[stickman]

I have been so busy that carving has fallen off the radar screen.the couple of times that I had an inkling to do something I took one look at my bench and was overwhelmed (very cluttered and disorganized).

I guess I need a system where I put everything away and clean up every time I'm done or it gets out of hand .

thats very hard to do because when I'm on a roll I don't want to stop and I work till the last minute and then I throw it all on the bench thinking I'll get to it later but I never do.

anyone have any suggestions as how to improve my poor organization and time management skills.(besides a lobotomy)

[Ron Davidson]

I think as far as time management is concerned no one can do that but you it's your time or should I say lack of time that needs managed. I know sometimes when I get busy with meetings and such and have to work in time to carve I just have to carve in the gap times. As far as organization that is also an individual thing. Some like me have always been real sticklers for organization but now I have to be even more organized than before. I clean the bench off when done carving each time and clean the floor when I can no longer get my chair to roll over the chips. Try vacuuming with your eyes closed you tend to miss allot.
Ron

[Tom H]

Michael, I think you'v hit the nail squarely on the head. At least as far I it relates to me. I have noticed that every time my shop get really nasty, I avoid it. Every time my carving area got messy I try to avoid it. I used to think that sometimes I was just not motivated to carve. But as soon as I realized that I was not motivated to clean up after myself, I found I had half the problem licked. On those occasions when I cleaned up the carving area, I became revitalized and wanted to carve (needed to carve). I still haven't been able to maintain a real motivation to clean up after myself, but now that I know the problem I can sit right in the middle of the mess and clutter and carve. Tom H

[mark yundt]

Not to sound too glib,,,but eating and paying bills sorta motivates me,,as well as wanting to see ideas come to life.Then again at times that doesn't do it,,the ideas are so well formed and I know exactly what it will look like,,doing it almost seems redundant,,,why bother,,if it weren't for customers wanting it,,I might not get around to doing it.As far as a clean/messy shop goes,,,well what is the saying about a clean desk being the sign of a cluttered mind.I do have good intentions of at least trying to make the impression of an attempt to clean up my shop occasionally, but who am I kidding.Only when it gets to the point I'm sifting through layers of tools like an archiologist of some sort looking for something,,or I run out of places to just pile up more stuff,,and nearly kill myself tripping over power lines,,tools ,,wood ,,piles of chips ,,do I consider cleaning up the mess.Or of course when I know someone is going to visit.Personally I'd rather make stuff than clean my shop...and why bother really,,no-one sees it but me,,and it's only going to look the same in a day or so.And when it actually is clean,,I promise that I'm going to really try and keep it that way,,,so far I've broken that promise for 15 yrs now,,,but I promise I will keep it some day.Well,, now I'm motivated to go and make something else,,,like,,,another mess.........

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Originally Posted by stickman

I have been so busy that carving has fallen off the radar screen.the couple of times that I had an inkling to do something I took one look at my bench and was overwhelmed (very cluttered and disorganized).

I guess I need a system where I put everything away and clean up every time I'm done or it gets out of hand .

thats very hard to do because when I'm on a roll I don't want to stop and I work till the last minute and then I throw it all on the bench thinking I'll get to it later but I never do.

anyone have any suggestions as how to improve my poor organization and time management skills.(besides a lobotomy)

Shock therapy?

[mdallensr]

stickman, been there and done that! In my early days of carving, I used our kitchen table, clamped a light on it, dragged out my stuff, and carved until I got "moved". I decided I knew myself well enough to know I wouldn't keep carving if it was a major struggle to do so. I now have a couple of dedicated carving "stations" where I can go and sit (or stand) and carve anytime with no make-ready. I organized them to the point that they work for me, and when they're neat, they're good. Better yet, when they're cluttered because I didn't put my carving tools away, it takes almost no time to do that and be carving.

I recognize the difference between clean and neat/organized. I don't worry too much about clean, since some wood chips and clutter aren't going to keep me from carving. Mike

[squbrigg]

Sorry, but to me, motivation and cleaning shop have no relationship. I guess it's the old sailor in me, to keep everything ship shape and in their place, and messes cleaned up after each session.

To motivate myself, I try to have several things available in mid-carve, a long term project like a ship or two, a short term project like a relief or half model, and a bunch of short term pieces available for a quick fix! So depending on my mood or how I'm feeling, I can usually have something available to fit the bill. But then for me, carving is therapy, it helps me organize and exercise my mind, exercise my cognative skills as well as my carving skills, at a nice slow pace. Practice my problem solving, exercise short term memory, concentration, and attention. It's soothing and relaxing, while being good for me.

Bob

[stickman]

I guess the bottom line is I need to clean up and quit procrastinating .

Hi Ho do you thing shock therapy would really work?at this point I might give it a thought.

I wonder if I could get my pretty wife to do it for me.LOL now that would SHOCK therapy! ha ha ha

[Just Carving]

Sometimes I just don't bother. When I'm ready to clean or organize, I do. So, until then, I just pick up the nearest knife and start carving. For me, carving is a hobby, and it is to be enjoyed. So, if it is a chore--like painting carvings which I don't enjoy at all, I avoid it. However, it is easy for me to say this because I tend to keep my workspace semi-organized to begin with. If I take a tool out, I'll put it back. If I make a mess, I clean it up. I'm not perfect but I don't let it get too far out of hand. I guess that's MY secret.

[jillsy]

Well, I'm no sailor (but I do think they're cute!) but I'm with Squbrigg on this one! If things are a mess, to me, it's like trying to relax in chaos. And the more it's avoided, the more mess is created, so the more you procrastinate, and feel less motivated. On the other hand, some people have no problem working like this and even get more energized by it all.

It totally depends on the type of person you are and what works for you. If you're not feeling motivated by being around the clutter though, may as well just bite the bullet, clean it up, and get yourself refreshed. Maybe then the motivation will come.