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Mapping, Making, and Meshing: Developing the Mindset of a Developer (ICC Blog # 52)

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In his book "Die Empty," Todd Henry presents the important ideas of Mapping, Making, and Meshing as crucial elements for attaining excellence and leading a satisfying life. These concepts form part of his comprehensive framework that classifies individuals into four categories: Developers, Drivers, Drifters, and Dreamers. This article aims to outline the main insights from this chapter and offer practical guidance on how to cultivate a Developer's mindset intentionally.


The Three Components of work: Mapping, Making, and Meshing

Any work can be thought of as a set of activities in a sequence of Mapping (Planning), Making (execution) and Meshing (Learning from work). Let's look at all three steps.


  1. Mapping is the strategic phase in which you define your objectives and develop a plan to accomplish them. It requires establishing priorities and aligning your actions with your overarching vision. This step is crucial; without thorough consideration, the repercussions of withdrawal or recovery can be challenging and costly. In the renowned book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," Stephen Covey refers to the concept of "Sharpening the Saw."


  2. Making refers to the execution phase, where plans are put into action. This stage involves carrying out the work and producing concrete results. During this phase, it's crucial to execute plans with determination. Although the uncertainty of future outcomes can be anxiety-inducing, it's important to concentrate on the task at hand. Trust in the process and remain conscious of your actions. If the results differ from the Mapping phase, consider it a learning opportunity.


  3. Meshing: This is the developmental phase where you enhance your skills, learn new things, and integrate different aspects of your work. It involves continuous learning and adapting to new challenges. This step actually runs concurrently with the previous stage of Making (execution). While in the mode of execution, one needs to be self-aware about the learnings on the way. These provide important life lessons for the future.

 

Understanding the Four Types of People


The ideal method of work is the way to use all three steps in proper sequence. However, the world is not an ideal place and hence we have different types of personalities, who use the three steps differently.


Developers: These individuals excel by integrating Mapping, Making, and Meshing. They set clear goals, execute their plans, and continuously develop their skills.

Mapping + Making + Meshing = Developers

This is the most ideal type of personality. And it is possible to develop this mindset consciously. If one is aware of the deficiencies one has, it is possible to consciously put efforts to improve the overall process.


Drivers: They focus on Mapping and Making but neglect Meshing. They are goal-oriented and productive but may lack growth and adaptability.

Mapping + Making – Meshing = Drivers

While these individuals excel at planning and executing tasks, they struggle to learn during the process, which can lead to a vulnerability in adapting to changes like work in the future. Throughout human history, the ability to learn and adapt has been crucial for survival, allowing mankind to continuously evolve and thrive over millions of years. Our evolutionary makeup has equipped us with strong capabilities in learning and adaptability. However, the stark inequality among the global population can be attributed to a significant portion of individuals neglecting these essential aspects, causing them to veer off course in their life journey, while others advance steadily by embracing new knowledge and adaptability.


Drifters: They engage in Making and Meshing but lack Mapping. They are busy and skilled but often lack direction and purpose.

Making + Meshing – Mapping = Drifters

Many individuals excel in their work and are dedicated to continuous learning and adaptation, yet they may lack a genuine sense of purpose and direction in both their professional and personal lives. Consequently, they find themselves moving aimlessly from one endeavour to another without establishing a clear sense of direction. These individuals could greatly benefit from pausing to reflect on their past engagements and consider how they envision shaping their future. The human brain possesses a quality known as plasticity, indicating that by concentrating on a specific goal with heightened awareness and determination, it is feasible to enhance and develop relevant skills.


Dreamers: They are involved in Mapping and Meshing but avoid Making. They have great ideas and skills but struggle with execution.

Mapping + Meshing – Making = Dreamers

These individuals are passionate about creating detailed plans and expanding their knowledge, yet they are hesitant to confront failures, which leads to a lack of motivation to initiate tasks or work due to a constant fear of failure lingering in their thoughts. One approach to tackling this issue is to acknowledge that success and failure are inherent in life, meaning that perfection is unattainable. It is important to strive for improvement rather than perfection, as the pursuit of perfection can impede progress. Progress is a gradual process that requires taking one step at a time, as significant advancements may not be visible daily.

 

Key Learnings from the Chapter


Integration of All Three Components: To achieve excellence, it is crucial to integrate Mapping, Making, and Meshing. Neglecting any one of these components can lead to stagnation and mediocrity.

Self-Awareness: Understanding which type, you currently are (Developer, Driver, Drifter, or Dreamer) can help you identify areas for improvement. Self-awareness is the first step towards growth.

Continuous Improvement: Embrace a mindset of continuous improvement. Always look for ways to enhance your skills, refine your goals, and execute your plans more effectively.

Avoiding Mediocrity: Mediocrity is the enemy of excellence. Strive to push beyond your comfort zone and avoid settling for average results.


Conclusion

To develop a developer's mindset, incorporate Mapping, Making, and Meshing into a daily routine. Set clear objectives, implement plans, improve skills, foster self-awareness, and embrace challenges for excellence and satisfaction. The journey is continuous, requiring dedication and perseverance. Start today, and commit to delivering your best work daily. Set precise goals, define vision, break it down, prioritize, and execute. Develop skills through education, feedback, and collaboration. Nurture self-awareness by reflecting and recognizing patterns. Embrace challenges by venturing out of your comfort zone, taking risks, and remaining resilient.


Hope this article helps you in your personal and professional life. Share your thoughts.

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