Skill Progression - A Woodworking Noobs Rambling

I woke up this morning, snagged a cup of coffee, and went out to the shop. By the time the cob webs started clearing up I realized it was 5:10 in the morning and I was sitting in my stool staring at my latest project. I couldn’t help but chuckle thinking about my bride asking me constantly if my mind ever quits thinking about woodwork….. Maybe it doesn’t…. I will take that badge with honer…lol

Well I started looking at the top of my little box I am making my bride and do as I always do… Look for mistakes. I found a few minor ones, but all in all I was delighted on how the miters came out. I can honestly say they are by far the best miters I have cut and assembled to date. I got to thinking about past projects as well. My first practice box, my first real keepsake box made for my brides Grandfather. my countless attempts at wooden hinges before I found a way that worked for me, etc…. Looking back, those projects fail in comparison to most the work found here on LJ. I will say I am still very proud of them thought, simply because “They where the best I could do at that time”

I find myself using woodwork as an example to teach my daughters that things never happen over night. Weather it is math, spelling (which I still need tons of practice…lol), soccer, different work skills, or even woodwork a person must practice. That is the only true way to master (or get better) at anything….... keep trying and keep learning. The way I see it…. I am teaching my children by example. Maybe I am looking at it all weird, but I like the thought.

I never really made a blog before just spilling nonsense on here just for folks to read, but I was thinking about other noobs like myself who question their own capabilities. I still think there are tons of things that are out of my skill level. I will also note that I do not believe that there is anything out of my reach.

So to all my fellow noobs out there….. There is hope…. You can build and create anything you want. It does take time and a ton of practice. Be proud of what you make now and know there is no such thing as “Perfect” (I am still having a hard time with that one…lol). As my Dad always told me…. “Do the best you can do at everything you do and you will have no regrets”.... He was a very wise man.

Well, off to work and day dream of being back home in my shop. Thanks for reading my senseless rambling…

-- Dan ~ Texarkana, Tx.