Maintain Your Tools and Accessories: No craftsmen loves sharpening, calibrating, and cleaning his machines and tools. Just like cleaning the rain gutters or organizing the garage, power tool maintenance can sometimes be glossed over. In the real world, however, maintaining your power tools is a crucial part of any successful wood-shop or woodworking experience. Keep your bits and blades sharp and clean, and remember to check the setup and accuracy of your machines. Make sure your power tools are clean and running properly, and be sure to periodically check any power cords on your tools and throughout the shop. Power cords present a serious safety hazard so be aware of them in the shop. If cords get cut, cracked, or broken - be sure so replace them. Tools that are improperly cared for will impede your productivity, and will generally deliver sub-par results. Ultimately, though it may be a headache to maintain your shop gear, it will save a hundred headaches in the future.

Keep Your Tools and Workspace Organized: Designate a place for each of your tools and accessories throughout the shop. Ideally this space should be near the place the tool or machine is most likely to be used. Always return power tools to their cases and put them back in their appropriate places. This will aid in keeping your shop clean and clutter-free, and help to keep your tools out of harms way. Additionally, aprons aren't just for the kitchen; using a good shop apron is like having an extra hand to hang on to the things you use (and lose) most often. Knowing where your pencil, ruler, square, knife, or measuring tape is can save you a lot of time. Keeping your shop organized is crucial to a safe, effective and successful woodworking session.

Organize and Outline Your Projects: Before you start into your projects it's important to have a detailed plan of action. Draft an outline with intricate details, measurements, and cut-lists. Think through your project up to the very last touch to ensure there are no surprises, no steps forgotten, and the fewest mistakes possible. Because, however, mistakes are inevitable, it's wise to be prepared for them as well. One can still be a perfectionist and also acknowledging that human error is unavoidable. Craftsmen might mill stock for practice pieces, or have extra parts or materials on hand to help alleviate the frustration of error. Being entirely prepared for your project will make it that much more fluid and satisfying to complete.

Compose Yourself and Take it Slow: Rushing your jobs or projects will always result in avoidable and annoying mistakes. Concentrate only on the task at hand remaining always focused as you work. Working carefully and calmly will yield more desirable and more professional results; you may also finish your project faster for being so organized and composed as you work. Personal harm and some very avoidable errors can also occur when working stressed or frustrated. If it becomes too difficult to concentrate on your project - walk away. Allow your thoughts to clear and come back to your project when you can focus. Remember, it's one thing to work fast, and another to work rushed or frustrated; both will end with imperfect results, and a far less than perfect working experience.

Take Notes: Keeping notes of your progress as you work can help you remember the crucial details you might otherwise forget after hanging up your apron for the night. Keep notes of any changes or modifications you make to your project, and perhaps even remind yourself where you left off. Documenting your thoughts and progress will help you complete all of your steps, and save you time when you return to a project.

Remember to always be cautious as you work in the shop, and to treat your tools with care and respect. Practicing these five habits in your shop will maximize your productivity, keep your tools and workspace efficient, and enhance your overall workshop experience.