Art & Inspiration You ever get burnt out from a project?

I'm burned out at the moment. I'm almost ready to sell it all and buy a soulless modern toy. Almost.

 

Having spent several years on a scratch built hotrod project only to lose interest in it before completion are over. I now limit to working winter months only. Start in september and drive it in April. Spend the summer months driving it then work in it again, upgrading and developing it over the next winter. My days of grafting year after year on the same project without even being able to drive it are over.

 

I Put Them Behind The Shop Until They Apologize...

 

As a side note pops and I are loading up the end of the month and heading to Regina Saskatchewan to see a group of hotrod friends and take in there indoor car show. It will be fun to spend time with him and friends.

 

I’ve spent all winter patching a 27 touring body back together and haven’t gotten tired of it yet. My inspiration is the threat of house work season coming soon, when I can’t really work on cars. I want to have the body in one solid piece before then.

 

I hit another form of burnout. After over 40 years in th chassis building business i reached a point where I didn't enjoy the job any more. I built my last customer chassis a little over a year ago. I am currently trying to get going on my own chassis for another 32 roadster. I have virtually everything bought and paid for to do the car to the point where it's ready for paint and interior. I'll hopefully have that project done by end of summer???????

 

Glad to know that I am not the only one fighting burnout right now, between work and winter it has been a fight to do any thing on the 58. Every time I think I am making progress it's another set back. Been more interested in other things, But I am starting to fill motivated again plan to get the shop door open and do some work this week, I keep telling myself it's something I like to do not have to do.

 

I feel it. Never ending battle. Had my ride for 39 years, I guess I'm getting too old and crippled up to fight.

 

I find the best way to get over feeling burned out if to force myself to work on something…it gets me motivated again.

 

It sounds to me like your getting close to getting the car finished.

The last few months of a build are always the worst for me. Its the time when all those annoying little things have to be done that seem to take forever, but it doesn't really look like anything got accomplished after they were done. Then every time you get one done, two more show up you forgot about. All you really want is for it to get done, but there are those annoying things you know have to be done, and another month has passed.

When the frustration kicks in, everything seems to gang up on you. The best thing you can do is walk away for a couple days. Spend time with your dad, go fishing, go to a movie, go to a car show, go play cards, or board games, anything except going into the garage, for 2-3 days. Just flat, stay away for a few days.

Then take a day, and sit and make a list of everything that needs to still be done, every detail, every pain in the butt thing that still needs to be done. Put the things on that list in the order they need to be done in. Tape the list to the windshield. When the next item on the list has been completed (and not before its completely done), check it off, or draw a line through it to show yourself it has been done. As things are checked (or crossed) off, move to the next thing and repeat. I recommend that at the end of that week (or whatever time frame works for you, not longer then a month though), you look at the list of checked (or crossed) off things. You know you are getting closer. If you think of something else that needs to be done, add it to the list. Seeing things are really getting done provides more motivation to keep moving forward.

I'm not sure I could finish anything these days without that list of crossed off things. If the last annoying thing that got done was just another endless day, I'd throw in the towel. The scratched off list shows you things are getting done, they don't hide in the blur of "working on the project". When someone asks how your doing on your project, you have a list of completed things to show them.

It is supposed to be a hobby, taking a few days off to do something completely different has always reenergized me, just can't too many days off in a row, or that lazy boy chair will grab you.

 

On some level, Every Day. Goal setting has some negative side effects. We are always one missing piece from stopping our progress. Keeping multiple projects going at once at least allows me to switch to a different set of problems. Elderly parents are a challenge and even worse when the project you are on has been entwined with their participation. Don’t be too hard on yourself because the project is optional. Your parents aren’t. I worked a lot with my Dad. His dementia destroyed his life abilities and my free time. The projects waited and I have been able to pick at them around helping Mom.

 

When I was still working, I only had weekends to work on my stuff, and if there was anything home or family related going on, I didn’t have that. I made progress, just not as fast as I wanted. Then all the stupid Covid shutdowns started, and I wouldn’t touch my car at all for a year. I was still in debt and afraid my trucking job was going to get shut down, so I was scared to spend any money on anything non essential. I dit a few little things that didn’t cost anything, but mostly it sat. I nearly put it up for sale I was so frustrated. Might say I was burnt out by not doing anything. Then all that shit got more normal, I kept working the whole time, got out of debt, and began to enjoy life again. Since I retired, I’ve been able to spend more time working on the car, and every little thing gives me a sense of accomplishment. Got one or two small things left to do, then I’ll get to enjoy driving it and going places again. The big job of body work and paint will wait, I’m rocking it as a survivor for a while….

 

I suffer from depression after my whole heart issue thing and I've got 3 projects going at once, get aggravated on one I spend some time on another, this worked out until winter hit because only one is in a heated area. So it's a mental challenge to get out in the garage and tackle a task that I'm fed up with doing anyhow and I can't runaway from it by jumping projects like in the summer.
2 yrs ago I was hoping to have the Henry J running by my birthday in May, guess what, I'm hoping again for this year lol
I refuse to cut corners and shortcut the process by hot wiring and using a drip can down the carbs just for the sake of saying it's running, I want it done right if I'm going to do it. I look at the list and nothing on it is a 5 minute job, plus to do one item another item has to be done prior so you can't even cheat and do the easiest of the two to catch a break.
Believe me, I fully understand how people get burnt out, but all you can do is trudge forward to try and get back to the easy life.

 

My problem is the weather. I retired last May, but I am a spring and fall kind of guy. Winter comes and the cold and damp weather sets into the old muscles and joints and I can't get motivated. then summer and humidity calls and After 50 years of working in construction and automotive my lungs don't like hot humid air and since spring and fall seem to get shorter every year. I have a narrow window of productive opportunities! lol Fortunately the shop is heated and air condition, but then the utility bills cut into the Hot Rod fun money. So, I have come to realis that retirement and free time is wasted on old wynnie people. lol but this week i can't. Put off changing a stall converter, so gun to head and tools in hand. lets get it done. lol Larry

 

Don't do that...........ever.
You never get satisfaction from what you own But what you do!

My advice [if you can get away for a week] .......Jump on a cruise ship with your missus for 7 days
This is way cheaper than a psychiatrist or marriage counselling.

And if you get bored ......you can "re-invent the wheel" on your project and step off with new enthusiasm

 

Not really burned out but kicked in the ass health wise a few times.
I had several projects completed and a half dozen more either on deck or in varying stages of completion when I retired in 2001. Since then, I have sold off my trucks, motorcycles, boats, etc.. I gave my son my long owned hopped up early Barracuda, sold a friend my prized off topic sports car and did a general downsizing of all awaiting projects.
That kinda took the pressure off and made the kept projects more enjoyable without having unrealistic expectations. The desire to design, build, create and collect needed parts never subsides and I find it an absolute necessity to have an on-going project in the garage, for the times when the urge to be productive arises.
I just don't feel the urgency or need to meet deadlines but still have modest goals. Most of my longtime car guy friends that are still kicking can relate.

 

No…but I do get a case of analysis paralysis now and then

 

Happened to me many times. I find that an evening of watching everybody else enjoying their completed tri-5's on youtube makes me want to get crackin' on it again. I try to keep Puddin's motto in the back of my mind: Sittin' on your ass won't finish your project.

 

I think a lot of guys are missing the obvious here. The reason seems fairly straight forward. The stress of what is happening with Dad will be taking a toll, and that's perfectly natural, but not as easy to deal with as some may think.

One day at a time @rusty rocket , and make the time you spend with him count. Talk to him about finishing the build. I bet he doesn't mind, but appreciates spending the time with you. Take it easy man.

 

Now you are talking! That will get the fire re-kindled in you. I was gonna say take some time off from it and go to some shows and swap meets when they start up again. But this is way better.

 

327 SBC project
Hello,

My wife and I were in the hot rod era and our low key lifestyle fit right in place. An old car, various road trips weekly, being by ourselves for a wonderful exploration time in our lives as 20 somethings, all worked out for us. Despite some roadblocks, we managed to get through it all. Being married pleased our parents and the certificate meant something to them. It legitimized our being together so much during our college’s final years and then some.

We were fine with two daily drivers, a red 65 El Camino and a funky 62 Corvair. They were paid for and that allowed us to have extra money for various road trips and get away adventures. But, the inclination to get our own business going was a little hectic. We wanted to be our own bosses and what we did was to answer to our own choices. So, it started.

I was in the middle of setting up the apartment dark room and it was a bone of contention back then as the bathroom was the only self enclosed room with running water. But, it was extremely small and confining. The shower was one of a kind and we could not stand straight up by ourselves, but it did have a built-in bench to sit down. We had painted it yellow and the small window could be covered to make it light tight for processing. It also had a red light.

That light was laughable at the time. In the beginning, I had to replace the single white bulb with a red light for photo developing and prints. So, I did that almost daily. It got old fast, so we agreed to just keep the red lightbulb in place. The uncovered window offered plenty of light during the day. But, at night, my wife had to squint to see her tooth brush and stuff with the red light on and shining as dark as it was supposed to be. But, we both worked with what we had.

The business was bringing in money and the photo stuff began to expand, out growing the small bathroom. Now, I had to start building my larger darkroom in the small garage. Making it light tight was no problem. But, I needed a table large enough for the trays and enlarger set up.

Jnaki

All through this beginning process, we both got the idea of a hot rod station wagon, like a woody or two door v8 wagon. It was hard to secure the photographic paraphernalia in the back of the El Camino. It certainly would not fit in small Corvair. So, the search was on for another “business” end vehicle. We found the project Ford Sedan Delivery that fit our purposes and began to work on that to get it running safely and be reliable to take us all over So Cal and beyond for our stories and explorations.

But roadblocks were ahead with the start up garage in its early stages and the sedan delivery giving me too many late night hours. Two things necessary for us and both were hitting us in the head with roadblocks and difficult times. We only had a certain amount of time and both projects at the same time were giving us fits.

So, we decided to sell the sedan delivery and get a “normal” 2 door station wagon. A Nomad would do nicely, but was out of reach for us. No other station wagons were within our budget, either. So, after weeks of deliberation, we decided to have others work on our sedan delivery while we could do no more by ourselves. Now, we could concentrate on setting up the garage with the proper, simple way of a good working environment. "One thing leads to another..."as we heard many years later...

In looking back, we enjoyed the 327 powered 1940 Ford Sedan Delivery that ended up as reliable as any car we ever owned. It took us all over the place without a worry about stoppages or repairs. It was a secure vehicle for our photo equipment and other necessary items when traveling. Out of sight, out of mind when we had breakfast, lunch or dinner away from the locked hot rod. When we camped out it was fine. When we stayed in a motel, then some of the camera stuff came indoor with us.

Thank goodness, we decided to work with the problems and learned to be more relaxed. We learned to work out those little problems before they got too large and overpowering. If and when they got too overpowering, then we were barking up the wrong tree and moved on in life’s adventures. YRMV

 

It's better to burn out
Than to fade away
My my
Hey hey

 

I bought a 51 Styline Deluxe in 2008. Worked on it for a few months, then life happened. In Laws moved in and passed on. Son got married and divorced. Tried to go back to the 51 but just didn’t feel the same forward it when I bought it. Considered selling many times. Even cleaned up the work area in hopes of inspiration. Son married again ( a daughter-in-law I love) and had twin boys. It took one one of the twin boys ( now 6) to ask me if he can help. Then asked if he can have the car when he is old enough to drive. Good news, I found my inspiration. So you never know where or what direction inspiration may strike. Just hang in there.

 

I did get burned out on an off topic car I sold 10 years ago, just wasn’t supposed to be as big of project as it turned out to be. My current project is moving along, but slowed down due to winter. Need a heated shop. In the summer we works summer hours, 4- 9hrs and 4 on Friday. Friday afternoons are pretty productive and I get a lot done.

 

I have a couple projects. I know many here say to stay focused on one. When I get fed up with one, I go play with one of the others. It keeps things from getting stale and as long as I see progress it keeps me going

 

What is the point of finishing a car project? I've gone to every car event I've wanted to without one since 1961, work on it until it isn't fun then do something else you have neglected to do.

 

Thanks for the kind words.

 

Funny boy here (me) missed the part about your dad. That explains a lot. May I kindly urge you to find a couple of days to do absolutely nothing except to relax and allow yourself to catch up a little bit. And again, whenever you feel the need and you're able to. Good luck with everything.

 

Every time I feel burnout I back away for a while. What usually motivates me again is coming home after a car show or a swap meet. A good friend of mine always reminds me that at least I have that project car there when I do get my ass in gear instead of letting it go and dealing with the regret. There are always the guys also that bite off more than they chew in regards to their skills and costs in building and even maintaining a vehicle. An old hot rodder whom I learned a lot from said that once you feel a car becomes more of a chore than an enjoyable hobby it's time to hang it up. I guess that applies to a lot of things in life.

 

25 years ago I totally lost interest in this thing and it sat as a pile. 2 years ago I got fired up again and now I can't wait to finish, weird huh.