He’s Not That Good. I Could Do That.
How many times have you watched someone demonstrate a turning method, or sat through a class and thought “I could do that. He’s not that good.” I have been there many times in my life including this past week. So what’s the difference? It is pretty simple; they are doing it and you are not.
Opportunity knocked and they opened the door and said Yes, come on in. They might not be the best or most highly skilled but they are the one in front of the group because they decided to be there and you decided to be in the audience. However, most of the time if something looks very easy it is because the demonstrator really is that good. He makes it look simple and almost effortless. How hard could it be?
I learned from my years on the Woodworking Show Circuit that each and every professional demonstrator had years of experience and had practiced their demonstrations many thousands of times. They knew the best material to demonstrate with, the best position for the tools and the best technique to WOW the audience. If something looks so simple that a third grader could do it, you can be sure that it won’t be that simple when you try to do the same thing. But, they learned to do it, so can you.
Watching someone who doesn’t seem that much better than we are teaches us that we too can get up in front of a crowd and do well if we will just open the door when opportunity comes knocking and say “yes”. The first time through might not go smoothly so we practice ahead of time. When I record a new video, you can be sure I’ve rehearsed and probably scripted what I want to say beforehand. I have the relative items on hand when the camera rolls and if I stumble over my words, I simply do it again. The editing room will eliminate my mistakes and clean up my speech. Captions will correct my misstatements and fill in the missing information.
So what is the difference between someone in front of the crowd and everyone else? They decided to be up there. They committed to practice and prepare beforehand. They said yes. It really is that simple. They don’t have to be the best, they just have to be willing. I would like to encourage you to begin to say yes to club demonstrations, say yes to help a new turner learn to sharpen their tools, say yes teaching a Sunday School lesson. Decide to be the one in front of the audience once in a while because wherever you go, there you are.
Here is my inspiration for this week’s message:
Exodus 3:11 MSG Moses answered God, "But why me? What makes you think that I could ever go to Pharaoh and lead the children of Israel out of Egypt?"
Isaiah 46:4 NIV Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
1 Corinthians 10:15 NIV I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.
Announcing
I have launched a new video information service via YouTube. I take common wood turning questions and answer them in 5 minutes or less. I have posted the first two; Proper tool rest height and Proper lathe speeds on my YouTube channel. I plan to post at least one new video each week.
If you have a particular question and would like to submit it for possible inclusion, drop me a note at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Lathe Speed: https://youtu.be/KjPR7Zgr9Y0
Tool Rest Height: https://youtu.be/6XFAc9QWRAg
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