The Art of Grit

(4 Minutes)

“It is not enough to know your craft—you have to have feeling.” Édouard Manet’s words hold a mirror to the tension between mastery and intuition. In any field, whether it be painting, writing, parenting, or leading a team, this balance defines the difference between competence and brilliance.

But what does it truly mean to “know” your craft? And how does one integrate “feeling” into the equation without losing their way?

I’ve often thought about the distinction between the efficient and the artist. The efficient knows their craft well. They have honed their skills through repetition and experience, learning to solve problems by relying on logic and past knowledge. But this efficiency, while impressive, can fall short. Why? Because logic is a map of the past, not necessarily the key to the future. It is a tool for replication, not reinvention.

On the other hand, the artist feels their work. They are guided by intuition and emotion, pouring their soul into the process. But feeling alone, detached from structure and history, can be like a sail without a mast—beautiful but aimless.

The greats, I believe, are those who unite the two. They know their craft deeply, yet they allow themselves to feel their way into the unknown. They walk forward with the past considered, neither constrained by it nor ignorant of it.

Think of a musician who knows every chord, every key, every note. If they rely only on their technical skill, their music might be perfect but lifeless. If they rely only on raw emotion, their music might stir the heart but lack coherence. The great musician blends both, creating something timeless.

Or consider the architect who designs with both precision and passion. They master the science of load-bearing walls and sustainable materials, yet their buildings also evoke feeling—whether it’s awe, comfort, or wonder. Their work stands at the crossroads of intellect and soul.

This mastery of balance isn’t accidental; it is intentional. Greatness often requires an unrelenting curiosity—a willingness to learn and refine knowledge alongside a deep courage to feel and innovate. To walk this path is to understand that neither knowing nor feeling can stand alone. Logic informs emotion, and emotion breathes life into logic. Together, they create something that feels inevitable, as though it could not have been made any other way.

The greats also take risks. They embrace the uncertainty of creation, knowing that blending knowledge with feeling doesn’t always guarantee success. Yet, it is in this very risk that greatness is born. They trust their intuition enough to explore uncharted territory and their knowledge enough to keep them grounded as they do so.

I often wonder: What makes some of us stop short of pursuing this balance? Fear of failure? The lure of comfort in sticking to what we know? Or perhaps the vulnerability of feeling too deeply?

In my own life, I’ve noticed that the moments when I’ve achieved something truly meaningful were those when I allowed both logic and emotion to lead. It’s not always easy; it requires humility to acknowledge what I don’t know and bravery to trust what I feel.

How about you?

Do you find yourself leaning more toward logic or intuition in your work, relationships, or creative pursuits? How do you strive for balance, or do you?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. What practices help you bridge the gap between what you know and what you feel? Share your reflections below—I look forward to continuing the conversation.