I was thinking today about practice, and how important it is, but how easily (and often) overlooked.
I was thinking in particular about woodworking, specifically hand-cut dovetails. I have so many projects that I want to build, and just screwing two boards together is so easy that it is hard to mentally justify taking the time to learn how to hand-cut a joint like a dovetail.
I have wanted to learn how to make hand-cut dovetails for a long time. I even bought a dovetail saw a couple years ago so I would have it ready whenever I had the time or desire to go give it a try.
I have watched videos, I've read articles, and I'd like to think that I have a decent understanding of how to make a dovetail joint.
But I've never done it.
All the theory in the world means nothing if you can't execute.
And the only way to execute is practice.
Practice may seem boring. It may seem like a waste of time, especially when there are so many other projects to do. But it comes down to what you want to do and why.
I have spent a lot of time making various projects, figuring out and learning as I go. I have not spent much time working on specific skills without a specific project in mind.
I don't remember on which podcast I heard it, but I heard a story about a pottery teacher who split the class in two - one group was supposed to spend the entire term designing and making the best possible pot for a competition at the end. The other group was graded on how many pots they completed, and could also submit one for the competition at the end. The story goes that the best pots were from the group who made the most pots.
It was essentially practice. Make something, learn from mistakes, make it again, learn more, make it again...
If I don't want to learn how to make a hand-cut dovetail - or any other joint - as a project calls for it, I need to practice them. And then practice some more. And then a little bit more.
It may be difficult to go in the garage and start making joints that will just end up in the burn pile, but I can't help but think how worthwhile it would be.
Sometimes, maybe, doing the work isn't just creating or even working on a final product, but instead can be developing and honing new skills which can be applied later.