Woodworking is massively affected by what you are writing about:
Everything is perfect.
Everything is right the first time.
Everyone appears as a master.
Failure is part of my substack pitch. I'm trying to make woodworking more accessible and as part of that, I am sharing all of my mistakes, insecurities and lessons I've learned.
I believe I can help people understand that failure is fine through being transparent and making fun of myself about it.
Failure is a lesson we can all learn from. Not something to hide.
Thank you for taking the time to read and share such a thoughtful comment Daniel. I am so happy to hear you're trying to bring accessiblity into woodworking. The principles apply outside 'online business' so I am grateful people like yourself and spreading it.
this was an amazing read and such a good reminder we all need if working online. It easily becomes a keeping up with the jones' vibe when no one wants to be honest about real failures, and how maybe it didn't have the flashy outcome but it was a lesson that you will take with you.
Thank you for the kind words Chelsea. That's exactly why I wanted to share it. I will always be open and authentic about my experience cause I can't stand what I am seeing out there!
Thank you for sharing about this. These things we invest our time and energies into that don't work out... Or that take years when we thought they would take months. And also, we cannot control the outcome. That is why it is so important to be invested in what motivates us beyond money. Perhaps it's the people you are spending time with building the dream out. Perhaps it's the actual tasks you are doing that get you excited or help you learn and remember something that will benefit you down the road. Nothing is ever wasted. Not even failure.
I've been contemplating writing about this myself... Because there are many things that might look like failures. But to me they just seem like the winding journey to their natural trajectory... As long as I keep taking the next step. I really appreciate you, Landon.
This hits "take years when we thought they would take months" it's such a valid point and I find that social media, society, and marketing play a vital role in this. We're persuaded to think things are quick -- they aren't or at least not for everyone. I have never found quick success. This is something I want to normalize for others.
I hope you do write about it andrea, I think positive voices around this are needed.
Human life IS failure. As someone else said, as long as people are still on this planet - i.e., not in space - (and still dying), human life is a failure.
I begin to suspect that the key to "success" is not pursuing "success." Better to find a way to "stand outside of it all - on your own" - as Charles Bronson's character said in the movie "The Mechanic" - he was a hit man, by the way, who was independently wealthy.
Another recommendation I read somewhere which I have posted on my white board: "The only 'problem' you have is the stress caused by your worrying about your 'problems.' Stop reacting entirely. Accept everything exactly as it is. Surrender to your negative judgments - then do as you will. Stop caring. Stop contending. Stop stopping."
I read a couple articles years ago that suggested one could make a living from literally any endeavor. There was a guy who spent most of his time in college drinking beer. When he got out of college, he decided to keep doing so. So he became an expert on beer. He researched odd beers from around the world, even in the Amazon jungle. He set up a museum on the subject of beer. He gave lectures on the subject. In short, he made a living drinking beer.
Another story was about two rock climbers. Rock climbers are so dedicated, they're invariably broke and live out of their cars. These two guys, however, had fallen off a mountain one time and somehow survived. They turned that experience into a motivational presentation that they give for corporate employee meetings. They got rock climbing gear companies to sponsor them by wearing the company's gear. In short, they found a way to make a living from their sport.
So maybe the key isn't to do any sort of conventional "business" - because that forces you to engage in what is essentially a "rigged" game which rewards established players.
Instead, create your own "path" - and find a way to monetize that.
The only thing better than that is to find a way to live without money. I'm still working on that concept.
So maybe the key to "failure" is: do something you can't "fail" at.
Thank you for the honesty Stuart. Everyone's experience with it is different, but I don't believe it's easy. However, I do believe (when ready) taking the time to explore it, examine it, and see how we can change the narrative around it can be powerful.
Wow, you've certainly gone through some tough times. But you're right, it shouldn't be swept under the carpet. people need to know it's not all sunshine and rainbows. - It's funny, but I was just watching a video from Alex Hormozi today on this very topic and all the horrible failures he went through.
The highlight reel on social media is far from the truth. I think if most people knew what they were getting into, I'm sure there'd be fewer of us plying our trades : )
Woodworking is massively affected by what you are writing about:
Everything is perfect.
Everything is right the first time.
Everyone appears as a master.
Failure is part of my substack pitch. I'm trying to make woodworking more accessible and as part of that, I am sharing all of my mistakes, insecurities and lessons I've learned.
I believe I can help people understand that failure is fine through being transparent and making fun of myself about it.
Failure is a lesson we can all learn from. Not something to hide.
Thank you for taking the time to read and share such a thoughtful comment Daniel. I am so happy to hear you're trying to bring accessiblity into woodworking. The principles apply outside 'online business' so I am grateful people like yourself and spreading it.
this was an amazing read and such a good reminder we all need if working online. It easily becomes a keeping up with the jones' vibe when no one wants to be honest about real failures, and how maybe it didn't have the flashy outcome but it was a lesson that you will take with you.
Thank you for the kind words Chelsea. That's exactly why I wanted to share it. I will always be open and authentic about my experience cause I can't stand what I am seeing out there!
Happy to hear that because more people need to hear this type of content! shouted you out on my IG carosel as well! keep going :)
Ohh exciting! Thank you.
Thank you for sharing about this. These things we invest our time and energies into that don't work out... Or that take years when we thought they would take months. And also, we cannot control the outcome. That is why it is so important to be invested in what motivates us beyond money. Perhaps it's the people you are spending time with building the dream out. Perhaps it's the actual tasks you are doing that get you excited or help you learn and remember something that will benefit you down the road. Nothing is ever wasted. Not even failure.
I've been contemplating writing about this myself... Because there are many things that might look like failures. But to me they just seem like the winding journey to their natural trajectory... As long as I keep taking the next step. I really appreciate you, Landon.
This hits "take years when we thought they would take months" it's such a valid point and I find that social media, society, and marketing play a vital role in this. We're persuaded to think things are quick -- they aren't or at least not for everyone. I have never found quick success. This is something I want to normalize for others.
I hope you do write about it andrea, I think positive voices around this are needed.
I read somewhere that this is how "plans" go:
1) Make a plan.
2) Execute the plan.
3) Watch the plan fall apart.
4) Throw away the plan.
Human life IS failure. As someone else said, as long as people are still on this planet - i.e., not in space - (and still dying), human life is a failure.
I begin to suspect that the key to "success" is not pursuing "success." Better to find a way to "stand outside of it all - on your own" - as Charles Bronson's character said in the movie "The Mechanic" - he was a hit man, by the way, who was independently wealthy.
Another recommendation I read somewhere which I have posted on my white board: "The only 'problem' you have is the stress caused by your worrying about your 'problems.' Stop reacting entirely. Accept everything exactly as it is. Surrender to your negative judgments - then do as you will. Stop caring. Stop contending. Stop stopping."
I read a couple articles years ago that suggested one could make a living from literally any endeavor. There was a guy who spent most of his time in college drinking beer. When he got out of college, he decided to keep doing so. So he became an expert on beer. He researched odd beers from around the world, even in the Amazon jungle. He set up a museum on the subject of beer. He gave lectures on the subject. In short, he made a living drinking beer.
Another story was about two rock climbers. Rock climbers are so dedicated, they're invariably broke and live out of their cars. These two guys, however, had fallen off a mountain one time and somehow survived. They turned that experience into a motivational presentation that they give for corporate employee meetings. They got rock climbing gear companies to sponsor them by wearing the company's gear. In short, they found a way to make a living from their sport.
So maybe the key isn't to do any sort of conventional "business" - because that forces you to engage in what is essentially a "rigged" game which rewards established players.
Instead, create your own "path" - and find a way to monetize that.
The only thing better than that is to find a way to live without money. I'm still working on that concept.
So maybe the key to "failure" is: do something you can't "fail" at.
I think the only way to not fail is to not do anything. That doesn't sound very exciting to me!
I love this. It’s so incredibly normalizing. I have so felt this way too and appreciate you sharing this!
Normaling. Yes. Thank you! I feel such a call to try and normalize things for everyone.
Evaluating my relationship with failure- remains painful.
Thanks for putting this post out there
Absolutely. When I frequently ask myself ‘what’s actually good about this?’ the answers are fuel for the journey ahead
Thank you for the honesty Stuart. Everyone's experience with it is different, but I don't believe it's easy. However, I do believe (when ready) taking the time to explore it, examine it, and see how we can change the narrative around it can be powerful.
Wow, you've certainly gone through some tough times. But you're right, it shouldn't be swept under the carpet. people need to know it's not all sunshine and rainbows. - It's funny, but I was just watching a video from Alex Hormozi today on this very topic and all the horrible failures he went through.
The highlight reel on social media is far from the truth. I think if most people knew what they were getting into, I'm sure there'd be fewer of us plying our trades : )
Thanks Barry.
My goal here is to normalize what ‘really’ happens on the journey rather then what were fed through social.
I like how you take lessons from failures… keep it up
Thank you.