The 4 Most Basic Steps Every Maker Project Has

How do you eat an elephant?

One bite at a time.

It's a ridiculous question, but has helped me breakdown and compartmentalize projects over the years. When looking at a massive or complicated project, it's easy to get overwhelmed.

Instead, let's look at the 4 most basic steps that every single Maker project has.

Step 1: Cut Big Pieces Into Smaller, Specific Sizes

Every build project will involve taking raw materials and cutting them to size. No way around it.

Step 2: Combine Small Pieces Into Larger Assemblies

You have a bunch of pieces, but that does not make a finished project! Use some glue, nails, screws, tape, or anything sticky to keep everything together the right way long term.

Step 3: Smooth Everything Out

While no one really likes sanding, no one wants splinters. Just put in your headphones, put on a good book, and work through the grits.

Step 4: Apply Finish

Arguably the best step! Whether it's paint, stain, varnish, clear coat, oil, whatever, finish transforms your assemblies into something special you can call complete.

That's it!

You're probably thinking this is an oversimplification, but the magic is that even complicated projects just repeat the same 4 steps in different orders.

Once you "eat the elephant" on a massive project, you'll find that you can section it off into small, "bite sized" pieces that can be tackled easily. The trick is just to keep taking one bite at a time.