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Exclusive Video: Perfect or "good enough"? (Patreon)

Published:
2019-08-16 20:38:20
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

Friends: 

I'm kind of always struggling to make work that is clean and beautiful, but without driving myself crazy obsessing over details. It's a constant fight. 

Recently, the hunt for perfection got more serious than usual and it got me thinking about issues that I think all artists struggle with. 

Here's hoping my thoughts can help someone else. 

New video tomorrow!

--Rex

Files

Previews only

Perfect or good enough?

For my Patrons.

Comments

Bill Smithem

Perfectionism is one of my greatest obstacles... Holding off on starting projects until I'm sure they'll come out perfect ends up meaning never starting anything or getting halfway through one and then putting it aside until I figured out how to make it perfect. :) I'm never satisfied with the projects I finish either, but, like yours, my wife doesn't see any of the flaws even when I point them out. Down with perfectionism!!!

Shanni Marmen

I agree totally. I'm too rough on myself. I make multiple mistakes every project... I spend hours fixing mistakes no one will see. My metric is will someone see my mistake. Will they care? Thanks for hammering that in.

Yohann_M

Rex, this was a well-written video essay. I can see some of your past as a writing teacher coming through in it. While I am a beginning woodworker and I'm just happy that I finish with something that is close to what I started out to make, I still catch myself critiquing my work a lot more than the people around me. It's hard sometimes, as I will focus on the negatives in my creations and ignore the fact that a month ago I would not have even attempted to make a dovetailed box. :)

Jeff Parfitt

I was just thinking about Forged in Wood yesterday. Your ears must have been telepathically ringing.

Frans van Ballegooijen

I know exactly what you mean. Because we're so intensely connected to our projects, we know every imperfection, and we will always see them, even when noone else does.

Nic Beurskens

I struggle with gauging my progress as a woodworker, and choosing when good enough is good enough. My bench is rock solid. Some of the joinery I'm proud of. Some I'll never post pictures of. But, the bench performs all of its duties faithfully and I didn't have to source more material to get the job done. How much better am I at this than when I started? I have a ton of support from friends and family. And the YouTube and Patreon communities are encouraging too. But, I want to creat something other craftspeople I look up to appreciate. I think your smithing friends were genuinely impressed. And they should be. This craft takes time and effort to become competent, let alone good, at. There are pieces I am proud of, in spite of and inclusive of mistakes. My biggest struggle is to know when I am being too fussy or, too much of a loose cannon. When is good enough, good enough? The only answer I have come up with is to slow down when I get impatient or, even more so, excited. The rest must come from experience. In the end, woodworking is a thing I do for me. I have my eyes set on perfection, even if it's still beyond the horizon. I'll get there some day so, any time spent in the shop with intent and purpose is a step forward. No matter the pace I'm progressing. Sorry for the novella. This video hit a real chord with me. Looking forward to the Forged in Wood video. Would love to learn about how you fixed the finish.

William Allen

I am so far from finding that line between Good Enough, and Perfect. On the one hand, with wood working I'm building my skill still and I understand that good enough is a pretty low standard at the moment, but with each project that line moves upwards. With Photography and Music my Line is much higher, and I often am unable to achieve good enough without saying to myself "it's not good enough". Seems like the more skills I have the less likely I am to be happy with my work. I realize that is terribly flawed, but then so am lol. I'm really mess ha ha ha.

Jeff Parfitt
>>25854909

My favorite thing about woodworking thus far: even if you screw something up, and I mean like measure once and cut a dozen times, there's always a way to make repairs. The internet is an endless source of how-to's and quick fixes. Can't say the same for most other crafts.

THE VICTORIAN WORKSHOP

Hi rex if you want to see perfect beautiful perfection. That you helped create. Forget wood your a dad .you can't get a hug or a good night kiss from a bit of wood .so don't beat yourself up .i can tell you are a genuine guy .lots of love from over the pond

James Boatright

Rip it out of the programmers hands and ship it, we need the money. No, no, never ever heard that. Nope nope nope....😉

Rex Krueger
>>25853037

I think the beginning stages are a great time to learn to let go. The most important thing is: don't argue with people who like your work. When you get a compliment, just say thank you.

Rex Krueger
>>25854486

It's funny how excitement can be just as bad as impatience some times. I still get hyper in the shop and make dumb mistakes.

Rex Krueger
>>25854909

I once heard a fellow woodworker say he was a 7 out of 10 woodworker. Strange, but even after more than a decade of seriously pursuing the craft, I still feel like a 3.

William Allen
>>25854909

Hey Rex: at 57, I've seen a lot of wood work. A lot. From what I've seen of your stuff, 9/10. Seriously. Probably more importantly though, is you yourself. As a human being, for the niche you've put yourself in teaching wood working the way you do, for being completely honest, 10/10 people mate, for sure. But then, I guess we're all flawed eh?

THE VICTORIAN WORKSHOP
>>25857585

Glad to hear it my kids have grown up lol .no hugs .all I get now is dad can you give me a lift in the car .or dad can you lend me £20.00 ( never get it back lol) you let slip you used to teach .your quite a vertuoso .that's why I surport your channel. Make the most of those hugs lol

Alex Larson

Great video! Per your situation, I think it's helpful to tell the other person that you didn't make the thing to your standards, as a heads up, and that you had to send it as-is because of the deadline. I'd also mention to them that you'd like their opinion on it and say that, if they think it needs more work, that you can fix it later on. Just my $0.02. People don't like to be caught by surprise and it helps to be proactive (man I hate that word), in my experience.

Mark Petersen

Great video! Your advice applies just as much outside of crafts and art. I'm a retired attorney. Left to our own devices, we'll redraft and revise a document endlessly, especially if we're sending it to another attorney. At some point (usually the very last minute), we'll send it on. Then the other side removes a comma and sends it back. Most attorneys I know, including me, would rewrite the Gettysburg Address. Thanks for your thoughts.

Mark Petersen
>>26070969

Stinnett is a master woodcarver and painter. For excellent woodcarving instruction, try Mary May. She's a great carver and teacher. Good luck.

Jake Lilevjen

I struggle with my own perfectionism in almost every aspect of my life. I am an engineer who tortures himself with crafts hobbies like painting miniatures for my RPG games, writing and running adventures for my friends, and am just now getting into some woodworking. Thank you very much for producing this video, as well as the show in general.

Rex Krueger
>>26183186

You're very welcome! I hope woodwork doesn't become another way for you to torture yourself!