Yesterday, as I sat down to inscribe a metal plate for a friend’s going-away gift, I found myself reflecting on an invaluable lesson learned through the most mundane yet profound of activities. This wasn’t just about metalwork; it was about perseverance, growth, and the joy of mastering a skill through relentless effort.

A Frustrating Start

The day prior, I struggled significantly with a similar task. It took me three attempts to get the inscription right, each failure mounting frustration, self-doubt and added stress to my day. Yet, it’s moments like these that test our patience while at the same time setting the stage for powerful lessons. That evening, filled with disappointment, I resolved to approach the next day differently. I couldn’t do two consecutive days of that.

A New Day, A New Approach

With a fresh plate in hand and a renewed mindset, I embarked on what I anticipated would be a challenging task. I reminded myself, “Three tries to get it right.” However, life, as it often does, had other plans. The task required more than three attempts, pushing the boundaries of my patience and skill. Yet, this time, the process felt different. With each try, I verbally affirmed myself: “I am learning, and I am getting better.” Before each try, I would implement a lesson I had learned from the previous one. Even my husband echoed my loud affirmations, which validated my logic and gave a warm hug to my ego.

From Stress to Joy

What unfolded was nothing short of transformative. Each failed attempt became less about failure and more about a step towards mastery and curiosity. “It’s okay. The next one will be better,” I found myself saying. And true to those words, each new plate carried the lessons of its predecessors. By the fourth try, not only had my technique improved, but the final product was visibly superior to those from the previous day.

The Epiphany

This experience was a stark reminder of the power of mindset in the learning process. Shifting from a fear of failure to an embrace of growth turned a stressful task into an enjoyable journey of discovery. Each error became a question answered, each try a problem solved. The realization was profound: when we view our efforts through the lens of discovery and learning, we transform our entire approach to challenges.

The Joy of Learning

Reflecting on this, I understood that true growth happens outside the comfort zone, in the space where we allow ourselves to fail, learn, and improve. The joy I felt didn’t just stem from accomplishing the task but from the journey itself. Each attempt taught me something new about engraving, about patience, and about myself.

Looking Forward

This epiphany has reshaped how I approach not only my creative endeavors but challenges in everyday life. Whether it’s writing, crafting, or any new skill, the principle remains the same: perseverance, coupled with a positive mindset, paves the way to mastery. And sometimes, it’s not about getting it right on the first try, but getting better with every try that truly counts.

As we continue to navigate our paths, let’s carry this lesson with us. Let’s embrace the stumbles and celebrate the learning, for in every effort, there lies an opportunity to grow, not just in skill but in spirit. I am looking forward to doing more engravings and branching out into other craft projects.

How about you? When was the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone and discovered something about yourself?