to say proudly, I did my job and absolve ourselves of the results.

Those who are not craftsman, (men and women) have jobs. Jobs are what those who don’t embrace a craft do.

Anyone can turn a job into a craft or a craft into a job. It comes down to perspective and attitude.

You can flip burgers at McDonalds and ask, is this burger cooked correctly, just enough on both sides? Did I put it on the bun correctly, so it doesn’t fall out the sides? Did I wrap it in a manner that doesn’t have it fall out in the bag? Did I put the condiments on in a manner that they don’t shoot out the bottom and onto someone’s white pants as they are headed to their next meeting? How can I do this to perfection?  This is a craft.

You can also flip burgers at McDonalds and say, I flipped burgers for 8 hours. I did what was expected. I came back from my breaks on time. I didn’t burn any burgers. I didn’t drop any on the floor. I wasn’t late getting them out the door. I followed the handbook. That’s a job.

The only deciding factor in determining if you have a job or a craft is your perspective and how you act.

Do you have a job or do you have a craft?