Ask Adam Savage: Bailing on Boring Projects

In this live stream excerpt, Tested members XoSwMeOeKdEoX, Mike R and James Dutrow ask about
how to not bail when projects get boring, One Day Builds that have not seen the light of day and the current record for the longest "One Day" build. Thank you for your questions, XoSw, Mike and James!
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Thanks for watching!

[@tested]

Thank you for your questions, XoSw, Mike and James! Join this channel to support Tested and get access to perks, like asking Adam questions!: kzbin.info/door/iDJtJKMICpb9B1qf7qjEOAjoin Patron/Premium exclusives: kzbin.info/aero/PLJtitKU0CAejWnuP9ibLV_1YgiYJc-SF3

[@techscull4091]

Would like to see more kitbash vids and maybe colabs with other model makers like Studson Studio. Like always love Adam his insights and stories about the industry.

[@danquaylesitsspeltpotatoe8307]

93-98 workihg for jamie 18 months then quit 98- ILM 2002 Mythbusters...

[@jonhough7447]

No

[@carielswick8892]

Hey Adam, hi where is your favorite place to shop for supplies? I find it kind of hard for me to imagine you pushing a shopping cart through a store looking for supplies. So I was just wondering where do you shop to get your building materials if you don't already have them on hand in your cave. Or do you do most of it on line? Ok that's it have a good day.

[@kjpierson1152]

I've fought the imposter complex my entire career in Computer Science. I fought it in undergrad and grad school. While almost EVERYTHING came like it was second nature in the program, with the exception of one solitary class in the field, I still never felt like I belonged. I faked it greatly. People never suspected it, except for my mentor probably. The side effect at the time was I went 100% in the opposite direction to hiding behind the cloak that others had put forth that I was a master at it. If I was questioned on anything, with an exception of a few people, I'd use it as a truncheon... When I ended up getting into the workforce, it came back full force. All these people with many more years experience, almost none with the same education, but all of which were, in most cases, very competent at their jobs. It took me two jobs over ten years to get out of feeling like I wasn't faking it all and hiding behind having a degree that people didn't.

[@sm5574]

One of my favorite songs is "The Grand Illusion" by Styx, because it's all about how we all try to make ourselves look competent in public, but inwardly we know we're incompetent in some ways, then we compare our incomptence to other people's public pretense, and so we feel even worse about ourselves.

[@rcjbvermilion]

One good piece of advice I heard years ago that I haven't forgotten: don't compare your back yard to everyone else's front yard.

[@watermelonhelmet6854]

This is so true with anything creative. I'm a miniature/model painter (hobbyist), I have a good few years experience and the advice I always give to beginners is that in every paint job, you'll get to a point with things will start to look a lot worse before they start to look better. I don't think I've ever painted anything without getting to a point somewhere in the middle I feel like scrapping what I've done and starting over.

[@Iamvalcristvalentine]

The ugly phase.... I know it well. I always have to remind myself to keep pushing through. Knights are the hardest for me... 1/2 finished coloured cloth looks terrible!

[@sarahcorrigan8059]

That comment about 25 years crashing together hit home for me, being interviewed for a teaching job to teach in the school that I left without any qualifications 20 years earlier was a trip! . . . I got the job!

[@HLR4th]

Tremendously valuable insights about projects/life all having those moments your just have to get through, not all of it is enjoyable, and it’s normal. Love the “postpartum” comment.

[@meeperator]

Your avatar is from Jedi Outcast, isn't it?

[@HLR4th]

@@meeperator Good eye! I enjoyed all those games, and thought the logo was inspired!

[@meeperator]

@@HLR4th I agree! My first forray into console commands was in the rebellion hangar in Jedi Outcast, spawning loads of various Jedi and Sith to have drawn out saber battles. It also had a decent modding scene at the time...

[@kennyH20]

This is my therapy. Thank you for sharing so much life experience with us.

[@theDPMSsniper]

It’s great to hear that others have that same moment in projects where they feel like they are lost. I have noticed that happens to me as well but I always seem to push through.

[@PotbellyTurtle]

It’s very edifying to hear you explain pushing through the tedium portion of a project to get to the gratification of completion. I really believed the post project days of cleaning up the shop before the next build start was just a strange tick I had. It’s almost a cathartic experience. Thank you for sharing.

[@thatcanadianturkey]

Two ways I deal with the boredom of a project. Identify what isn't working and can I refine my work process, maybe it's time to upgrade that commonly used tool to go faster or you have new knowledge to speed things up. The second is just to embrace the boredom as it is temporary and we sometimes wish that we could keep working on our projects long after they are finished.

[@teddyjones8027]

Great video, Thank you for sharing and please keep em coming. Everyone keep yourselves and love ones safe and healthy.

[@teddyjones8027]

Remember to SMILE 😃 😊

[@user443]

real gem here. saving this one! thanks Adam/Tested.

[@bigdave2952]

Having watched several of your videos I am now going back through all the episodes of myth busters in order. Thank you for the fun times and memories, my current form is throughly enjoying them.

[@danwelchable]

Adam, these are jewels you're dropping for us. My favorite Ask Adam. Thank you.

[@aerynmusick4548]

Norm’s idea for the dinosaur costumes was AMAZING. The finale of that video REALLY elevated it. I was positively cackling when I watched it.

[@silverscreenreviews8521]

I’ll be honest as a model maker who is looking to get back into the industry right now and lost in life with bad depression, this video is really really making me feel better right now mate!. Especially the opening question. Thank you tested and thanks Adam truly thank you

[@martintimmer8574]

Depression is such a lasting drag.hang in there,wish you strength , and good luck with going back into the business

[@silverscreenreviews8521]

@@martintimmer8574 peace bro 👍🏻

[@TravistheFool]

Thank you Adam, I needed this today. Pushing forward! Thank you!

[@greymouseher]

I get the time in every project where I am convinced the whole thing sucks and really want to scrap it all and either start over or give up. I have learned over the many years that this is just a cycle I will always go through and if I just keep going and working on the project, it comes out just fine in the end. It's now termed, by my self and my family, as a "Bout of 'Suck-itis'" and I know it will pass. This sounds really similar to Adam's experiences and makes me wonder if many creators get this same feeling.

[@joeseabert8391]

Around 2000 I met two guys, one worked at Warner bros as a carpenter. They owned the boat from The tv show Riptide. They brought it back from the scrapyard. It took them 2 years to do. It was impressive to watch them do all that without knowing if it would ever be finished.

[@DavidLindes]

3:01 - I learned a new word today! Shpilkes! And for anyone else new to this, here's what Wiktionary has to say: « *Etymology* Borrowed from Yiddish שפּילקעס‎ (shpilkes, “needles”), ultimately from a Slavic term such as Polish szpilka, which comes from Italian spilla, from Late Latin spīnula (“little thorn”). *Noun* *shpilkes* _pl (plural only)_ 1. A state of impatience, agitation, and/or anxiety. _This job interview tomorrow gives me shpilkes._ *Synonyms* (state of agitation): on pins and needles *See also* ants in one's pants»

[@Zveebo]

Oof, was that a reference to the mysteriously disappeared raptor suit build 😂

[@Mireaze]

What raptor suit, there was never a raptor suit, you must be crazy ;)

[@googiegress7459]

We have always been at peace with Raptorasia

[@JaydenLawson]

Trying to do something that's never been done before with drones and videography - this is just what I needed to keep pushing, because I almost feel like giving up!

[@Mxllaveli]

Good luck man!

[@Sodabowski]

Thanks heaps Adam. I'm right smack into the "IDKWID" part of a lifetime project, I feel much better about it now. Luv from France 🥰

[@daveayerstdavies]

In my working life I had many opportunities that I felt that I didn't deserve or that I got because people overestimated my capability. Even after decades of success and achievements I still felt that at some point I would be found out and exposed as a fraud. I think that 'impostor syndrome' afflicts all creative people. It's sometimes hard to believe that the things that come naturally to you are not so easy for the majority of folks. I often think to myself, "I'm not that smart, so surely if a fool like me can do it, pretty much anyone could".

[@redbeardmtb]

Adam, I really appreciate your candor about your struggles. The parts about imposter syndrome and not being cut out for management really hit home for me. When you had that realization, how did you figure out how to grow professionally with that in mind. It always seems like the only way to grow professionally is to move into management rolls, which I've done several times and always leads to a terrible experience. So for those of us in the same boat, any advice for how to grow professionally without sacrificing mental health?

[@iBECKENGINEERING]

Great experience Adam, you're my inspiration

[@herrhoghus2058]

You are a true inspiration! Thank you

[@shawnaroo]

In my career I've built furniture, designed buildings, built houses, and now I make video games. On every single significant project, in every one of those industries, there was at least one point where I hated the project. Even then ones where I'm plenty proud of the end result, and which I remember fondly overall. There were times in the process where I loathed working on it and wished I'd never started. It's a normal part of doing worthwhile things.

[@fanjan7527]

Thanks Adam, I enjoy these more philosophical chats.

[@BobQuigley]

Boring=most of life. Boring good... While bored brain figures out what to do next. Thanks for your honesty and directness...

[@bushmaori]

Fantastic advice, thank you.

[@wyattoneable]

Excellent points.

[@n2shooter]

This post just saved my life. Been on Scrum Master role the past month, and its killing me. Thanks for letting me know I'm not crazy. I was about to leave my career after 25 years and go work at Wal-Mart.

[@telagraf]

this work philosophy is so important in life. video should be required viewing for students of all ages

[@billybike57]

Always, always enjoy your show!

[@PENFOLD1962]

Your enthusiasm is second to none Adam, so entertaining to watch lol.

[@MichaelEilers]

I love the rawness of that first question response, Adam is on par with a Buddhist master without deliberately trying.

[@ashakydd1]

Also, when you are like 1/4 of the way through a project and then you realize that you need to either (A) go back and touch up something you've already done because it actually won't work or (B) where you are half way through making parts and you need to change your process which will also change how those parts come out so you have to replace or modify those parts that you've already made.

[@destinyangel5]

Bundaberg from QLD is one of the best Aussie drinks , keep up the great work Adam your channel is very inspiring and motivating ,lots of us miss your awesome passion with MB.

[@RjWolf3000]

On the “never see the light of day” There was that dinosaur series that vanished. Probably because of some lawyers. Including raptor suit build.

[@JackCliffordWilliams]

I suspect that was exactly what he was referring to.

[@yumemirai4419]

That sounds like good advice for anything.

[@shiraleeana]

Besides everything else, I always learn an extra word or two from these videos. shpilkes!

[@mikaeljacobsson1437]

A motivator for me is knowing that one has a profession that one does because you enjoy it and that can contain annoying or boring parts. But atleast you dont have a boring or annoying profession that you do because you have to.

[@Sigmagnat650]

Another aspect of pushing through the boring parts- if sequencing permits you to get to the boring/awful stuff first without completely exploding the project, do those first because then it's all uphill from there. This does create another hurdle in your brain trying to rush through the tedium to get to the good stuff, but if you can show some discipline the end result will always be better off for it.

[@josephhogland7755]

Nice to hear how you went through the building process and the problems you came across. I tried your Bundaberg ginger beer it has an odd taste not sure if I like it what is your take on it, why do you like it ?

[@questioner1596]

Speaking of cutting room floor - I often found that how Mythbusters was edited for TV to be repetitive when viewed without the commercials. Did you ever consider a DVD release with either a shorter epidsode or bonus content, and how long would each edited episode be?

[@googiegress7459]

"I'm looking for a gift for my aunt"

[@EsabelleRyngin]

I'd love to know what that funky tune is during the sorting-- I loved it!

[@meme-uo5yu]

you also learn from finishing all projects. i dont make things but i make music and everytime i dont like something i go and make something else, when really i should stick it out until its done as you can learn new things on the way

[@ronaldcrain8760]

I also feel like an imposter at some point during nearly all of my projects. This is a very helpful video. "The macrodynamics of.my own shpilkes" is now my new favorite phrase.

[@TimChuma]

Doing the work even if it is boring is important. I try to finish everything I start. A lot of the contract work I end up doing is because other people think it is "boring" an no one wants to do it such as moving content on government websites around.

[@Orionrobots]

I have frustrating videos that are yet to see the light of day - I finished the build (well kinda, a robot is never finished, just parked until there's enough inspiration/time between other projects to add the stuff you know you want to on it). I do not naturally take to filming, so I have footage with no audio (I learned to soundcheck from that), with poor/grainy footage. Or just not enough of any script that it waffles on and on for hours, and I just need to edit and cut it. I'll admit - I like the really short one takes, because I despise video editing. Anyway, thanks for sharing these things Adam - it helps to know I'm not the only one that experiences disillusion with my own builds.

[@grantlee4331]

The member's name is "SMOKE weed" lol

[@davidgormley4419]

This was one of the best explanations for how I feel and its helped me within seconds. Thank you. Sorry I mean the imposter syndrome part.

[@mikeadams2677]

I'm new into woodworking. Sometimes I'll get an idea about something I want to build, get part way through it, then lose interest either because I get distracted with another idea or because I've hit a point where things aren't working out for some reason or another. Sometimes I come back to it, start back from where I left off and it go smooth to completion or I just give up on it all together, and just do something else. Do you have this issue in your work?

[@WakeNBakeMusic]

4:45 - solid argument sir

[@morganmedrano920]

I must be crazy, because that's my favorite part of engineering. The part where you solve the problem.

[@JaydenLawson]

5:47 I love hearing a genuine laugh

[@colegamet9206]

Every project most definitely has boring parts, but that being said I do enjoy lots of problem solving!

[@JayTraversJT]

1:35 Noted. I shall begin post haste at pestering the place of work that interests me xD

[@appalachianunderground8474]

I tend to start a project… say, the Prancing Pony sign for my basement/man cave door … then I start on a model or trying to work on a old radio ect. Do you ever struggle with staying focused and completing a project before hopscotching to the next one on a impulsive idea, thank you ✝️🇺🇸👍🏻🅰️

[@peternault7040]

I've had boring jobs, but I consistently push myself through it. The problem has always been my ability to not get fired. My drive has always been an issue, it doesn't make me any friends, have you ever been fired in the past and if so, how did you turn it into a positive?

[@eviltoadstudios]

as is life, good advice

[@Mr6Sinner]

Can’t say from just the one question, but that users question is a classic ADHD problem. I am constantly picking up new projects or hobbies, only to drop them within 2 weeks for a new one.

[@Maxid1]

I noticed (through 30+ years of fixing things) that when I get to a customers house I'm kind of in a slow boil. 'On the attack' would be a good description. It may look like tense and distant (or much worse) I don't know what the problem is yet and I'm actually low level angry. That doesn't go away until I isolate and find the way I'm going to fix it and actually begin to see that the fix is going to work. Then I become sociable and friendly. This happened 8-12 times a day for 30 years. Looking back on it I'm amazed to be alive and I'd at least expect to have an ulcer, but no.

[@shadowfox3rd]

enjoy the suck. or embrace the suck. my pastor says that sometimes. its about realizing that suck (parts of life that you dont like, aka they suck) are going to happen. usually more often then good times. the valleys so to speak. learning to work through those moments and finding enjoyment, or doing your best to be happy is what makes some people that much better. life, projects, ect. are all gonna have suck. so you take those bads, with the goods.

[@rmast]

Nice bottle of Bundaberg Ginger Beer off to the side of the workbench

[@AJB2K3]

I wanted to bail on a project but had to finish it. That project was organising my workshop

[@GrantSR]

Skill is when you always know exactly what you are doing. Talent is when you have no idea what you are doing and yet you do it anyway. Often better than you would if you thought you'd knew what you were doing.

[@spiraleye7822]

Adam should do the eaglemoss star trek collections lineup one at a time and make them like 1 day builds or long projects or whatever but that would be cool to see Adam show the world how to copy the eaglemoss models which are in my opinion great models and a great collection! But I'm a star trek/collecting/making stuff fanatic! Lol

[@biquinary]

The thing I face all the time is slightly different: When I'm not at work I want to do personal projects. I'll get really into something for 6-7 hours, then lose interest, never get it back, and eventually find another project. There are two points of view I could take: 1. I'm doing this for fun in my personal time. If I don't feel like doing a project, then there's no reason to do it. 2. Actually finishing a project, requiring me to fight through, would probably be a lot better than the several dozen projects I've dropped. What do you think?

[@luf4rall]

I'm always down for some Savage storytime

[@laughatchaos]

For me, that's mold making. It's not what I'm particularly good at(working on it) and it's a part that I wish I could skip, buuuut it's part of the process, it's gotta get done. No Way around it. 🤷‍♂️ the upside, when I get through it and it's a success, that feel good moment hits soooo much better.

[@voltaire1211]

Bundaberg Ginger Beer... 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽.... Great Aussie beverage...

[@evbunke2]

Omg Zoob! I had Zoob as a kid!

[@RainRaifu]

I half hoped the dinosaurs at the end of the 1000 dart nerf gun video was some sort of reference to KB but, twas only a hope.

[@johannnorris6350]

Good morning Adam

[@randomking6865]

I love your vidios and I LOVE MITH BUSTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!💖

[@slugdaluga]

Kind of the reason I don't like to cook. It takes me days to clean up.

[@andy-in-indy]

There is a possible unstated assumption in the question @XoSw asked. If you find that you cannot complete a project because you cannot recapture interest or you give up once they end is in sight, you may be having issues relating to ADHD. Find an online assessment, and take the results to your doctor. If it is so bad you cannot finish any projects, it is time to lock into medication and ADHD focused therapy (to help redo your coping skills). That may not be the issue with the original questioner, but it may be something someone else's needs to hear.

[@scaredscorpion]

This! I spent so long asking mentors about ADHD issues and them not being able to understand. Actually getting a diagnosis and treatment is amazing

[@nickk4010]

Not every normal human emotion and thought needs to be medicated. I agree its always good to check in on your mental health, but jumping straight to recommending medication because someone loses interest/motivation in a project is telling of our over-medicated society.

[@andy-in-indy]

@@nickk4010 If you think I jumped straight to medication without diagnosis, you need to work on your reading comprehension. Also, ADHD is woefully under-treated and is often masked by the comorbidities it presents with (e.g. depression, anxiety, dyslexia, etc) but these cannot be fully treated without also addressing the issues of ADHD. In short, ADHD is real and it is when the normal regulation of emotions does not work. It is normal to be bored but it is not normal to be unable to push through the boredom and finish your project.

[@stevesmith1383]

I miss the Raptor build that was taken down

[@snip3r416]

I can tell this video Adam has his cameraman 🥰

[@colegamet9206]

When writing a book it's called "the marathon in the middle"

[@fireballxl-5748]

Speaking of spacesuits....Adam, you know very well that NONE of them can withstand even a moderate vacuum MUCH LESS the Negative 17 power Torr of outer space. If the suit managed to hold together (not possible) it would be as stiff as granite thus making any movement impossible. It's the truth and you know it.

[@hubcityrunner]

Say Industrial Light & Magic one more time. 🤣

[@charlie9ine]

No matter how you feel about a project if your mind is in the right place you will extract a learning experience. Don’t get bored... find the hidden gem.

[@garthor]

I feel like the longest one day build question was more about build time than time between filming and video release... but now I'm curious if you've kept stats on stuff like that... >_>

[@BThings]

I’m always amused when people expect deleted scenes to be these amazing lost artifacts from a show or movie and then they’re shocked by how bad it was. Maybe that’s why it was left on the cutting room floor! 🎞✂️🎞

[@laidman2007]

I round robin my projects so I don't become overly invested in any one project.

[@TrevorTrottier]

I read the title as bailing on boring people and got way too excited.

[@SCRT]

He's the type of guy to lick his fingers when turning a page while reading on his iP‍ad

[@ScottHebert604]

that guys name is SMOKE WEED 🤣

[@Mireaze]

A "one day build" that involves lawyers? Must be the raptor costume thing

[@o2bsam]

@Mireaze the project that will remain nameless, when Adam mentioned "lawyers" I immediately dropped into the comments to see if anyone mentioned the raptor build. And here ya'll are!! 😝

[@martins.4240]

Ah well, at least I got to see a couple of them before they were nuked.

[@cbalan777]

Why would that involve lawyers?

[@lcotner5068]

@@cbalan777 my guess is that the issue was related to trade secrets involving a partner.

[@Xiaotian_Guan]

What raptor suit? The walking dynosaur suit with moving jaw that Adam built not too long ago? It's gone now?

[@bradquinn2859]

Have really done a gun episode? You have episodes about the technical and artistic challenges around gun shaped objects.

[@steveschritz1823]

“The Fail is the meat in the sandwich!” :-)

[@KyleJWest-vn9kn]

I weirdly understand what Adam is talking about with cleaning up after a project and just sort of forcing your way through “post project depression”. I’m a really big fan of Halloween (the holiday) and do a large yard haunt for all the kids in town to enjoy. I build lots of props and really have fun with it… but come November 1st when it’s all going back into the basement there is always this weird feeling of… blah that comes with it. I’ve always got to pack everything away and then NOT open the door to my “Halloween Room” for another couple months.

[@topex3156]

Good 👍❤️❤️❤️

[@nedanother9382]

How funny that you look like Dave King's (flogging Molly) brother

[@malibu13203]

Re-make an Enigma machine!

[@ellis1230]

Cool

[@scottmantooth8785]

*have lots of projects going on simultaneously and have so for years at various stages of completion...many require more funds while others are just waiting for artistic inspiration...and OH LOOK A SQUIRREL!!!!!*

[@SecondFinale]

MythBusters Jr. was really good, legitimate MythBusters.