Tomorrow Never Comes
How many times have all of us said “I’ll do it tomorrow?” The problem is that it is always today. Today is all we have. Folks ask me all the time how I manage so many projects all at once without getting overwhelmed. I compartmentalize my tasks and am very well organized. Each of us has the same 24 hours every day. How you choose to use your time will determine your results.
The principles I describe in the following passages are applicable to wood turning and life in general and are meant to encourage you every day. If you are one of those many individuals who want to get more done, these ideas may be part of your answer.
One key is looking ahead into the foreseeable future. I mean one week, one month, one year. I am able to see that pretty clearly. Ten years is out of my reach although I do plan in general. As you may have guessed, I take much of my direction from teachings found in the Books of Wisdom in the Old Testament of the Bible, specifically Proverbs. Written mostly by the son of King David, King Solomon is purported to have been the wisest man who ever lived. For the past 20+ years, I have read at least one chapter every day in my quest to become wiser. I’m one of those guys who have more courage than wisdom. Better decision making is my quest.
Here is one small trick I use to get things done without falling into the “Tomorrow Trap.” All I do is change the language a little bit. Instead of saying “I’ll do it tomorrow” I say “I’ll do it Wednesday morning Feb. 28th before noon.” I know that seems silly, but it works for me. By setting a specific time and date for a task I manage to get vastly more things done than I did before.
I apply this to my daily “To-Do-List” as well. I write my tasks for the day down in list form then prioritize them. Must do, need to do, would like to do. 1, 2, 3 … etc. in order of importance. With everything on my plate I can’t just wing it and not fall into chaos. This time of year we are traveling to Woodworking shows at least four days each week and sometimes 5 days if we drive instead of fly. That means we don’t get a day off from January through March. OK, my choice. Sweet Janice and I still need time to rest, relax and time to strengthen our marriage to each other.
Between the show schedules, the product production schedule, publishing this newsletter every week, running a robust internet business and developing even more new products to meet the ongoing demands of my loyal customers, time has become a very precious commodity. I appreciate each new day and welcome its challenges and victories. Remember that wherever you go, there you are.
Here is my inspiration for this week’s, message from the book of Proverbs.
Prov 6:9-11 NIV How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest — and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.
Prov 21:5 NIV The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
Prov 21:25 NIV The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.
Prov 23:4 NIV Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.
Prov 23:12 NIV Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.
Next show New Jersey Meadowlands Exposition Center March 2-4, 2018
Show Schedule Here
Reminder:
During the show season we travel each week from January through March. I can check my email morning and evening and answer your questions in a timely manner. The phone is a different story. Please use email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the best results.
MadeBy Medallions
Order a full sheet at regular price and get a half sheet free with your order.
This offer has been extremely popular so I'll offer it for one more week. Valid through March 5th, 2018.
New Item!
Platform Setting Blocks - 16 Angles
Four Piece Set from 5 Degrees to 80 Degrees
Great for hand planes, carvers gouges, bench chisels
Finally a solution for carvers, hand plane owners and folks who need to set their grinding platform to exact angles.
This set of 4 Platform Setting Blocks is calibrated for 8" grinding systems. It gives you the ability to set 16 different angles, in 5-degree increments. Most of my customers turn wood and there are specific angles which work best on certain tools. But I also have carvers and flat workers who regularly let me know that they need to set their grinding platforms to different angles.
The solution is a set of Platform Setting Gauges which cover different angles off vertical or horizontal. I began with 5 degrees off vertical (or 85 degrees off horizontal) and step up in 5-degree increments, i.e. 5, 10, 15, 20, etc. ending at 80. That gives you 16 different angles.
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VariGrind 2
Universal Setting Jig Does Work!
John Atkins sent me this photo which answers a question I get regularly. Will the Universal Setting Jig work with the OneWay Varigrind 2. Yes it will by placing the foot of the Universal at the location indicated in the photo. Now we know! Thanks John.
Announcing the Sweepstakes Winners for The first 7 shows of 2018
Dana Schack - $250
Consuelo Stacheli - $100
Robert LeBrand - $50
Scott Emory - $250
Nancy Kerns - $100
Richard Mudd - $50
These folks were selected at random from entries submitted at one of the first 7 woodworking shows of 2018. They have won gift certificates in the amounts specified valid towards any merchandise offered at www.ronbrownsbest.com. Each certificate is valid through 05/01/2018. If your name is listed please contact us to redeem your gift when you have made your choice(s) of merchandise. Congratulations!
Free USA shipping for all domestic orders over $50. For orders less than $50 a flat rate of $7.99. I simply cannot afford to continue shipping the smaller orders for free.
Just so you know, here is a partial list of the items we make right in our own shop in Atlanta, Georgia, USA:
Amazing Doughnut Chucks, Amazing Bucket Caddy, Universal Setting Jig, Quad Setting Jig, Golden Mean Calipers, Indexing Wheels, Laser Cut Kits and Inlays, Gluing Guides for Laser Cut Kits, Made By Medallions for your work, Gouge SetUp Blocks, Angle Gauge SetUp Blocks, How-To DVD's 100% produced and published in-house
Special prices for Club Buys
If your club is interested in putting a Group Buy together, CBN Wheels for example 10 or more, Laser Cut Kits 50 or more, Turners Laser Guides 10 or more, Amazing Doughnut Chucks or Longworth Chucks, I can provide very special pricing. Drop me a note at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Made By Medallions Identify your work
This year, mark your treasures with a professionally created wooden "Made By Medallion" available in 1" and 1-1/4" disks with your name and information. Cut from 1/8" Baltic Birch, you simply drill a shallow recess with a Forstner bit and glue it permanently in place. Those who receive your treasure know exactly who made it and if you wish, how to contact you.
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Including Bottle Stopper Designs - 50 Plus classic designs. Free PDF.
Amazing Doughnut Chuck™ Instructions
ProGrind Instructions
We have bundled several of the most popular documents into one down-loadable zip file for your convenience. Still no charge.
