142. George Pocock - The Life of a True Craftsman

Diving into the life of craftsman and boatbuilder, George Pocock

-----

“It’s a great art, is rowing. It’s the finest art there is. It’s a symphony of motion. And when you’re rowing well, why it’s nearing perfection. And when you’re nearing perfection, you’re touching the Divine. It touches the you of yous. Which is your soul.”

- George Pocock

-----

Sources

Ready All - Gordan Newell and Dick Erickson

Boys in the Boat - Daniel James Brown

-----

Time Stamps

3:40 - Why be a craftsman

4:55 - George's origins

5:45 - A motto for life - amor fati

9:22 - The apprenticeship

10:50 - The lesson from his dad: “Now you can build your own boat for this race, and I will give you one bit of advice. No one will ask you how long it took you to build it, they will only ask who built it.”

16:20 - Good work leads to good oppotunities

18:55 - Great opportunity, followed by great disaster

20:45 - The craftsman banishes negativity and bullshit

23:45 - How building boats opened up new opportunties

26:50 - How Geroge Pocock helped build/get the Boeing company off the ground

28:45 - Choosing meaning > money

30:05 - How he dealt with the tough early days as a full-time boat builder

34:10 - A beautiful story on loyalty

38:20 - The character building of rowing and finding your "rowing" activities

42:15 - The craftsman ultiamte goal

42:53 - Lose yourself in the work

44:18 - Good work needs good thoughts

45:00 - The work should touch your soul

-----

Check out my books below.

Daily Greatness: Short Stories and Essays on the Act of Becoming

Chasing Greatness 2nd Edition - Timeless Stories on the Pursuit of Excellence

-----

You can check stay connected and support below:

Website
Books
Instagram
X
LinkedIn