Think im getting burned out... kinda OT

When I was in my teens, one of the things I was very interested in was painting cars - top-end type work. I went to who I heard was one of the best in SoCal (guy named Pat Santini) - and offered to work for free if he'd teach me to paint - guess he took pity on me and couldn't say 'No'. What a mentor and a great person! Anyway, I was in college and was really torn between going into painting and cusomizations full time - or sticking with school and getting into something else. I was making very good money on custom paint jobs (while going to school) - had my own faciliy to paint in, all the good equipment (Binks #7's with Sharpe pots ).

What made up my mind was looking at my friend Pat and all the body/paint men that I knew - most were in their 40's/50's/60's . . . and the dust, chemicals and **** that is in paint had really worked them over. I decided that as much as I liked painting, that the environment would take its toll on my life - as it had the others that I knew. We all wore masks in the booth, but the **** we inhaled on a daily basis was bad news.

I put my hotrods down for 25 or so years (and regretted it) . . . was busy in my other business. At least I didn't sell my cars - thanks Joe Reath! I'm back into my hotrods again - but only because I have achieved a level of success in the software business that makes this possible once again.

I get the itch sometimes to say F___ It and get out of software and back into cars, but I know it does not make any financial sense. Software is my job and I'm very p***ionate about it . . . but my cars are on my mind every day.

There are no easy ways to make money, to create a successul business, to grow a company - it is all hard work, sweat equity and relentlessness. If you really are not dedicated to what you do, somebody else will do it better and you'll probably go out of business at some point.

If you're really p***ionate about cars, painting, etc -- stick to it . . . but don't think it will ever be easy . . . or always make you happy. There will be good days, good times . . . and bad days and bad times . . . just like life. Find a ballance between work and play that is reasonable - but enables you to grow and become successful. As you're just starting out . . . your personal hobbies will probably suffer a bit . . . just like mine did. You'll not have the time or $$$ to do everything - so always keep your priorities straight, you'll be glad you did.

I know this didn't help a damn bit - I need to get the hell off this thread! Best of luck!

 

I have to agree with everyone that stated "there is no right answer" I've been in the automotive industry for the last 15 years (I'm 30 so I have a lot left to go) and I've hit highs and lows. I've always loved it though in some form, I started working on vintage race cars, then moved to crew cheif on a formula atlantic team and got burned out after two years of never being home. then I moved back to the vintage race cars for a bit before going to my current employment which is product (primarily suspension) development for a company that build aftermartket parts for Audi's. I've been there going on five years and I feel like I'm about at the end of my rope there, so I'm looking at side stepping a bit and following my artistic side at a ornamental fab shop that a good friend of mine runs. we've talked quite a bit and just need to hammer out some details, although the timing with the economy isn't really awesome right now.
Through all that I've had projects, most of them took longer than I wanted, but it was one of those things where I only worked on them when I wanted, when I didn't want to, I tarped them. When you Work hard and long you really need to enjoy your free time, no matter what that involves. I know you want to see your projects through, but if you work on them in vain you wont enjoy them when you're done.... Now me,,, I figured I didn't have enough personal tourture so I decided to get back into racing and bought a non winged sprinter! I swear, I'm my own worst enenmy!

 

im also 23, i had a shop for 2 years a few years back, it didnt last due to bunk niebors and tweekers. i moved away and got another shop {too much stuff for a garage}. i work 40-50 hours a week doing collision repair now, and i come home alot and im tired, but a cold one and a rolled one gives me a second wind. dont hesitate, just do it. youll be happier working on your own pride and joy.

 

lol

 

I think ive decided to put a for sale sign in the lawn of the shop. Between health risks, no benefits ever, no free time, keeping the lights on 80hours a week and not being in a buisiness or location that will probably ever pay off...i think its time. Im sure ill have kids and a family within the next few years, then what do i do also...Theres gona be more than just work to life. Thank you to everyone that has given advice on this thread i really appreciate it. Brandon

 

Best of luck in wherever your adventures take you! If you're really going to change what you do and/or where you do it, take some time to really thnk it through and maybe even try a few things while you still have your current work. It is a WHOLE lot easier to think about new things and even explore them - when you can still pay the bills. Having an income will give you the ability to make good decisions and not just jump to the next thing that comes your way.

You're young and have a whole life ahead of you - so given what you say you don't like about your current work (health risks, benefits, free time, opportunity), then WRITE down what you want and in what priority and come up with an actual PLAN as to what steps you're going to take (and when) to change your life. Change can be a ***** . . . or your best friend, it is all related to how you go about it. Decide how much risk you're willing to take and dilligently work toward your new dreams -- even if you fall down, get up and keep the course.

Also - if you're interested in higher education (which isn't for everybody), then get back to school and set your sites on a degree that will enable you to seek the types of jobs you want. There are no guarantees with a piece of paper, but it does show people that you had a goal, stuck to it and came out the other side - says a lot to people like me. If you do go back - never quit until you have a degree . . . it will pay for itself many times over.

Best of luck . . . let us know where this all takes you . . .

Dale

 

Pete Santini was over at my shop Saturday - He and his dad are definitely two of the greatest to ever pick up a gun, and he'll tell you all about burn out too! He has painted numerous cars for me over the years but more important we've been friends for 30+ years.
No question about the Great Person part too.

 

That's why i havent gone full time at any shop, but in the future i probably will

Then again take some time off get your own projects done, then come back to it with some good customers and an at***ude that other people are paying you to build the hot rods of your dreams that you cant afford yourself

 

Listen to dragrcr50 he hit the nail on the head. what I would add is If you are to busy and don't have enough time raise your prices. And I mean RAIES them.Learn to seperate the tire kickers from the customers. they take a lot of your time. Go out and so******e with people you enjoy.I too had my home behind my business bigest mustake I made.Take the time recharge the batteries. (Go Hunting)

 

The advice to leave at a specific time and keep regular hours that do not change is good. Eating lunch away from the shop is important too.
I spent over 40 years as a mechanic /machinist. (I can hardly believe it is that long but it is!) I managed to build a few cars and have some fun in my career. At first i was overrun and it seemed hopeless like you do right now but once I learned NOT to work late or NOT to work saturdays except on my own stuff and never broke that rule the pain went away and I thoroughly enjoyed my career. As a tradesman we are predisposed to help people and find it hard to say no but as a person we dont have that much to give away so one has to learn to protect their private time. A first people will give you flak but eventually they will understand that it is pointless to bother you after hours or on sat because you are doing your thing. Eventually word will get out and it will work for you. Takes about 6 months. Protecting your private time is really important. If you do you will find your projects will get done too. Been there and remember the frustration. All the best to you.
Don

 

Great advice!

 

Raising the prices at the shop made a HUGE difference in my quality of life.

#1- it doesn't mean You cannot take care of buddies and such. it simply means that it will do an effective job of reducing the work You don't want.
and by that I mean the time wasters. The Guy who wants the world but can barely afford a big Mac- I am not looking down on anyone, But You gotta get paid well enough that at the end of the weekYou don't feel like it was a waste of time. Took me a long time to figure it out.-and at the end of the day, My customers get a better product, because in the back of Your mind, You know it had better be worth thier money!

#2- Projects. Where do I begin...My current project is a HUGE undertaking. I decided around 2 months ago to work on it a little each night- be it 15 minutes or a couple of hours. now I find myself working on it all day every Saturday. ( on top of a couple hours a night.) Get to making the changes You want to make! I am sure You have noticed that Your level of seriousness increases as You get deeper into a project, be it Your or someone elses. You gotta want it.

#3- and I can't stress this enough. If You are spending every day at Your shop with 0 outside influence and 0 socilization in The car scene, prepare for a stagnant situation. Those Car shows and cruise nights offer alot more than a couple of beers...They offer inspiration. any car, no matter how bad ***, or cobbled together has at least one very clever idea on it You can learn something from. be it serious modification, or a cool idea for a shift knob...whatever. You have to be there to see it. even the really bad ones. (heh...some of thier inspiration is as simple as what NOT to do.)
Take some time to remember what made You have the BAD idea of opening Your own place to start with.

#4- another biggie. I don't know who You are working with, or who works with You, But a good crew is not only hard to find, but an absolute must for a good working shop. This Year, we reduced our staff from 9 guys, down to 3. (and a painter...different story) While I miss some of the guys...I also see where having a couple of them gone has done us a world of good. it's hard to build and run quality control on 9 dudes, trust me. it could be 9 Chip Fooses in the bays, and I guarantee You 1 of them is in the middle of executing a bad idea. If You arent cracking up a couple times a week, fire everyone and reduce the staff to the core. You will thank me and get this- You WILL make more money.

#5 Drag Racing rules. Go get Your guts vibrated.

#6. **** helps.

 

dragrcr50's right. Set short-term goals too as well as a schedule. I don't mean, "April 15th-Car's Finished" I mean like, "This Saturday, swap intake".
The schedule drag spoke of is the best way to maintain your rhythm and setting independent small goals satisfies your need for accomplishment.
So with the schedule you will actually get out there (and not burn out, cuz it's not every night) and with the small goals you will actually see things take shape and feel good about making headway.
Like the gears in our government, turn slowly, but keep turning.
Now, from the business point of view, LUX BLUE is right on the money as well. Only you know your particular situation, but both of those are great starts.
Cheers!
Jef

 

I know it's been said before... but put a car cover over your own projects and force yourself not to look at 'em for a month. It worked for me when I used to get burnt out. Try to get into other stuff... or just force yourself to read a non automotive related book.

Although... with the business, my "real job", getting married, and having NO spare time, I CHERISH the time I get to spend with my rides lol...

Good luck man, thing's will be ok.

 

This really helps me!!!

 

nice

 

What, da stude ain't buff enough to do it on the pavement?..

 

It does great on the pavement, if you like wheel hopping and busted fillings!