While watching coverage of the Olympics, I was amazed at how athletes do such dificult things and make them look easy. Most of us are aware of the amount of practice and just plain hard work that these men and women put into their field.
While in college I was part of a competitive gymnastic team. One of the goals of competition was to not only accomplish the routine, but to make it look easy - no strain on your face, even though every muscle was aching. There were some people who admired what you did and even made the statement, "I wish I could do that". What those folks didn't see was the hard work that made the wish come true. Our practice sessions were daily at 5:00 AM - it was dark and the gym was empty. For a two hours you did the same thing over and over and over until the moves became natural. Every day you were sore and most of the times you had blisters on your hands. Then you showered, dressed, and went about your usual routine of classes. I worked in the afternoons and weekends. Before competitions there were evening workouts that lasted well past bedtime.
Dan uses that word "Passion" a lot and the guys I worked with certainly had it. But combined with that passion was just a lot of old, everyday hard work. There were a few that would want to join us...and they were welcomed, but not many stuck it out.
I think our profession is a lot like that. Sometimes we hear the "I wish I could do that" but then few follow through. Along with the passion necessary to drive someone in this craft (or in any endeavor) there is also just a lot of hard work. It may not be the sweat type work of digging post holes, but it is work nonetheless.
I read somewhere that competition drops off sharply after 40 hours. Many are willing to put in a days work for a days pay, but then the field quickly narrows after regular hours. The "after hours" experience (for which there is no pay) is what molds the expert. For those willing to go the extra mile and do what most are unwilling to do are the ones that excell. And there is no glamour at 5:00 am in an empty gym....or skating rink, swimming pool, or whatever arena of sport that you engage.
So many of the How-To books I read (wood carving, painting, drawing, etc.) have somewhere at the end of the "Things To Do" list a line that says "Practice, Practice, Practice". And practice is nothing but work.
But, strangely, to the person driven to learn something new, it isn't work....it's just what is necessary to get to the next level. And it may even be fun.
Back in my college days, there were a lot of sore muscles, torn hands, and weary backs, but it all disappeared with a pat on the back from someone I admired, the applause of an appreciative audience, or a cheap, plastic trophy.
Today, forty years later, it is still the same. Practice, practice, practice....but it's all worth it when someone says, "I wish I could do that".
End of sermon. MDO is calling.
[ February 13, 2006, 05:05 PM: Message edited by: Raymond Chapman ]
Posted by Teresa Bostic (Member # 6214) on :
Thanks, Ray. Reminded me of my volleyball days. I was a setter for a co-ed and a women's team. Many, many nights up till four the next morning- already too sore to sleep. The bruises and berries were worth it though, to take home a trophy. I gave it up for my long nights and weekends here. It was worth it, too.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
I'm totally with you on this Raymond. I never had any athletic ability or desire to do that type of thing but instead get my jollies from my craft.
On the artistic side, the passion is what drives me after everyone else has puched in their 40 hours and gone home to other things. Its not about the money... but rather about being the very best I can possibly be.
I last 'worked' when I was 23 years old... almost 30 years ago. I still put in WAY too many hours each week at what I love. I simply have to. Like you say above, all the stress and strain disappears when you recieve the pat on the back or the proverbial plastic trophy. What it represents is what it is all about.
A customer's sincere appreciation is often all it takes. Today we recieved notification of two major awards... which will be formally announced soon.
To have that recognition and that of my peers is awesome. To have our very different approach to signs recognised is worth a lot to me. It validates my efforts above and beyond the satisfaction I get daily from my work.
-grampa dan
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Just thought of another example:
Last week I was reading in a woodworking magazine about Sam Maloof, who is in his early 90's. He is well know, has a very comfortable income from his furniture designs (especially rockers)and is considered the "Master" of his trade, winning every award that exists and presenting some named after him.
And yet he still works six days a week in his shop and loves every minute of it.
Now, that's what I want to be like when I grow up.
He has a legacy that will not be forgotten. I'm sure that the money he has earned has come in handy, but he has lived an extravagant life - giving away a lot of it.
And Mr. Maloof did not achieve what he did by wishing. There was a lot of sweat mixed with the sawdust on his shop floor.
Another note - Many of you are familiar with Rick Warren, who wrote the immensenly popular book, "The Purpose Driven Life". It has sold over 15 million copies, making this preacher very wealthy.
He now accepts no salary for working with the Saddleback Church in California. In fact, he sat down and figured out how much he had been paid as a preacher over the past 24 years and then gave that amount back to the church.
The money has been good, but it did not keep his wife from developing cancer. Not all those that we think "have it made" really are any different from the rest of us.
What we eventually will leave behind is our legacy. For some it is not all about money. And each legacy involves a tremendous amount of work.
Posted by Dan E. Kearfott (Member # 1286) on :
Amen brother! Ray I couldn't agree with you more. I think the term that applies here is, "Sweat Equity" that's what we invest in ourselves when working those +40 hours and I couldn't beging to tell you how many I've put in. However it doesn't feel like work, when your learning something every extra hour that you put in. How many hours have you spent working extra in order to learn something new, like laying gold or glue chipping or a new technique to improve your skills that you never get paid directly for? We all have spent many. But in the long run it's time well spent when that "Sweat Equity" starts paying off. It seems like my whole life I have done many things for free just to get a pat on the back. And you know what,it's worth it! The sound of applause is sweeter than money in the bank. It's tougher to pay the bills with but sweeter! How about the time you've spent making a gift for someone just to see the look on their face when you give it to them? Not a better feeling in the world! You're right, the price of accomplishment doesn't come cheap, but would you do it any different if you you had it to do over? Most of those people that say "I wish I could do that" will never know what it's like to master something because they don't really want to invest the "Sweat Equity" that it takes, they just keep hoping their wishes will come true.
I have a theory about talented people. . . Granted they may have a bit of natural ability but talent is really the reward of dedication and "practice, practice, practice!
I liked your sermon. Hope you find time to preach some more.
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
quote:Practice, Practice, Practice". And practice is nothing but work.
My wife and kids would certainly disagree with you on that with regards to my violin and banjo practice....especially the violin....
