Excellence Through Baby Steps

The time changed again, another season ended, most of the snow has melted and another birthday is just around the corner. Now what? I was on my way to the beginning of the third semester of evening classes when the lyrics of a popular Christian song on the radio popped out at me. Matt Maher’s “Hold Us Together” has a line we’ve all heard a thousand times, “This is the first day of the rest of your life.” Thank you Captain Obvious.

So, Now What? As a wood turner are you going to make another bowl just like all of the other bowls? Or, can this summer season be different? At least a little bit different. When the rudder on a boat is turned slightly the boat will change directions given a little bit of time. When the rudder is turned harshly, 90 degrees, it acts as a brake and might actually break off if the speed is too great. One of the greatest powers in the universe is incrementalism. Small changes over time add up to make a huge difference. This is true for wood turners as well.

You can progress from a mediocre turner to an excellent turner in baby steps faster than you realize. Pick two things to get really good at and work on those two things over the next three months. Don’t tackle the whole world all at once. Example One: learn to shear scrape with a heavy bowl scraper so you can begin sanding your bowls, plates and platters with 180 grit rather than 60 grit. Shear scraping can eliminate torn grain which will make a huge difference in your bowl turning. Example Two: learn to roll beads, small and large, with a skew chisel. You will be amazed at how easy it is to get a fair curve with a skew compared to a spindle gouge. It is faster, better and easier once you get the hang of it. I use a skew often when turning acorn boxes and Christmas ornament globes. It is my “go–to” method for finalizing the exterior shape for vases and urns. Shaping a curve with a skew is amazing to watch and saves a ton of time.

You can master more techniques in the fall. By the time a whole year has gone by, you will have mastered eight different skills by focusing on just two at a time. Today is the first day of the rest of our lives. What are we going to do today which will help us be different – better tomorrow? Remember that wherever you go, there you are.

Here is my inspiration for this message.

Jas 3:4 NIV: Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.

Ecc 10:10 NIV: If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.