thanks laurence . i do have a question, i have been making knives for a very long time be for i was disabled . and i know that my problem are far less than most of you all. and redoing my new shop is really a no brainier. cut to the chase. have any of y'all had more trouble getting past the mental or physical challenges of your new lives. i really need some feedback on this question. if you don't want to post your answer please p.m.me as you have probably figured out mine is the mental block. thanks Gary miller
Gary,
I can only speak for myself, and I do know what you mean by "Mental Block", it's just as bad as a physical problem, where it seems like there is NOTHING you can do, or at least do correctly. The only advice I can offer is the same as when anyone begins making knives, "Never quit", never give up!" Whatever the task you're attempting to do, the one that's giving you problems, stop working on anything specific and focus only on getting whatever the skill that's giving you trouble. That is what I've had to do, no matter what it is, that has worked for me. Once I get that figured out I go back to what I was working on, when I hit another problem, I do the same thing.
Now on Mental Blocks, are you referring to creativity, or just getting out the door? When I am referring to mental blocks, I'm talking about creativity, or the ability to get going once I get into the shop. Generally once i get into the shop I'll start by ''piddling", whether it be by sweeping, cleaning up or organizing the shop, then I will find something I was working on, and I usually end up getting to work on it. My biggest "BLOCKS" now come from intense pain! Getting past them is never something I can predict, I might get out to the shop and be there for 5 minutes, then again, if I can get my head in the right place, I can block the pain out..., sorta. It's hard to explain and sounds like bunk to me when I say it, but that is how I do it. It works more often than not, and I will say that it doesn't always work, it just all depends on if I can get my mind to that "place". I guess you could say it is my, "happy place", that being the shop! Just walking through the doors, I feel different, being able to stay is another story and once I realize that I have to leave is a sick feeling all by itself.
Sometimes all it takes is getting to the shop, sometimes that may not be enough either. Every situation is different as the person dealing with it. I know having a strong mind is very important, something I learned when I was in the Marines! The best way I can explain that is by having the ability to put your mind somewhere else, a better happier place than what you are currently experiencing. For me, that is getting the knife I'm working on, finished! Concentrating on the steps I need to take to get it finished is one way I do it. Everyone is different and I am in no way implying that this is the only way, the best way is the way that works for you! That is always the case! Hope this helps even just a little bit, do know you may have to force it, drudge on through it, just to see if you can get it going, that may be another way to get passed whatever problem you're having.
I know how much that sucks, whatever you have to do to get to the place where the passion can take over! That is what realy makes a difference, the passion we all share that makes us go through all the trouble we go through to do this! Rex