Figure out the approximate dimensions of the lure before selecting a piece of wood. The wood should be a little bigger than the lure so you have room to carve its shape and sand it flat. If you happen to get one that is much bigger than the lure, cut it down to a smaller size with a saw or carving knife. Home improvement stores and lumber retailers carry all sorts of wood. You may also be able to find some carving blocks at craft supply stores. Most home improvement stores also carry all the other supplies needed to make a lure, although you can also order supplies online. If you're using a template, place the template on the wood and trace around it with a pencil. Otherwise, draw it freehand. Take your time to make sure it matches how you want the finished lure to look. You can usually sketch the outline along one edge of the wood and then cut the lure as a single piece. The outline is what you will follow when trimming the wood into shape. Make sure it is neat and accurate. Prepare for the dust and fragments kicked up during the cutting process. Put on ear protection as well to deal with loud saws. Consider working outdoors or in a well-ventilated spot to eliminate the amount of debris you have to contend with. Also, keep other people out of the area until you are done. You won't need all of this gear if you're using a carving knife. Instead, switch to a pair of damage-resistant carving gloves or thumb guards. Put the dust mask back on while painting the lure to guard against fumes. While you can use a carving knife at this point, using a saw is much faster. Scroll saws and band saws are made for cutting small, irregular shapes like a lure. Plan on keeping the lure a little bigger than you intend the finished product to be. This will leave you with a little margin of error as you finish it. Try leaving an extra 18in (0.32cm) of wood around the pattern so you don't inadvertently make the lure too small. If you prefer using a carving knife, gradually whittle away the wood around the outline. Move the blade away from your body so you don't inadvertently cut yourself. Now you can begin whittling the lure in earnest. First, make sure the lure is the shape you desire before beginning to create smaller details. Remove the excess wood to round the lure's body into its intended shape. If you're making a popper, cut the front end so it curves inward. You can etch patterns and designs into the wood if you wish. It isn't necessary, but some people enjoy customizing their lures with fins, scales, and other details. To make the groove in a popper lure, try using a rotary tool like a Dremel. It wears away the excess wood, which can be easier than trying to cut the shape. Once you have created the lure's approximate shape, refine it with sandpaper. Rub the entire lure with firm, consistent pressure, but pay particular attention to the rough edges. The front and back edges may still be a little sharp. Smooth them out as much as possible to shape the lure. Double-check that the lure is at the proper size you need. You can sand it to remove any excess wood left over from your initial design. You could also use a tool like a belt sander to more quickly finish the lure. Keep in mind that finishing a small lure with a big belt sander is a little trickier than finishing it by hand, but it is doable. Use fine or very fine-grit sandpaper to remove any remaining rough surfaces or imperfections. Go over the entire lure once again until it's as smooth and consistent as you desire. If you're still not satisfied with the finish, treat it again with a higher-grit sandpaper, such as 180-grit. When finishing a lure, always start with the lower-grit sandpaper first. Lower-grit sandpapers are coarser than higher-grit ones. Drill directly through the center of the lure's nose or its groove if you're making a popper. Turn the lure around and make a second hole through the back end. Then, flip the lure over so its bottom edge is face up. Drill a hole about of the way from the front end. Refer to your template when positioning the pilot holes. They can vary depending on the type of lure you are making. Most lures have at least 2 hooks. Plan on putting one on the back end and another near the front. If your lure is long, consider making another hole of the way from the back end for an additional hook. If you wish to add weight to the lure, such as for a sinking lure, drill additional holes as needed. Many times, you can drill about of the way from the end and fill it with weight later.

Summary: Purchase wood that is at least 12in (1.3cm) bigger than the size of the lure. Sketch the shape of the lure on the sides of the wood. Put on a dust mask and protective glasses when cutting wood. Use a scroll saw or band saw to cut along the pattern lines. Carve out the shape of the lure with a knife. Sand down the wood with 80-grit sandpaper. Finish smoothing out the lure with 120-grit sandpaper. Drill 316in (0.48cm) pilot holes for the lead and hooks.

You may exert a lot of energy wrestling with your shortcomings, but this only keeps you stuck. Take a moment to label what the issue is and sit with the knowledge that your reaction to this issue is within your power. For instance, if you feel defeated about your low income, admit that aloud. Say, "My salary affects the way I view myself. I feel helpless." Now, empower yourself by imagining that only you can do anything about the situation. You might say something like, "I am the only one who can improve my income." Remember that you don't have to be perfect. Learn to accept your weaknesses and shortcomings if they're things you can't change, and find ways to work around them. Acceptance is all about empowerment, so take a look at your shortcomings and decide if you want to work on them or just leave them be. If you want to change, devise a plan using SMART goals to improve in these areas. Your goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound. Avoid vague goals like "I want to be happy." A good SMART goal might be: "I want to go up for a promotion to improve my income or apply for higher-paying jobs. I will do this by the end of the month." Try not to overwhelm yourself only take on one shortcoming (like income) at a time. Some shortcomings can't be changed, and that's OK. For example, if you think your height is a shortcoming, that's something you can't change. Instead, work on accepting that part of yourself and turning it into a positive. Notice negative or self-defeating language and start to question its validity. Ask yourself questions: Is there evidence to prove this claim? Does that statement make you feel bad about yourself? Is there another more empowering way to look at the situation? For example, you may think "I will never get better at the guitar." Change the self-talk to something more realistic, like "If I practiced more, I can get better at the guitar. But, right now, my guitar-playing is not a top priority." This revision helps you view situations more realistically and from a position of self-acceptance (i.e., "I'm okay with not being a great guitar player because it's not my top focus" BUT "I could be better, if I wanted to."). Become more aware of when you are comparing yourself to others. When this happens, go back to your strengths list and remind yourself of all the ways you are uniquely gifted. Typically, you are making comparisons when negative self-talk happens. For example, maybe you criticized your own guitar-playing after hearing a friend play. Spot the negative, critical, and judgmental people in your life and start spending less time with them. These are the people who make a lot of comparisons, gossip, or focus on the negative aspects of situations. Others can get inside your head and undermine your ability to be self-accepting. Getting distance from negative people can help improve your self-acceptance.
Summary: Take ownership for your shortcomings. Set realistic goals if you want to change. Challenge negative self-talk. Drop the comparisons and see that you are unique. Remove toxic or negative people from your life.