Dear Dr. Debi,
I have cut so many boards wrong, broken so many bits, and am ready to throw a hammer! What should I do next?
Signed, Tossing Boards

Dear Broken Bit,
      Sounds like a progression in the wrong direction for your project; sorry. To help, consider how the pros do their projects.
      Among pro builders, they make a careful estimate of their material requirements and then add on 5 to 10% for mistakes and waste. But when we amateurs start a project, somehow we figure we have to order the exact amount of wood and then use it precisely right, leaving only sawdust and no excess boards.
      Some years ago, I was making rails for my new kitchen counter tops out of maple to match a nice butcher block I was using on one end of the room. For the remaining counters, I would carry the front rail across, and use tile to fill in the surface behind. So, I bought a nine-quarter board of lovely clear maple and worked with an elder mentor named Aksel, who could help me with a combination of cuts, rips and milling to make the huge assortment of pieces to finish all my trim work.
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      When we were done, he smiled and said it was unusual how I had calculated the full use of every cubic inch of wood, including kerfs for each cut, leaving only a waste piece the size of a pencil by the time we were through. But I had not accounted for my own waste in the job that would happen when I began making my mistakes. He cautioned me that a professional builder does not waste time on such inner board engineering, only to be thwarted by the usual waste in the end. The wise man sees.
      We have to face it that all builders, including pros, make mistakes in cutting boards. It is largely our expectation that WE are the problem that raises our blood pressure and our frustrations.
      The same thing happens with bits. If you look in a professional builder’s toolbox at their bit collection, you will see the same bits missing over and over, in each little box that has been in their truck for more than a month. It is not just you. Everyone breaks bits. Drills drop; you hit a nail, your sweaty hand slips; the bit is dull and the board is hard; the angle is awkward; you sneeze. Plenty of reasons; that’s why they sell extra single bits, too.
      Now the throwing hammer part – sounds like your frustration got farther than your reach. That too is understandable when operating in unfamiliar terrain. Not to say we should avoid all things unfamiliar; that would be a dull life. Let’s develop an operating map for this unexplored landscape.
      Let’s look a little at the brain and how it handles surprises, especially unpleasant ones. First we need to notice that we like having our brain act right. It feels OK; it thinks fine enough; or, at least we are used to its stronger and weak parts. But all of this can change when we are stressed with an unpleasant surprise.
      At the time of our surprise, the brain can freeze up; especially the front part of it can become quite dull. Actual scientific studies have shown how traumatized brains essentially go dark in electrical activity when they are stressed. The brain is an organ of the body that has optimal times and off times too. When your frontal brain is off its game, those functions can get messed up that it usually does right: Feeling like yourself, Handling emotions smoothly, Thinking of other’s points of view, Creative problem solving, Laying out a sequence of plans, and even more.
      So, if your brain freezes for a little time while you are encountering a problem on your project, and it stops doing those things, your project will get off course. It is like someone just took your saws and hammers from your toolbox and there’s no way to put anything together. But don’t worry too much; there is an answer.
      Take a break – not long and not with alcohol. But a breather can loosen the tension that caused the brain to freeze up and can get that tool working again. It will be a relief to have the familiar tools in your mind again.
      The moral of the story is that we need to let ourselves off the hook from unreal expectations and we also need to notice when our own tools are not so sharp, and then let them reboot for a clean start. This practice can pay off elsewhere when facing sudden adversity, like flat tires and tangled Christmas lights too, so enjoy those free benefits from your project work.
      Happy Home Team!
Dr. Debi

 Dr. Debi Warner is the Founder of Renovation Psychology_® radio & TV host, and author of the book, Putting the Home Team to Work, available now online at RenovationPsychology.com.  Dr. Debi provides advice for greater domestic harmony to folks who are renovating their home – for True Home Improvement.  This column is offered for enjoyment and enhancement and is not intended to replace your personal medical care. 

Dear Dr. Debi,
Our big project is coming up and we wonder how to handle the physical challenges, any ideas?
Signed, Weekend Warrior

 Dear Wise to Prepare,
      Boy, you really do want to think ahead about the strength and endurance involved in your upcoming project. It can make all the difference in succeeding, and also your attitude for years to come about the rooms you create.
      Starting at the store, you can gauge the weight of the items you are installing and hauling against your own strength. It sounds logical, but you would be surprised at how often folks skip that step and just order from the picture and price. There is so much more.
      Take a look at the grab handles and see if you would be able to maneuver the item through your entrances and into position for installation. Toilets are often packaged great for this. But double sheets of half-inch drywall can be way too heavy for many folks to lift alone. So, split them apart and use sheet hanger handles to help you along. Worth the few dollars and saves the back.
      If you have a few weeks while you plan the project, very cool indeed.  You can examine the strength requirements and set up a conditioning program to get all set for the work. Just like preparing for skiing, notice how you will be reaching, twisting, working over your head, lifting, hammering, and so on.
      Now, hop over to your gym and talk with the trainer about your upcoming actions. They will be able to design a great set of exercises to progress you along to be very ready for the work ahead. And – while you are exercising, you can envision your project coming together. You will get twice the impact for your effort: a more fit body and a practiced vision for success!
      Ok, what if you don’t have that kind of time ahead? Well, I should have said it earlier, but you should make sure that you are healthy enough for heavy work. Check with your doctor and see what they say about it. They will want to know the weight of the items, how long you will work each day, and all the usual information about your health that they check every time.
      Which brings me to the salt question. Sweating a lot can make your body lose salts; these are needed for your body’s insides too, not just for sweat & tears. You will need to ask your doctor about what to do when sweating, whether salt tablets, athletic drinks, or whatever; there can be helpful or dangerous ways to use these.  So get a plan from your health expert that’s fit for you.
      You can get confused and out of sorts, even irritable when you have sweated too much. Let folks around you, let you know if they think you are off your game and may need to do your personal health plan to deal with over-sweating or over-heating.
      Of course resting with overheating is prudent. Become familiar with the signs of this condition, because someone you work with may get over-heated and confused and not know when to quit. Getting cool, rest and out of the sun are a start, but you need to look at the first aid book and get the whole story there.
      By the way, a pro-level renovation job will have the right equipment. And that includes a good first aid kit. So many folks are trained in this I am happy as can be. Are you trained? Do you know who is in your family? It might be your teen-aged scout. If so, what a great time to ask them to get online and develop a kit for your project, a budget to purchase, and then to assemble it. Of course include an easy to use modern first aid book, too.
      How about stretching? Start now. Move your body around in the positions it will use to do the work. Anything not moving? Then, back to the gym, or the doctor. Well, stretching, breathing slowly and easing your body across positions will give you a clue about where you will find limitations. And of course, everyone know that jumping in cold into a vigorous work project can be dangerous to your muscles and joints, so ease in with some warm ups, watch your straining, and take plenty of breaks.  Shorter work times will give you a better idea of how you are doing physically and prevent you from getting in too deep, or injured.
      And as you explore these physical dimensions of your preparedness, and may see limitations, you may even want to find friends, family, or hire folks to help you out. Many hands make light work. And besides, there’s the fun of it too!
      Happy Home Team!
Dr. Debi

 Dr. Debi Warner is the Founder of Renovation Psychology_® radio & TV host, and author of the book, Putting the Home Team to Work, available now online at RenovationPsychology.com.  Dr. Debi provides advice for greater domestic harmony to folks who are renovating their home – for True Home Improvement.  This column is offered for enjoyment and enhancement and is not intended to replace your personal medical care. 

Photo by Bob Jenks, St. Johnsbury, Vt.
Dr. Debi has a consultation practice, from her headquarters in Littleton, NH at the Tannery Marketplace, and visiting home sites all over the East coast and beyond.  © 2006 Renovation Psychology^®  Visit  www.RenovationPsychology.com  Questions are welcome.