Setting The Tone
As we finished up our last Woodworking Show of the season for 2018 in Chantilly, Virginia last week, I thought about the public tone of the folks here in DC in general. Given the fact that we were only 17 miles from our nation’s capital, one has to understand the nature of most of the residents and the various mindsets of the region. I am by nature an optimist so my glass is always at least half full (usually more) I always expect that the sun will begin to shine at any minute on a rainy day and I fully expect to actually win the lottery when I lay my $4 down at the convenience store! What comes out of my mouth has a lot to do with how I feel about my expectations. Consider two different ways to introduce someone to the joys of learning to use a skew chisel for example:
Not so good
'Most folks hate the skew because it is unforgiving and everyone gets terrible catches all the time. I stay away from it myself."
Much better
"The skew chisel is one of the most versatile lathe tools and when you master it, you will love it. I do and it is one of my favorite tools. You need to be diligent about rubbing the bevel with this tool for sure, but the cut you get with a sharp skew chisel is second to none!"
The first example introduces fear and sets expectations of difficulty. The second example describes a tool with positive reinforcement and sets an expectation of very smooth cuts when used properly.
Here is another example:
Not so good
"Everyone hates grinding their lathe tools. You never get the angles just right and it takes forever. The jigs are pretty good but they are really hard to set up correctly."
Much better
"With a little practice you will be able to sharpen any of your lathe tools in seconds. I can sharpen a bowl gouge in less than 45 seconds! Sometimes I don’t even turn the lathe off. I can show you how you can do it quickly, accurately and repeatably in seconds. You will come to love sharpening your tools and turning with sharp tools is much safer and a lot more fun!"
Just because you are not fond of something or you have difficulty with a particular task or procedure, don’t project your prejudices on someone else and set them up for negative expectations before they even begin. Many things become self-fulfilling prophecies depending on what you say even if (especially when) you are talking to yourself. If you expect to have a bad day, you probably will. If you expect to fail you certainly might. If you expect to succeed you have a much greater chance for victory. Yes, I have taught myself to cheer myself up when necessary and to be my own personal cheering section. Look around, it works! As a young salesman going door to door, I repeated this mantra often “If I get myself up and go to work, I might sell something. Then I’ll get a paycheck and be able to feed my family! Here I go! It is going to be a great successful day!” Remember that wherever you go, there you are.
Here is my inspiration for this message:
Matt 18:18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Mark 11:24 KJV Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Philippians 4:8 KJV Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Ron's YouTube Channel - Coolhammerman
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