Woodworking Discouragement Is Normal—Here’s How to Overcome It

Article - July 17, 2015

I occasionally receive emails from woodworkers who feel discouraged and need a pep talk. Recently, local woodworker Keith sent me this message:

“Just watched your video on your outdoor sitting bench. You make everything look so damn easy. I am in awe of how everything you touch comes out so perfect. What you do is a piece of art that some of us strive for but will never attain. Thank you for showcasing your talent. The only problem someone like myself has is I won’t do anything that you have done, because when it doesn’t look like yours, I feel I have failed. That is another reason I won’t be nearly as good. You have to practice to be good and I expect perfection because I see you make it look so easy. Still enjoy watching you work. Your neighbor, Keith.”

First off, Keith, I appreciate the kind words. But I have to set the record straight—this mentality is something I see a lot, and it’s the wrong way to look at your woodworking journey.

If you’ve ever felt this way, keep reading. Woodworking Discouragement Is Normal—Here’s How to Overcome It


Why You Should Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Woodworkers

Look, I get it. You watch skilled woodworkers build flawless dovetails, execute seamless glue-ups, and produce furniture that looks like it belongs in a museum. And then you step into your shop, make a mis-cut on your first board, and suddenly feel like you’ll never measure up.

But let’s pause and look at this fairly.

Keith is comparing his work to mine, but is that a reasonable comparison? Let’s break it down:

  • I’ve been woodworking for 20 years. That’s two decades of mistakes, lessons, and experience.
  • For the last 10+ years, I’ve taught woodworking full-time. When you teach, you refine your fundamentals a lot.
  • Woodworking is my job. I’ve invested in tools, a shop space, and endless hours improving my craft.

Most people reading this don’t have that same setup—and that’s okay. You might have a full-time job, a family, and only a few hours a week to dedicate to woodworking. Your path is different from mine, but it’s just as valid.

Your goal isn’t to be me. It’s to be your personal best.


Stop Aiming for Perfect—Aim for Progress

Keith used the word perfect in his message. Here’s the truth: my work is not perfect.

If you look closely at my projects, you’ll find small gaps, tiny tear-out spots, or finishing flaws. And if you compare me to other woodworkers, there are plenty who make me look like a beginner.

But I don’t let that discourage me. Instead, I use it as motivation.

Back in the early 2000s, I’d sit in my garage, looking at photos of dream woodworking shops, thinking:

👉 “That’s impressive. I’d love to have a shop like that. What steps can I take today to get there?”

Ten years later, I built my dream shop. Not overnight. Not in a year. A decade of small steps.

And that’s the mindset you need to adopt when looking at other woodworkers’ skills. Instead of thinking, “I’ll never be that good,” ask yourself:

  • What skills do they have that I can develop?
  • What steps can I take today to improve my woodworking?
  • How can I apply what I’m learning to my next project?

Practical Tips to Improve Your Woodworking Skills

If you’re feeling discouraged, here are some real ways to turn that frustration into progress:

1. Analyze Your Mistakes

At the end of every project, take 10 minutes to evaluate it. Ask yourself:

  • What do I like about it?
  • What flaws stand out?
  • At what stage did those mistakes happen?

If you can pinpoint when an issue occurred, you can prevent it next time.

2. Learn the Right Fix

Most woodworking mistakes have simple solutions. For example:

  • Tear-out on cross-cuts? Use a zero-clearance insert and a sacrificial fence.
  • Glue squeeze-out ruining your finish? Apply masking tape before gluing or learning when/how to clean it up.
  • Dovetails too loose? Warm up with practice cuts and refine your chisel work.

Half the battle is spotting the issue. The other half is learning how to fix it.

3. Recognize When It’s Laziness, Not a Lack of Skill

Be honest—how many times have you rushed a cut or skipped a step because you were impatient?

Many woodworking mistakes aren’t due to a lack of knowledge. They happen because we take shortcuts or get lazy. Commit to doing things right, even when it takes longer.

4. Set Small, Achievable Goals

Instead of saying, “I want to build a perfect chair,” break it down:

✅ Learn and practice mortise and tenon joinery.
✅ Build a simple stool first.
✅ Improve sanding and finishing techniques.
✅ Then, move on to a full chair.

This keeps your progress manageable and your confidence high.


Final Pep Talk: Run Your Own Race

Woodworking isn’t a competition. You’re not here to beat anyone else. Your only goal is to be better than you were yesterday.

If you’re struggling with self-doubt:

  • Stop comparing your work to professionals. They’ve put in years of practice.
  • Focus on your personal improvement. Set realistic goals and track progress.
  • Be patient. Skill-building takes time.
  • Enjoy the process. Woodworking should be fun, not stressful.

Instead of daydreaming about being better, take an action today that gets you one step closer.

Because before you know it, you’ll look back and realize how far you’ve come. And ironically, you won’t care about your place in the “hierarchy” anymore—because you’ll just be having fun, making things you love.

So, what’s one woodworking skill you’re working on right now? Drop a comment and let’s talk about it! 

Ready to super-charge your woodworking education? Check out our extensive woodworking courses in The Wood Whisperer Guild! 

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