Physical mistakes involve things that you have done yourself, such as bang your elbow on the door jam, broken a piece you are working on, or perhaps chipping a tool. We take these sorts of mistakes in stride. We know that is bound to happen sooner or later, and while maybe not totally prepared, we know what we have to do to over come it.
Mental mistakes are a little harder to pin down. It is that which we do to ourselves, that had we had the time to think about, we probably could have avoided. This would include such actions as cutting something too short, or reversing numbers in your head due to fatigue. These types of mistakes are harder for us to overcome, simple because we are the only ones at fault.
For me, it has always been the mistakes that I struggle with. Call it second guessing if you want, but I am sure I am not alone. When it comes to the types of art I create, it strikes even closer to home. A great piece and a mediocre piece are separated by a very thin line, with mental and physical mistakes precariously balanced on that line. It can teeter at any moment, towards any direction. When it does it always causes me to question myself because I know that at any moment "I’m only as good as the thing I’m about to do." The pieces that have come before only indicates how good I was, not how good I am, or where my potential might lead.
I've had a few good pieces wrought with my hands, some I am very proud of. When I start a new one, they are always on my mind, making me wonder if I'll surpass my previous achievements, or if I've already hit my stride and am now on the down slope? I don't ever know the answers until I complete a piece, and it is that personal challenge that keeps me going, full steam ahead, damn the mistakes.
