The Architect, the Gardener, and the House Sitter
George R.R. Martin says there are two types of writers: architects and gardeners. There is a useful analogy here for how we approach our careers — plus a third type I'd add to the list.
🏛️📐 The Architect & the Gardener ✂️🌳
George R.R. Martin, author of A Game of Thrones, said there are two types of writers: architects and gardeners.
Architects plan every detail ahead of time, like an architect building a house. “They have the whole thing designed and blueprinted out before they even nail the first board up.”
Gardeners have a general idea of where they’re going, but a lot is going to happen organically. “As the plant comes up and they water it, they don’t know how many branches it’s going to have — they find out as it grows.”
I’d like to apply this analogy to how we treat our careers.
The career architect
The architect meticulously plans their career path. They envision a concrete outcome — “promotion in 1 year” or “VP by 40” — and work relentlessly to realize it.
The career gardener
Gardeners take a more organic approach. They plant seeds of opportunity and nurture them. They follow their curiosity and are open to new and unexpected directions.
They’ll change roles to tackle a new company priority they’re passionate about. They’ll learn a technology because it’s fascinating. They’ll volunteer for a project because they like and want to learn from the people involved.
A third type — the house sitter
I’ll add a third type: the house sitter. House sitters keep an eye on things; they’re not owners, and they’re not agents of change either.
Career house sitters don’t focus on growth and development. They maintain the status quo, and will only take an active role in times of crisis — like finding a new job after a company downsizes.
Each of us has a default — and it’s not permanent
Each of us has a default type — architect, gardener, or house sitter — one we gravitate to more than the others. But I don’t think these types are ingrained and permanent. They’re just modes of behavior that we adopt at various times.
If you default to architect, you’re driven and results-oriented. But beware of burnout. Achieving your goal does not always bring the happiness you envision — in which case you’ve learned but haven’t failed. It’s OK to redraw your blueprints and set out anew. Consider taking some pressure off yourself and pursuing an interest without a firm goal in mind.
Gardeners, you’re satisfying your curiosity and growing in multiple dimensions. That’s a great place to be. But check in occasionally. Are you cultivating the right skills for where you want to be in 5-10 years? Consider setting some loose long-term goals.
House sitters, you’re not actively growing or pursuing goals. Perhaps it’s by design — your career is just taking a back seat right now. But if you’ve been in this state very long, it might be time to think about what you want to change. Start with the question, “How can I make X happen?” and you’ll be surprised at the ideas you generate.
A thought exercise
What’s your default type — and when have you shifted between them?
