Just Do It!

I love working with wood and building furniture a lot.  I spend  a lot of my money on wood working tools and classes.  But, other then taking the time for classes, I hardly ever make time to do any real woodworking.  I think part of the problem is that I pick overly complicated projects that take a while to plan.  As soon as I hit a road block or have to figure something out, I get sidetracked onto something else.

Recently I had some friends using my shop to do a project of their own.  In the evenings I would go out and talk with them as they were working on their project.  After a few nights of this, it occurred to me that if I could come sit with them at night as they did their project, there is no reason why I couldn’t get out and do my own.  But what?  I started the cycle again, thinking up big projects to do.  I started thinking of the research I would need to do, the tools I would need to buy, and how I would get just the right wood for the project.  Then reality set in and I new I would never start the project, I would just plan and dream.

The next day I was reading a blog where the auther talked about a cooking challenge where he would attempt to cook one new dish each week.  The idea was to just do something new.  It did not have to be earth shaking, just new to him.  I thought this is what I need to do with my woodworking.   I need a challenge that will get me to just get out and do it.  Do woodworking.  Not museum quality large furniture pieces, just build something.

So I came up with the idea of the 12 in 12 challenge.  The idea will be to do 12 projects in 12 months.  One project a month.  The projects must be doable in a month from planning to the final finish.  There will be no other real rules, just get out and do it.  I will need some form of accountability, which is where you come in.  In the next post, I will describe my plan and how I hope to be held accountable.