Issue 61 - Craft

Welcome to Issue 61 of Deep Life Reflections, where I share five things I’ve been enjoying and thinking about over the past week.

In this week’s issue, we take an in-depth look at the art of building craft. We explore the lifetime work and wisdom of John McPhee in his memoir, Draft No. 4, reflect on the genius and complexity of one of motorsport’s greatest drivers in the documentary Senna, and contemplate how each of us can build our own craft little by little.

Join me as we explore this week’s Friday Five.

1. What I’m Reading

Draft No.4. By John McPhee.

“Perhaps the most revered nonfiction narrative journalist of our time.” - Corby Kummer, The New York Times Book Review.

John McPhee is a writer. An exceptional one. He’s been honing his craft for over half a century as a staff writer for The New Yorker, where he’s worked since 1965. McPhee has published thirty-three books and is a four-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, winning the award in 1999. His memoir, Draft No.4, is a collection of essays that share his lifetime of insights and experiences in writing. It embodies the wisdom of someone truly dedicated to their craft.  

McPhee writes about highly eclectic subjects, reflecting his diverse interests. He’s profiled scientists, athletes, eccentrics, and specialists of all kinds. His topics range from the psyche of a nuclear engineer (The Curve of Binding Energy), a wilderness area in New Jersey (The Pine Barrens), and the movement of coal across America (Coal Train in Uncommon Carriers), to a memoir of his family’s stay on the island of Colonsay in Scotland (The Crofter and the Laird). He’s even written a short book entirely about oranges.

While the book’s primary audience may be aspiring or established writers, McPhee’s lessons universally apply. In one essay, he emphasises the importance of experimentation in discovering your writing identity. “Young writers find out what kinds of writers they are by experiment. Write in every genre. If you are telling yourself you’re a poet, write poems. Write a lot of poems. If fewer than one work out, throw them all away; you’re not a poet. Maybe you’re a novelist. You won’t know until you have written several novels.” This approach applies to any craft or profession—experimenting and exploring different paths can help anyone find their true calling.

Given his extensive body of work and the high regard of his peers, one might assume McPhee is a workaholic, tirelessly typing away for hours on end every day. But this is far from the truth. In one of the most insightful parts of the book, McPhee reveals he rarely writes more than 500 words a day. When asked about this paradox, he responded, “People say to me, ‘Oh, you’re so prolific’…God, it doesn’t feel like it—nothing like it. But, you know, you put an ounce in a bucket each day, you get a quart.” McPhee exemplifies ‘Slow Productivity,’ a topic I discussed in an earlier issue. It’s not frantic busyness now that determines whether you'll look back on your career with pride, but the steady accumulation of effort in something meaningful. Adding a little to the bucket each day makes all the difference.

Draft No.4 celebrates a life devoted to writing and mastering a craft. While not everyone aspires to be a writer, the lessons McPhee shares are valuable to anyone pursuing their own craft.

2. What I’m Watching

Senna. Directed by Asif Kapadia.

“There’s only one word that describes Ayrton’s style, and that is ‘fast.’ He would take the car beyond its design capabilities.” – John Bisignano, ESPN F1 commentator.

This month marks the 30th anniversary of the death of Ayrton Senna—the Brazilian F1 driver considered by many to be the greatest of all time. Senna won the F1 World Championship three times before his tragic death at the San Marino Grand Prix.

At 2:17 pm on Sunday, May 1, 1994, Senna’s car flew off the track on lap 7 at the Tamburello corner, slamming into an unprotected concrete barrier at 211 km/h (131 mph). At 6:40 pm, doctors announced that Senna had died. The Brazilian government declared three days of national mourning, and an estimated three million people lined the streets of his hometown in São Paulo on the day of his funeral.  

Asif Kapadia’s documentary, Senna, released in 2010, captures the rise, legend, and legacy of Ayrton Senna, both as a man and a driver. Relying entirely on archival footage, Kapadia expertly contrasts episodes of adrenaline-pumping speed (Senna’s mastery of the compact, twisted streets of Monaco being particularly spellbinding) with moments of reflective slow motion. This contrast captures the addictive thrill and inherent danger of the sport, as well as Senna’s personal values. Senna was both a deep thinker and a kind of artist, driven by an unquenchable thirst for excellence.

A significant part of the documentary’s impact is the music of composer Antonio Pinto, a fellow Brazilian. Pinto’s score is sublime and affecting, introspective and exhilarating—evoking the soul of Senna. The crescendo when Senna finally wins his beloved Brazilian Grand Prix—despite having to drive the final few laps stuck in sixth gear—lifting the huge trophy despite the agony in his shoulder, captures the essence of Senna; a man seemingly put on earth to do only one thing.

The documentary analyses Senna’s ‘win at all costs’ mentality, particularly focusing on his infamous rivalry with competitor and later teammate, Alain Prost. It reveals a complex man: one always ready to push for the gap, yet one committed to improving driver safety with the authorities. This portrayal—which had the approval and support of his family—makes Senna a very human hero. Brilliant, yet flawed.

His was a life lived in the extreme, dedicated to his craft until that tragic end in San Marino.

3. What I’m Contemplating

I recently had the opportunity to join my good friend, Fahad, on his health and fitness-themed podcast, ‘What the Fahad’. The topic was about getting back in the game after a long layoff. We discussed strategies for finding motivation, tips for setting realistic goals, and proven methods for overcoming common barriers. I shared my own journey of recovering from open-heart surgery and the challenges I’ve faced along the way. If you’re looking to reignite your health journey, you can listen to the podcast below.

This week’s issue focuses on craft, and Fahad’s podcast is a prime example of building that craft. Having completed one full season, Fahad is now working on a second series. It’s something he loves to do, and he’s dedicated to continuous improvement and learning—in other words, perfecting his craft. Although this isn’t his day job, he has found a passion that allows him to create value in the community by sharing the stories of others.

Just like John McPhee, Fahad is experimenting and gradually adding to his bucket. Eventually, that bucket will be full.

4. A Quote to note

“In the realm of ideas, everything depends on enthusiasm. …In the real world, all rests on perseverance.”

- Goethe

5. A Question for you

Is there a craft where you want to “add a little to the bucket each day,” and if so, what steps will you take to make consistent progress?

Thanks for reading and being part of the Deep Life Journey community. If you have any reflections on this issue, please leave a comment. Have a great weekend.

James

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