Panels and Late Nights

Have you ever thought “I can mill 20 board feet in an hour”? If you haven’t, I can’t relate… I find myself doing this often whether it’s milling 20 board feet and glueing them up really quick after work or setting up and CNC’ing this one component I need for my project. I can’t seem to find the time without taking it away from others that I do want to spend time with. Is woodworking my mistress? Absolutely. I love every bit of it so much that I can’t seem to stop making excuses to be in the workshop completing tasks for my next project. The issue is I’m the only one who actually cares about this next project. My job, girlfriend, friends, and family have different expectations. I’ve gotten so good at making these quick “I got caught up” excuses, that I believe in them. I should know by now that milling that lumber would take longer than an hour. I should also know what milling the lumber entails. Now I have to bring my mistress home and put her right in front of my girlfriend’s face. That’s not cool, and what else isn’t cool is setting unrealistic expectations to friends and clients. I’m a people pleaser and I think this is where it all started. I would tell someone it would take less time than it actually would and this in turn always leads to disappointment when it’s not done, or me staying up all night to complete the task. I think I need to reevaluate what I tell myself I have time for between exhibits work, personal life, and sleep. Until next week or two! -Brandt.