Woodworking and life are a lot alike.

I recently took an interest in woodworking, so I thought I’d share a few thoughts of how I’ve found that woodworking and life are similar.

Measure twice, cut once.

My Uncle Rick used to say and do this all the time when he, my dad and I were working on projects together. Before you make a decision, think about it. Before you make a big, huge cut remember you can always cut off a little bit more, but you can’t add it back once it’s cut. Think before you cut. Think before you speak. Think it through before you do something you might regret later. Years ago I learned the following: Before you make a decision, H.A.L.T. Then ask yourself, am I Hungry? Am I Angry? Am I Lonely? Am I Tired? If you are, then maybe it is best to wait until tomorrow to make the decision that you are about to make. And heaven forbid, definitely don’t make decisions when you’re hangry (hungry and angry). Not a good combination.

Continue reading “Woodworking and life are a lot alike.”

Simplify.

I recently finished Simplify: Ten Practices To Unclutter Your Soul by Bill Hybels. It’s a pretty easy read with lots of very practical information.
Each chapter ends with a section devoted to action steps. Hybels asks questions for you to consider and gives you steps of how you can apply the chapter in your own life. 

This book will be one that I refer back to a lot in the future — whether it is personally working through areas of growth that I identified or recommending it to friends and family.  

Continue reading “Simplify.”