It's Not The Brush It's The Operator

​As any experienced fixer-upper of things will tell you, "You need to use the right tool for the right job". You can almost always do a better job with the right tool. 

Wouldn't you agree? 

What if waiting for the right tool keeps you from doing the job at all?

If you think new tools will solve all your problem, you might want to think again. When I start waiting for the right brush, canvas or paint to come along, I could just kick myself. 

Let me tell you a little story.

I was jonesing after a new set of golf clubs. I thought my problems with golf could be boiled down to the 30-year-old set of second-hand clubs I was playing with. 

I thought a new set of clubs and it would fix everything. The handicap would plummet. I'd be a scratch golfer in no time.

The day came and my clubs were delivered. I loaded sticks and headed to the range. 

My game would be born again!

I put the first ball down and pulled out my handy-dandy pitching wedge. The pitching wedge was always a go-to club for me. I never missed with a wedge.

I took a couple of practice swings.  

I thought, "Damn, this will be good!"

I moved up to the ball. I used every mantra I knew to bless the shot. 

The club went back. It felt so good.

Then the turn. This is where it all happens.

The turn was smooth and steady, inside-out, left arm straight, eye on the ball. Perfect. 

Now, push, swing, follow through!  

It all happened so quickly. My club made incredible contact.

I left a beautiful divot. It was an impressive divot. It was a professional divot. You would have loved my divot.

The ball, however, went 10 yards on the ground before it came to rest just past the tee box.  

I learned a valuable lesson that day.

No matter how brand-spanking-new your equipment is it can only make you incrementally better.   

         New technology will help you hit the ball farther
                  - but not that much farther.

         New technology will help you hit the ball a little straighter
                  - but not that much straighter. 

What will make you better? Take lessons and practice. 

Now I concentrate on practice.

I don't wait for miracles. If you're waiting for the right brush or pencil, don't.

Pick up your pencil and draw. Botch it up a thousand times. Persevere. 

Remember, "A poor workman blames his tools." 

I once saw a guy draw with an Oreo cookie and it was pretty darn good.

Make a mark people will remember.   

Until next week, I wish you peace.

---