Welcome to Life Masterpiece Journal
“The journal is an artifact, proof of your work for future generations.
It is a work which must speak for itself.”
— The Anonymous Craftsperson
A long standing practice observed for centuries in workshops of every type across the world, is the use of the workshop journal. This particular type of journal serves as a reference point or ‘benchmark’ for all craftspeople in the workshop to compare their work, pose questions, share insights, experiences, tool tips and techniques with other practitioners.
Following this same tradition and practical structure, Life Masterpiece Journal serves as a ‘how-to’ reference guide for all who would practice ‘life-as-a-craft’, to make a masterpiece of their life.
In its pages you will find entries by writers covering a wide range of topics relevant to the practice of ‘life-as-a-craft’ organized in a distinct structure we call The Five Elements, the same as you would find in the workshop journal of any trade or craft.
As the craftsperson of your own life, we encourage you to study the works presented in Life Masterpiece Journal, practice what you have chosen to study, and progressively improve your skills to Make a Masterpiece of Your Life.
Contributors Welcome
We invite you to contribute and share your insights, experiences, tool tips, and techniques via Life Masterpiece Journal. As in the traditional workshop journal, our focus is on guiding other craftspeople ‘how-to’ achieve an improved outcome in their practice of life-as-a-craft.
If you would like to publish a story, contact: Publisher@MyLifeMasterpiece.com with a story link, published or draft, that you would like to share in the Journal.
Our History
Spanning more than three decades, Charles Collins has engaged in the study and practice of The Way of Craftsmanship, as handed down over the centuries by master craftsmen and craftswomen across the spectrum of the world’s trades, and professions.
From Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas, Charles has discovered a clear set of practical, down-to-earth principles that define ‘craftsmanship’, transcend cultures and time, and which anyone can skillfully apply to the practice ‘life-as-a-craft’.
Life-as-a-Craft
The driving force behind this work is based on a single principle that, the myriad activities of the ‘craft-of-life’ can be systematically organized, managed, taught and learned similar to the ways in which we organize, manage, teach and practice our trades, occupations and professions.
All one needs is the curriculum to organize ‘what to learn’, guidance by mentors in ‘how-to apply’ what is learned, and personal commitment by the individual to demonstrate incremental improvement.
Making a Masterpiece of Your Life
In 2012, Making a Masterpiece of Your Life; the book introduced The Five Elements of practicing ‘life-as-a-craft’, based on the organizing principles found in the world’s craftsmanship teachings, practices, and traditions.
Seven years later, the release of The Way of Craftsmanship: The Tao of ‘Life-as-a-Craft’, introduced the universal principles of craftsmanship as expressed in cultures across the world.
Later that same year, Making A Masterpiece of Your Life; the podcast was released.
Life Masterpiece Journal
In The Way of Craftsmanship we learn that the journal is used as a tool, in different capacities across all Four Phases of Living.
The Master’s Journal is specifically purposed for recording the main principles for crafting a masterpiece. It is a plan with a beginning, middle, and end.
The end goal of your life is to leave your Master’s Journal; a craftsman’s work product, to guide other journeymen and journeywomen (skilled practitioners) in their personal pursuit of craftsmanship.
Life Masterpiece Journal — is a traditional ‘how-to’ workshop journal wherein craftspeople can compare their work, pose questions, share insights, experiences, tool tips and techniques with other practitioners of ‘life-as-a-craft’.
“If you’re going to make something of your life, make it a masterpiece.”
