Ask Adam Savage: On Tackling Overwhelming Issues

What are Adam's top three life lessons? Has Adam ever tackled an issue that seemed impossible, and if so, what did his process look like? In this livestream excerpt, Adam answers these questions from Tested members K.R. Kronin and CW Arts, whom we thank for their support! Join this channel to support Tested and get access to perks, like asking Adam questions: / @tested
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[@MixedMediaInk]

"I don't trust people that haven't failed because it means they haven't pushed themselves beyond their comfort boundaries." I love that. Love this.

[@hanslain9729]

I feel like I just had an 11 minute therapy session. So many nuggets in this video.

[@davidf2281]

My top life lesson: make sure you turn up, ideally a little early.

[@smartgorilla]

Exactly. Don't do like my Spanish family do 😅

[@Rufio1975]

​@@smartgorilla What does Spanish have to do with it?

[@Rockmaster867]

5 Minuten vor der Zeit ist des Soldaten Pünktlichkeit!

[@jamesupton143]

Not only be on time, but complete critical task early. In a previous job I had to order food and paper products for a restaurant. By completing the order a day early, I could take my time and look at what we needed. I would walk to each product and make my count and compare to the par for the product and order accordingly. By taking my time I avoided shortages and unnecessary driving to find replacement products. Also, by doing the order early I had time to deal with problems that would always pop up then I could go back to making sure the order was done correctly.

[@smartgorilla]

@@jamesupton143 i have boss who does keeps chopping deadlines on me all the time. Complete narcissistic buitch I have ever worked with. Need to get my boss a firework up her ass to stop it as she doesn't listen and sets the work. He agrees to it all sometimes and makes me look sh it. It's truly rediculous. Makes me want to leave projects undone

[@joshuamartin7756]

Adam is one of the few public figures who talks about being lucky and blessed with opportunity, and also honest about his mistakes and failures along the way.

[@Howzee87]

And the hard work and long hours he’s put in. He’s not afraid to tell every side of how he got to where he is and I think that’s (part of) what makes him so relatable.

[@rachelfey]

This is huge. Ego and conditioning lead us to believe that hard work is everything. It's extremely important for sure. But, for example, I'm able bodied, and that alone gives me opportunity in my field I simply would not have otherwise. I didn't choose that, it was afforded to me by circumstance, and I remain aware of and gracious for that. Keeps a person grounded.

[@mmorgan8742]

I’ve been through a lot of turmoil in my life the past couple of years, and many things have changed for me during that time. It’s been a really challenging period because I’m not able to visualize what a stable life is going to look like for me going forward, but your statement of “you don’t have to know how to finish it, you just need to know what the next step is,” is huge for me right now. Thanks so much for sharing your experience! I’m a writer, and occasionally a maker of physical objects, and I always learn something here.

[@appalachianunderground8474]

I wish you the best and I can relate 100 percent… hang in there and continue to be you …it’s always worked for me when I’ve faced adversity for being me 👍🏻

[@Wood-In-My-Eye]

Believe in yourself! Have faith in yourself. I know this sounds counterintuitive, yet try to remain as upbeat and positive as you can. Remember you are loved you are. And no matter how hard it gets. It Can Always be Worse! And this too shall pass. Time as you get older slips away so quickly. Try not to hold onto it. Just let it glide across your fingers. Don’t squeeze it just let it flow. It’s going to no matter what. And trying to remain happy let’s it flow smoothly and easily. ❤

[@dennisferron8847]

In the Marines I learned a similar concept, "there's always one thing you can do to improve your situation."

[@InsideTheSong]

I wouldn't have expected anything other than "Be kind" as the first life lesson Adam wants to convey. Does making society better count as making? I think so. Keep making, Adam!

[@NeonDripKitty]

It's the true pinnacle of all making.

[@zensuufu]

Great lessons. Expressing Non-Violent Communication. We need more of that these days.

[@joecichlid]

Failing is a step towards the goal. Take a look at why there was a failure and learn how to not do that again. Understanding failure is growth.

[@Opforvideo2]

My Junior High Woodshop teacher wanted us to have a plan for every step of the process, including calculating the board-feet to be used, before we began a project. One of the reasons I consider Adam a hero, and don't even remember that teacher's name.

[@srussert28]

I have had people call me smart. I always say No, I am not smart. I have just screwed things up way more than a normal person and kept going till it was finished.

[@cmdraftbrn]

been hearing that for 10 years of job searching. i hear it as a backhanded insult now.

[@angeloah]

You may have just saved my life. I feel like such a failure because I try. I had a big failure followed by the loss of my mom in the same 4 days. Now I’m picking up the pieces after much darkness, you have just solidified my ideals of, the reason they see me fail is because I tried while they just judged. Thank you for being and sharing.

[@barryp4700]

Sorry for your loss. All I can say is keep going, if a day seems too long then keep going for an hour. Sometimes my days are broken down to minutes…

[@angeloah]

@@barryp4700 thank you

[@KeefyKat]

Since billboards are seen from a far distance, their resolutions is very low. Your drawing may already be fine to scale up to that size.

[@raccoonlittlebear6476]

Sound wisdom, Adam. Just putting your first foot forward starts the momentum. One step at a time, one day at a time & even one moment at a time.🎨🖌

[@nixhixx]

“Life is mostly froth and bubble, Two things stand like stone. Kindness in another's trouble, Courage in your own.” ― Adam Lindsay Gordon.

[@briandeschene8424]

Wow! You hit the proverbial nail on the head with that quote. Excellent!

[@hanslain9729]

"Service is my love language." Dude, you made me tear up hearing you say this. My wife and I have been together nearly 22 years and what you said was spoken by our counselor a handful of years back and that realization really helped my wife understand me and me better understand what I do. I love putting time into something to show appreciation. It feels right and inspiring to me. Understanding people's individual love languages is very enlightening.

[@petertrast]

"You don't have to know how to finish something, you just have to know the next step!" I love this!! Exactly how I managed to record, mix, master and publish my first music album this last year. Now I know 98% of the steps to make a great sounding album! Now I am making a music video in Premiere for KZbin. I am back to just taking next steps and I only know the next 2 or 3 of probably dozens :) I am teaching this to my kids who are helping me, and they are learning to do projects with unrevealed steps and we are all having a great time!!! Thanks again for all of your excellent advice.

[@jessekennedy9940]

David Mack has a great video about big overwhelming projects. He talks about rotating procrastination, breaking up all the problems and chipping away at them. I think about that constantly, it breaks me out of that dreaded funk of inactivity.

[@1pcfred]

I've done some huge projects and the way I tackle them is I make lists. Lots and lots of lists. There's a skill to making lists so it always seems like you're making progress. You make lists and then break down the items on the list into more lists. Maybe it sounds stupid but it works. As you check items off your lists the sense of accomplishment inspires you to forge on. Also when you have lists you don't need to think about what you're going to do next. You just do the next thing on the list. Although I do prioritize items on lists too. Then as things come up they get added to a list. There's days when I don't feel up to doing high priority items. But I'm always up for a secondary task. It needs to be done too. Plan the work then work the plan. Failing to plan is planning to fail.

[@dflosounds]

"You don't have to know how to finish something, you just have to know what the next step is." Beautiful words not only for tackling projects, but for tackling life.

[@paulkinzer7661]

Your kindness and service-sense are so clear. I watch you as much for the joy you get and give as I do for the fun things you work on, if not more. I've worked with kids for forty plus years, and one thing I try to teach them -- and it definitely can be taught -- is that the best and easiest way to be happy is to think of ways to make someone else happy. When an entire group of kids has this attitude working in the background, the place is such a joy to be part of. Of course it's not perfect, but kindness that is deliberate; something we are mindful about, works wonders for everyone. A win/win...win/win/win....

[@MrAnimal1971]

The only way to truly fail is to not try. Having the courage to start something is the first step to a heroic outcome!

[@elcorado83]

Love these videos. Adam needs to write a second book, focusing more on life lessons/skills etc

[@M6Props]

So many great take aways in this Q & A session! I love when fellow makers share the stories of failures from projects. Not only are there lessons to learn, but often funny anecdotes as well! I continue to be amazed by the depth and breadth of the life experience and knowledge you have and are willing to share with the maker world. Thank you for continuing to be a mentor to millions of makers including me.

[@paintedjay]

As a sign painter and mural artist, I could definitely give the asker some advice for free!!! And yes we still exist and we still love it!

[@derGameplayDJ]

I don't remember who, but someone once said: "Any task, no matter how difficult it is, can be accomplished, as long as you can divide it into manageable pieces." Couldn't agree more.

[@jstephenallington8431]

"Chewed on the same mud" has now become part of my tagline! I actually teared up as you were talking about being kind. I absolutely subscribe, wholeheartedly to that philosophy. I do fall short of that noble goal, time and again, but it is the in the attempt everyday of my life as well.

[@UncleManuel]

The sad part in society is that we all are raised from baby age up to don't do mistakes. THAT is a key problem. If you're trimmed to only have success and be frowned upon on failures guess what happens throughout later life. We all seem to look only at the social peer pressure, to please other people. And that is a mindset that leads into the dark abyss... 👀 And that is why I like this channel so much: Adam shares his vast life experience and isn't afraid talking about the difficult stuff. But either way: in each episode we learn something new. Maybe something to realize what's going on in your own head, see the patterns, maybe work on becoming a better person... 😎✌️

[@markfryer9880]

With the drawing to billboard issue. If it has to be done by hand then a grid scale is the best way to do it. Divide the drawing or copy thereof into a mathematically easy grid size to work with and enlarge that grid to suit the billboard area, then if required micro grid each grid square on the drawing and enlarge them for the billboard grid squares. Another way is to photograph the drawing and either project the image onto the billboard or to have a scaled up print made on whatever media suits your project. Printing on vinyl panels can be one solution or onto vinyl banners. Maybe the billboard is digital? Mark from Melbourne Australia

[@steveschritz1823]

Excellent advice. Another thing to note is that you actually can have something printed Billboard sized because that’s literally how they do billboards now. But it probably won’t be to any sort of scale.

[@ArcaneWolf9]

Yes, I do this with much smaller projects. I create artwork for classes at the school where I teach, based on themes the students have chosen for study. Getting that art scaled from a hand drawn sketch to a chunk of a blackboard is a pain, so using a grid system is great. The projector is a lifesaver, specifically because you can adjust it for size, layout, etc before touching the medium. In my case, I can lay it out to allow the blackboard to be usable, while still having images framing the less used spaces. Harder to adjust that DURING the project. Same thing with transferring art to a building wall, you don't want to have a key bit of an image destroyed by having it where a window needs to be. Starting from a photograph of the billboard, building, wall or blackboard overlaid behind your image helps with the initial design. When confirming the design layout, setting reference marks will help you make sure your scale is not getting out of whack. In regards to the grid, you don't need to have all the lines transferred onto the final surface, you can project only that, or set up a series of reference dots where the lines would cross. Even that has helped me. Unless the project is taking an image and increasing its QUALITY so that the image and composition will hold up at billboard size...

[@googiegress7459]

Scaling digitally is trivial when you use vector graphics instead of raster graphics. So my suggestion would be for projects that could end up smaller or larger to use vector tools instead.

[@awareqwx]

​@@googiegress7459 it sounds like the asker hand-drew the image, which would make creating it as a vector image kind of difficult. However, depending on the detail level of the image, it might be possible to vectorize a digital scan of the image.

[@79nsg]

Really great commentary on the topic. Many folks are so worried about taking the first step because they can't see the finish line. Goes back to "how do you eat an elephant?" One fork at a time.

[@thersp]

the two life lessons that always spring to mind for me are both taught by my father: 1) never set anything on top of your car 2) never buy cheap razors not exactly Big Picture stuff, but I've remembered them my entire life so it's got to be worth something

[@bluemule6278]

The number one top life lesson is "be honest ", you can be kind and end up scamming someone out of their life's savings. Honesty is where we're lacking. It's a rarity to find someone who speaks the truth and is honest.

[@robertpeacock1635]

One of my tag lines in some forums is "The difference between being smart and being wise is being smart is learning from your own mistakes. Being wise is learning from the mistakes of others. My life has given other people many opportunities to be wise." Another part of being wise is knowing when to ask for help from people that has already been where you are.

[@repairtech9320]

I've realized too late in my life that being easy to get along with is a great quality. Some are natural at it, for others it's a learning process. KZbin and other platforms give the opportunity to learn from others even though one is not a social person.

[@thearrogantcorndog5704]

Great advice Adam... as for the billboard.. divide the drawing in two... copy them to clear transparency and scan them.... find a projector and project the image on a large flat wall... when the height is either 10'6 or 14' (depending on the billboard size) you have your image to scale... this is how it was done years ago before the invention of grand format printers

[@nathanielturner2577]

There is one thing I was wondering about the myth from Mythbusters called ,” Buried in Concrete “. I was wondering was Adam kind of relieved that they didn’t find Jimmy Hoffa’s body in Giants’ Stadium? Personally, finding the body of a murdered person ,while at work, would definitely scar me for life.

[@cswoody879]

Great video thank you, Mine would be - Now is blessed the rest remembered. Own your mistakes admit what you don't know that't how you learn by asking. Everything is fixable given enough time no matter how hopeless it may seem in the moment, it's hard to remember the good when in the worst days but also hard to remember how you felt at your worst when a good day eventually comes around.

[@mynonysnie]

Thank you Adam, the life lessons you mentioned helped me understand something about myself, I thank you for that.

[@ostekuste3646]

Good advice for every day life there. On a side note, procrastinated on getting a Tested shop apron for ages but finally got one. It is great having access to many of the small tools and drawing implements so readily. Top quality, and yes I splurged on the autographed version because who wouldn’t want an Adam Savage original?

[@devilmay]

#3 : FAILURE is a great option towards success. Fail. Learn. Improve. Succeed. Dont be afraid to fail. As long as you learn something and keep moving forward.

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

Failure and mistakes are definitely learning opportunities, even if what you learn is how to fix the effup. But I definitely learn way more by doing it wrong than by getting it right the first time. "Failing forwards" is now my armourmaster used to describe it.

[@toodlesX14]

As someone with no woodworking experience who recently decided to try and carve something, Adam's hypothetical example was hilariously accurate to what that process looks like.

[@toastboy70]

2:07 it’s Tuesday morning here in the UK. This is the first video I’ve watched today, and I came to see something cool in the workshop. Instead I’m in tears. Thanks Adam - really.

[@DC_ABC_123]

Savage spitting truths. On top of be kind, I'll add be patient with yourself. Give others the benefit of the doubt and don't patronize them in conversation. Enjoy the process of discovery.

[@GearsAndBricks]

I have 7:22 written on my wall & it reminds me of when my Mom says, “Rely on God & do the next right thing.”

[@Mr-Mag00]

Thank you for this information, I have lived my whole life doing everything myself, roofs. water heaters timing belts, just built a full bath and kitchen for my father to age at home it doesn't end. I have been blessed with a Family who adapted to me 🙂. Preparation, planning & thinking first are key for me or I cannot start...I have to do it in my head and on paper then I am ready to work. I will agree that your statement about failure is accurate, I too am hesitant about people who cannot glorify their failures, it is with failure that we succeed! Have a great day everyone!

[@elijabutterfly6154]

Thank you Adam Savage for your comment on how to tackle overwhelming things. My whole life right now feels like i just can see the next step and i go as scarry as it is. Now i know it is a good tactic to some kind of success and I'm on a good way. Thanks for giving me hope and for being the wholesome guy you are.

[@sjlstevens100]

You are so on the money w the first part of this. I often strive to be more kind and remind myself it’s not about me. Great rule to follow…and striving to do so

[@aintgottime2bleed78]

Re: service as a love language, I recently took on a part time gig at a fish market, and I was genuinely shocked to learn how much I love just…being of service. There is joy and pride that comes from cutting a really nice piece of halibut for someone that I’ve never experienced prior.

[@Vickie-Bligh]

"Be kind and it's not all about you" is some of the best advice you can give to people. It's something we all fail at yet should strive for in our daily lives. It's a reminder I needed today, both as a plain reminder and as a confirmation of a decision I made. Thank you, Adam, as always, for the giving of your time and energy to us all.

[@ArcticArsenal]

Thank you! I needed to hear this today. I am wanting to take on a very large project. Bigger than anything else I have ever done. I have a lot to do, and a lot to learn. So much so, that I have been intimidated and I am kind of dragging my feet. "IT"S TOO BIG! I CAN'T DO IT!" But already know a few things, and I can take some preliminary steps. I will start by doing what I can, and figure out the next step when I get there.

[@EM-pt7ch]

I belive in you!

[@Boroda4Gaming]

You taught these life lessons through Mythbusters. Dont know how, dont know if that was even intentional, but You did it. Thank You For me, the 3rd one is -"Do not take everything too seriously". Even if shit starts to overflow, kindness could be your raft

[@tiagoribeiro9908]

Mr Adam Savage, you are trully an inspiration for us all! It is so satisfying to see you work and just chat. Thank you!

[@jedmanson]

Thanks Adam. I'm in the middle of a big and overwhelming project at the moment. It's causing problems and some people are not being so kind. It seems like the end right now but I can see that embarking on something big and challenging creates new and interesting opportunities. One step at a time. Patience and kindness.

[@winterlighthome]

Regarding tackling overwhelming tasks: I frequently remind myself, "Bird by bird," thanks to Anne Lamott. That prompt got planted in my mind many years ago, and I am grateful to her for it.

[@ElierOlivos]

Yes sir, Thanks Adam.

[@MatthiasHeijnsbroek]

This video (especially the second question) is SO inspirational! Thank you for asking and answering this question 😊❤

[@MrENT18]

Very informative video with great advice. Thanks so much.

[@nevets6969]

To replicate a drawing on a large surface, I would suggest gridding it off. It's much easier to focus on each square in the grid when you are working on a large wall. Just paint the basics on that one square, then the next, repeat until done. Then go back and detail it as a whole. Hope that made sense....

[@Gomisan]

These are the conversations I come here for, thank you.

[@Soulbishop]

Wow this was incredibly vulnerable and open. But also gave affirmations about things I was struggling with.

[@pscheidt]

Back in the day, we had a term for habitual buck-passers: "SHAFT" Start Hardware And Finagle Transfer

[@wildflower1397]

Take responsibility for your mistakes and failures. Everyone growing as a person makes mistakes. The wisest of people can learn from failure, sincerely apologize for hurting others, and own their mistakes. They are the ones who become better people over time, and will always be loved for it.

[@ryanperschke7061]

I wish you could talk to my father and tell him your views on this. He consistently, is in it for himself and no one else. He thinks only of himself. Thank you for this video, Adam. You really are a wonderful human being. We are all only human and we are all fallible. However, those that think they aren't are the ones who suffer the most. You have taught the world so much over the years. Your work on Mythbutsters has been inspiring to me as a person. The life lessons you have taught us all will stay with us forever. Thank you.

[@danielstewart7732]

Life Lesson #1 - Be Excellent to each other. #2) Identify harmful individuals and respectfully keep them distant. #3) We only get ONE chance at life, have as much fun as you can, for as long as you can, without hurting others.

[@Panthror]

Student: The thing exploded in front of my face! Mentor: Yeah, that happened to me too. Student: Well, how did you solve it? Mentor: Yeah, I was kind-a hoping you'd figure that one out.

[@mattmiller07]

Honestly one of my favorite videos you've done and I watch a ton of your stuff. Job well done and sage advice

[@hanslain9729]

I feel like I just had an 11 minute therapy session. So many nuggets in this video.

[@deanlindholm8663]

adam, I've had been in a COMPLETELY unrelated industry for years, and am going to use this, especially the abject failure part.

[@brussels13207]

Excellent comment on how to go about doing something you don’t know how to do. One step at a time!

[@veganconservative1109]

"Kindness is the foundation [of God's Love] and in this kindness there is every obedience to the care of this body of thee and respect for all forms of Mankind from Me. For this is of My will for thee to be gaining of what is prosperity from me." This is a small section of a message given to someone I used to know. You reminded me of it so I had to go find it and share it with you. When Jesus of Nazareth said "I am the way, The Truth, and the Life" he wasn't talking about a Church, religion, or himself. He was talking about taking the path of kindness to be in attune with God's own way and not what his contemporaries were trying with animal sacrifices and 'acting pious' . When we are walking in God's path, we are protected from our enemy. You are very blessed. Choosing the path of kindness is not easy.

[@hhoneycutt19]

Excellent post!!

[@Goalsplus]

On how to tackle an overwhelming project I fully agree. When it's really bad my technique is to just look at the project. When we don't want to do something we don't look at it.

[@daleneliton9252]

Keep it up I have looked up to you my whole life.

[@artyfhartie2269]

When I admire myself in the mirror everyday, I always say to the fantastic person in the mirror " Be kind to people. It is not their fault that they are ugly and stupid" And that makes me feel great.

[@mogadeet6857]

That is some pretty fine life advice Adam. Thanks.

[@ghimmy47]

This one is well worth saving.

[@button-puncher]

Eating the Elephant. Another great saying about a tackling a massive project. You take it one bite at a time.

[@jennyhill7791]

Love the thoughts on working with people who have failed vs. those who haven't. I totaled my pick-up a few years ago. Trailer fish-tailed, the front tires jumped the cement median, and we slide about 200 yards to a stop. The only injury was to my pride. I was a little embarrassed to tell the story at first, but I found something interesting; people who only pulled trailers here and there were more likely to act like it could never happen to them. BUT, people who pulled trailers or drove for a living immediately told me their own tales of "failure" and provided reassurance. They turned it into a learning experience rather than a FAILURE.

[@danwallace2900]

Well said! Your first point is also wise words from Peter Capaldi's Doctor regeneration. "Never fail to be kind"

[@anniebell6846]

This was such a touching thing to listen to . I was struggling at work

[@DB-rg2dk]

I now WANT to see a pike made out of that wood…perfect “one day” build lol

[@jamesbarker1994]

Thank you Adam!

[@arghsonofcliff]

We did a painting over a double door in high school of the inside of an album. We used a grid system to keep things in scale.

[@barberjr1742]

My biggest life lesson that I apply to myself and my expectations of others is "Actions speak louder than words" from my grandfather

[@LykleSchepers]

For me, the third point is: Know who you are. Yes, it's not about you, but if you know who you are and what you need to be fulfilled, you are a couple of steps closer to being able to be kind. For instance, I know how my creativity works. It is a process that I understand and use. It certainly made me a lot kinder to my wife, because it removed my frustrations when I got stuck in a project. (I admit, little trivial example, but it was the clearest one. And no, my wife is not trivial to me!)

[@pumirya]

Good questions and hope everyone is having a good day.

[@stinkyham9050]

He sure is right about that kindness thing. I've had a few nice bosses and a few horrible A-holes. When I left jobs with the good bosses everything was cool, shook their hand, wished them luck, told them to call me if there's something I could help with. When I left the bad bosses I did everything in my power that was legal to destroy their business on the way out, taking customers and/or employees with me, etc.

[@invox9490]

Here's my two cent: - scale it down. Start with a small veraion of whatever project you wanna make, figure out the steps, problems, and then just scale THAT up.

[@8vdog]

Love that movie, by the way. There's a tattoo I want very much. In a 1950's style cartoon, a roasted elephant on a platter. And it's not because I dislike elephants or want to hunt them, it's because of a philosophical statement on tackling tasks I'd heard long ago in my youth: "how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time." And thank you for putting the advice another way, as I too sometimes get overwhelmed by daunting tasks.

[@Sailingmaryellen]

What an amazing time for this video!!!! I just had huge failure on my project sailboats Maiden voyage. And got a bit discouraged from it. “Taking it one step at a time” K.I.S.S (keep it simple stupid) thanks for the advice Adam. -Hayden

[@lieselious]

“Never be cruel, never be cowardly. And never ever eat pears! Remember - hate is always foolish…and love, is always wise. Always try, to be nice and never fail to be kind.”

[@georgegherghinescu]

Adam you are an awesome person!

[@TheDementation]

If youre failing all the time, then you have a problem. You should, after a while be able to recognise when you need help, and seek it out.

[@aminals8933]

You are such a good man.

[@WTFNoNamesLeft2]

This is too funny. I thought about what my 3 would be for life lessons and "Just keep swimming" by Dory came to mind.. and then the next question's answer was exactly that.

[@miyahollands6136]

A simple low-tec method of blowing-up a smaller image would be to project it onto the surface and redraw it! Maybe projecting sections of the image, for later assembly would be easier for you and may even inform the piece! Do it small and really get to know the image, so when it comes time to draw it big, you know the subject like the back of your hand.

[@PhoenixPhell]

To quote Adam himself "Failure is always an option"

[@mattsbitsnbobsworkshop]

I was once at a very difficult place in my life with a massive thing to face and I didn't know how to start. A good friend just said this to me "how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time." As Adam said, don't think about the empty plate, just the next bite.

[@sayris01]

Thank you :)

[@bbcovault]

Failure is often viewed as something negative. But, when you learn from it, it's not. In my opinion, we humans learn more from our mistakes than any other method of learning. And, it is an effective method of learning because making mistakes in unpleasant so what we learn from them tends to stick more then, say, just reading about the correct way to do it in a book.

[@FusionDeveloper]

I've done a little wood carving, but never finished because I need sharper tools or power tools. The trick to wood carving, is the same as cutting your own hair. As long as you intentionally make it oversized (hair too long) to your goal, then you can always improve it or at least, never ruin it by removing too much. If you have a square piece of wood and want to make it a sphere, start by rounding off the corners. keep rounding off the edges more and more. If you start feeling unsure about how to proceed, take a break or move onto another wood carving project if you want. Look at wood carving as just edging closer and closer to your intention. Even if you never reach your intention, you will gain an understanding about getting closer and closer to your intention. Some people like to buy "blanks" which is an approximate shape of what they want to carve and buy them to save time, so remember that any progress, is worthwhile.

[@gratefulbobcatleeds6803]

Hair can grow back

[@FusionDeveloper]

@@gratefulbobcatleeds6803 and new trees grow back which can be cut down for wood.

[@KevinSquire]

"I don't trust people who have never failed, because it means they have never pushed themselves outside their comfort boundaries." This quote deserves to sit out there with Confucius and Yogi Berra 😀

[@therealme613]

I like when he takes a sip of cutting oil