What does success in woodturning (or anything else) mean to you?

Success is getting a project finished and being able to point out what I deem as "problem" areas and having people say I'm too hard on myself.

Truly, in wood turning, I'm still trying to be a success.

Glenn J.

Finally being able to turn piece that otherwise comes so easily to others.

Tom Coghill wrote on Jan 16^th, 2018 at 10:38am:


IMO that's "Poppy-xxxx"
It takes as long as it takes.
Some of those that make it look easy are, for whatever reason, predisposed to a certain skill. Most of the time these people are called 'naturals".
The length of time you spend doing a certain task has no bearing on whether you become skilled at it or not. Skill is often an intangible concept and therefore can not be measured by time.
Repetition may be a determining factor at become proficient at a certain task.
Example,
If you practice rolling beads for X hours you presumably gain proficiency at it. If you practice cutting coves for X hours, presumably you become proficient at it as well.
This doesn't mean that you can now turn a pleasing spindle, that takes skill.

I apologize for the small rant, it's a pet peeve of mine.

Success is really the "Ah" moment in anything really. It is usually achieved through several roads of failure, and is personally perceived. I've played handball for 44 yrs and I am nowhere near the master (natural) of the game. But I try to improve with every shot, as I try improve with every moment in front of the lathe. That is what makes this hobby, and everything else, very enjoyable. When you're on top, there is only one direction to go.