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Thread: Anyone else suffer from 'woodworker's block'?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Edmonton, Alberta
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    350

    Anyone else suffer from 'woodworker's block'?

    Much like writer's block, I run into points during my builds where I can't focus/don't want to perform the next steps in the project. Usually when I reach an important stage in a project, for example when I'm I'm done with cutting the tails and about to cut the pins for a carcase or similar important stages.

    I don't do this for money, only for satisfaction, and hold anything I build to very high standards. But sometimes I think maybe I put too much pressure on myself to make things perfectly and end up stressing myself out to the point where my projects sit stalled for weeks until I find motivation again. The actual steps don't take too long, and I'm reasonable proficient at sawing/chopping mortises etc at this point.

    Anyone else deal with similar issues?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
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    Longview WA
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    Anyone else deal with similar issues?
    All the time, it is akin to procrastination.

    jtk
    "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
    - Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

  3. #3
    I get it too Hasin. Sometimes it happens during a long project - I just get tired of it and want a break, so I set it aside for a week or two. Sometimes it happens before a necessary step that I don't enjoy doing; e.g., finishing. Sometimes it happens when Im frustrated with a small mistake and Im trying to figure out how to correct it. (Chances are, only I will notice the mistake. But still.....)

    It happened last weekend. Made a small mistake while dyeing the infamous butcher block project. Just couldn't make myself work on it. So I cleaned the shop instead.

    You're not alone on this.

    Fred

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
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    Virginia
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    1,209
    Well, I moved recently, so my block is the need to put up shelves, cabinets, and organize the shop. One of those things that is hard to do a little at a time, I really need a big chunk of time (which I just don't have right now). Maybe over the holidays.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Delaplane, VA
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    117
    I'm working on a Roubo bench, my first "major" WW project. It's going slow mostly because I don't have a lot of time to work on it, but also because a few times I've gotten "stuck". And I'm a bit of a perfectionist I guess.

    At the stage of mounting the BenchCrafted end vice I procrastinated for a couple of months. I think it was the prospect of chopping a huge hole in the beautiful bench top (and possibly screwing it up) that froze me. In the end I got through being stuck by attacking it in stages. First, read through the instructions a bunch and calculate to make sure the vice position wouldn't interfere with the legs (my Roubo is only 6' long). Done. Second, lay out the cavity, which has several parts of different depths. OK, that wasn't so bad. Then double check it!

    Then wait a month :-)

    Then spend time figuring out the best and most accurate way to cut the darn thing (combination of circular saw, router, drill and chop with chisel).

    And so on. One tiny bite at a time, over many evenings.

    By focusing on one little step at a time I am able to overcome my hesitation and make progress. I'm sure it will get better as I become more confident.

    -Dan
    -Dan D.

    Ray's rule for precision:

    Measure with a micrometer, mark with chalk, cut with an axe.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    2,151
    It happens for me every time I finish a project. I always have a few ideas in the works but nothing firmed up. Sometimes I have a minor project to work on or tool maintenance to do. At this time I'm stuck. Can't come to a decision. I've found myself bugging everyone at SMC with more posts than I made all last year. I'll have to make a decision soon or risk alienating the whole lot of you.
    Jim

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Ramona, CA by way of Phliadelphia
    Posts
    270
    To everyone, you are not alone.

    Being retired it's easy to blow off the unfun parts until the motivation returns. Right now I view everything I make as an exercise since there no customers, no deadlines and no paycheck. So I do what I want on any given day, as to the pressure I to strive for excellence and sometime achieve it but I know in my hart that we, collectively all of us here, are better than most and maybe not as good as some! Just because we get out there and DO IT!
    Rick
    Last edited by Rick Malakoff; 09-20-2017 at 8:38 AM.

  8. #8
    I have that issue. I find being around other wood workers is the best way to regain motivation.

  9. #9
    Hasin

    It seems to be part of the human condition. I think that you have diagnosed the cause correctly. The more self-esteem you invest in the result, the more intimidating the possibility of failure becomes. Craftsmanship is grown-up play. You'll feel better if you treat it that way.

    Slip slidin' away
    Slip slidin' away
    You know the nearer your destination
    The more you're slip slidin' away…

    Full lyrics on Google Play Music
    Artist: Paul Simon


    Album: Still Crazy After All These Years


    Released: 1975



    Doug

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
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    Bedford, NH
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    Geez, I'm not alone after all.

    I also work on projects for personal reasons and not for income. At times I find myself addicted to working on the project well into the night, on top of a long day. Unfortunately I frequently find myself on auto-pilot, that is until I find that I've jumped ahead and then have to retrace my steps or correct. Also, I find that I misplace things and waste time trying to figure out where I last had the item.

    However, I set my standards high so when I've completed the project to my satisfaction all the "mental interruptions" subside and I get the glow from a well made item. For a short while I look forward to some time off from the shop. For some reason that doesn't last too long. Then I'm into to the next project. Oh well, my wife just laid a new project on me, time to get back to work.
    Thoughts entering one's mind need not exit one's mouth!
    As I age my memory fades .... and that's a load off my mind!

    "We Live In The Land Of The Free, Only Because Of The Brave"
    “The problems we face today are there because the people who work for a living are outnumbered by those who vote for a living."
    "
    Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." Winston Churchill

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    So Cal
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    3,737
    I have the same thing happen to me.Sometimes it's hard to keep good energy.
    I try to keep something interesting or curious about the build. If I'm making a table and the boards I picked out for the top aren't beautiful or I don't think they are then there's no point in making a table.
    Aj

  12. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by Frederick Skelly View Post
    I get it too Hasin.

    You're not alone on this.

    Fred
    Yep - I have those days. I just wander into the shop and don't want to do "it" - whatever "it" is. I usually overcome he block by knocking out a small/simple/fast project. It boost my confidence in my skills

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Putney, Vermont
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    I too have this problem, but I use it in a positive way. I dwell on things. I let my inner self think about the things I am working on, or a project I am going to start in the future. I sleep on it and let my sub- conscience take over, and in the end my problems, , projects, or repairs, come out for the better.

  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by Doug Hepler View Post
    Hasin

    The more self-esteem you invest in the result, the more intimidating the possibility of failure becomes.


    Doug
    I think you might be on to something here. There seems to be some psychology involved. I can tend to spend too much time thinking and over thinking things. I once took some classes with Frank Klausz and one of the things he told us is time is precious, even if you're retired. Stop over thinking, and just jump out of the plane, start cutting, remember almost all mistakes in woodworking are repairable. He was really into moving briskly, getting things done. He felt if you made mistakes, you'd learn how to fix them, and the practice you get by being busy will naturally make you a better woodworker.

    This said, have you ever gone out for the evening and had every little thing going wrong? When that happens to me, I just go home and call it a night. Woodworking can be the same way, where some days, everything seems to be going wrong, and the more I try to push though, the more mishaps occur. So now when that seems to be happening, I spend some time cleaning up or call it a day and start again tomorrow. Something metaphysical seems to be involved. I think it happens to athletes too, everyone maybe.

    On the other hand, there are those days where you're on your game and everything is going just great. That's a good day woodworking.
    Last edited by Edwin Santos; 09-20-2017 at 1:43 PM.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Issaquah, Washington
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    1,320
    I too experience this on almost every project. It is akin to "Fear of Failure". We have worked so hard to create something really nice and now are confronted with the prospect of screwing it up so we procrastinate.

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