Distractions From Scale Modeling
ByWe all have distractions that keep us away from our work bench and building of models. Many use the excuse of not having sufficient time to sit down to build. I’ve used this excuse too! Sometimes it is valid, then again there are times it is just a convenient excuse. Before you get upset that I am criticizing anyone for making excuses, I’m not.
Our lives are full, full of things that take up our time…our jobs…our family commitments…our social obligations and sleep. There are those things in life which also consume much of our time that have little, or no tangible value. I’ll admit that television is probably one of the easiest distractions to succumb to. How many hours have you sat and vegged in front of one? Were you doing anything productive while watching?
I cheat and watch TV while working away in my workshop…in reality I start to watch something good, but find it soon serves as nothing more than background ambiance. However I do prefer a good war or aviation themed flick to keep me inspired to keep building.
Then there are the other hobbies we might have. For me of late it has been photography. I’ve always been a shutterbug but my newest digital camera provides greater capacity…on par with my 35mm SLR. So I’ve been taking advantage of the birds, animals and scenery around me. In fact I’ve been asked to start publishing and selling some of my images. My favorite subject is and probably always will be aircraft.
Did I mention the Internet yet? It can be addicting! I’m here typing away writing this on my blog…one of several that I contribute to. I also spend a couple hours reading through the various modeling forums contributing and commenting where I can. There are so many and so little time! That’s said for models too…so do they go hand in hand? Yes they can if you moderate your time spent on each. The internet has a wealth of reference resources.
During the past year I have used the excuse of not enough time to be at the bench doing what I enjoy. Being an entrepreneur my workday isn’t a 9-5 job. It can be as short as a few hours or as long as…well until one can’t go any further and pushes away from the desk. You work until the job is done. I wouldn’t trade it for a 9-5 gig…I enjoy what I am doing and the commute to and from work is more enjoyable. 
Probably the worst distraction from modeling is a form of modeling burn out. It’s when you get the feeling like you want to quit modeling…forever. You’re not able to even look at your workbench it has lost its appeal. You find yourself contemplating a liquidation of the stash to rid yourself of the “burden” it creates. For the most part these spells pass…sometimes it may take anywhere from a few days to a few years, but in my experience it does pass.
For the New Year I have made one resolution, spent more time at the workbench building models. In the process I will photograph, video and develop more useful tutorials for others who need them. It is another way of getting the rewards associated from scale modeling…helping others.
Time management is difficult with our lives full of distractions, but if one can prioritize ones life, those distractions can be minimized. You’ll probably find that you will have time for things that are more important to your happiness. Try to keep family first and scale modeling high on your list. Why not introduce your family and friends to it too! It is fun and a great way to relieve stress associated with the daily grind life brings.
Happy Modeling!
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