**DISCLAIMER: I am not a writer. I am a construction worker. I deal with concrete and spreadsheets. I type to fast for my own good and spellcheck is my best friend. Stick with me as I work on my writing style and we will figure this out together.**

This… Is not a success story. Not yet anyway. This is the beginning.

Welcome to my first blog post. Which I have (as a total rip off) named “Do What You Can”.

Casey Neistat, a wildly popular Youtube content, and film creator, recently released a film titled “Do What You Can’t”. I highly suggest you give it a watch. In the film, he discusses the idea of doing the things that people have told you that you can’t accomplish. Not a new idea by any means. But the way he expresses the sentiment speaks to me. I have been watching his films for a while and he really embodies this mentality. If you haven’t seen any of his videos I recommend you take some time and give his Youtube channel a visit.

On that note, here is my take on that same idea. It is just a little bit different and probably in no way unique. But it’s my take. From the position that I am in, the place that I live, the viewpoint I have in my life right now. It may change in the future; it will likely change in the future. I hope it changes. As I grow and learn both in my craft and in life, I hope I change. I believe the old saying goes something like, “when you stop learning and growing, you start dying.”

DO WHAT YOU CAN.

I have always wanted to start a woodworking business. Plain and simple. Kids growing up have dreams of fighting fires or being a policeman. When I was a kid my dad built toys and other items for me and my brother and I developed a love for the skill of woodworking. There is something about the art of creating objects ourselves, the things we interact with on a daily basis, that fascinates me.

Like all good fathers, my dad worked hard. He still works hard. Harder than I think I ever have. He has, through hard work, provided me with an understanding that with hard work you can obtain the things you want in life.

Following in my father’s footsteps I went to school (where I admittedly should have paid more attention). I somehow managed to stumble into an education and I found love. I met the most wonderful friends that I still have to this day. And was exposed to so many new things that this small town Texas kid never even knew existed.

I graduated from Colorado State University’s School of Construction Management, the best in the country at the time. That degree has and will continue to provide me with a skill set key for a major industry. I have used my degree to work for several construction firms both in an office and in the field. I love what I do. Building things and seeing things built grants me a sense of accomplishment. I train new estimators to do what I do and love the art of teaching.

But if you haven’t noticed. Nothing in the paragraph above has anything to do with woodworking. In all honesty at the end of the day after a full-time job, it doesn’t leave a lot of time for woodworking. That is where the motto that I am trying to embrace comes into play.

DO WHAT YOU CAN.

It rings out in the back of my mind. Over and over again. My wife and I recently moved from my long term home town of Coppell, Texas to the small town of Boyd, Texas. Our move came with a massive shop building. It really is every maker’s dream. Plenty of space to work and move about. You will see more pictures and videos of it to come.

There is just one drawback to all that space. A complete and utter lack of tools. I am just a hobbyist. It is a work in progress. My skills are a work in progress. And that’s ok. I am working to do what I can. There may be others out there like me. Know that you are not alone. I watch some awesome people through Youtube and social media. Guys like Bob Clagett and Alec Steel. Guys who have worked hard and built themselves large followings. They started somewhere. Rather than seeing them and thinking “they have it all figured out, I will never get there”. Look at them as role models.

I am going to start where I am.

DO WHAT YOU CAN.

I tell myself more often than I care to admit, “you don’t have to start out wanting to own a furniture company with tons of clients”. Goals are a powerful force. Setting goals and working to achieve them is crucial. But not all goals have to be in the stars. Set goals that push you to work hard. If you set a goal of being a bit better at something each week, or learning a new skill each month. That is time worthy. As long as your goals force you to learn and grown then they are never set too low. Dream big. Set goals. Reach them and set more. Do that over and over again. And someday, maybe… just maybe. My woodworking shop will look like the dream I have in my head.

I have this feeling, that the worst thing we could ever do is not try. I may fail. But there is an old saying that goes something like “ if you never even try you have already failed”.

So again, welcome. I hope you enjoy your visit. I hope that we can learn and grow together.

Thanks,
Blake Simons

(PS: My wonderful wife Kellsie tells everyone we meet that I should always come with a disclaimer attached. But that is a story for another time.)