Two Ways To Say The Same Thing
Think before you speak – Words do hurt – Say what you mean & mean what you say – Bring encouragement with your conversation – Speak light not darkness.
As wood turners, we live in a very subjective, creative, artistic environment every day. Good can be in the eye of the beholder and not everyone will be able to see the beauty of a particular piece immediately. What you choose to say about something can either encourage someone to try again or perhaps discourage them to the point of giving up. I choose to find the positive in every conversation regardless. I have decided in advance that I will build everyone up no matter where they are in their particular journey toward becoming the best they can be. Age doesn’t matter to me.
One of the ways we can do this is to remember what it was like when we first started. With regard to turning in public in front of other experienced wood turners, my first time was terrifying! I felt dizzy and light headed, I was sweating profusely, my throat was dry and I had cotton mouth. My hands were trembling and my voice cracked with every other word. To make matters worse, three of the most famous turners in the business were standing at the back of the room watching and I knew they were there. To a man, when it was all over and I was still alive, each one told me how much they enjoyed my presentation and that I should keep it up. The incredible amount of encouragement those simple comments gave me compelled me to move forward and not quit although I do remember throwing up a little bit when it was all over.
Nick Cook will never know just how much he encouraged me in the early days. He had taken the time to show me some methods I was struggling with previously. Dale Nish (founder of Craft Supply, Provo Ut) and Nick put on a turning demonstration in Atlanta together and afterwards I showed Nick a Christmas Ornament I had turned. Nick called Dale over to see it, much to my horror. Dale surprisingly asked if he could purchase my ornament and we agreed to a trade for some of his merchandise. The force of that simple vote of confidence propelled me forward like a rocket. These two great men choose to build me up, to encourage me, to move me along a little further on my journey rather than criticize me or point out what I had done wrong. Criticism is easy and destructive. Encouraging comments honestly given require a little more effort, but the rewards can be life altering. I know, I’m living proof. Remember that wherever you go, there you are.
