When you get burned out.....Whats the cure??

Ok guys its kinda like this, I know we all have a deep p***ion for this hobby but have you ever had one of those days or weekends that turns into two days or two weekends in a row when you walked out into the shop and just said awe the hell with it. But never the less in the back of your mind you know you need to get certain **** done and then at the end of the day when you didn't get anything done you feel guilty as sin. Is this burn out? How long should I expect it to last, or what the hell is the cure so I can get my lazy *** back out in the shop and get my project done in time for the RoundUp.....Just thought I'd ask.

 

Join the biggest nation next to urination and join procrastination. Then Thrash for 3-4 days straight just to get it done in time to drive to the show. Nothing feels better and it pays off. Then on the ride home you can work out the bugs and finish later, like a couple weeks later!

 

I always try and repeat Ed Roth's old motto...

"Big Mess Big Success"

 

Make a "to-do" list. Break it down into small items. Write down on a piece of paper twenty or more items that need attention on your car. First time back out in the garage, complete one item on the list. Cross it off. You will have a sense of accomplishment, and a renewed at***ude.

 

It's not a job is it? If this is just your hobby then just work on it when you feel like it. In the grand scheme of life, your car not being at the Round Up means absolutely nothing. If your hobby isn't fun then whats the point?
Now if this is your job, then just like any job I've ever had, sometimes it ****s ***. Work is just another 4 letter word. Some days are better than others.

 

Sounds like you need a to do list .This helps me get over the hump .My last 2 cents

 

Try to attach some realistic dates to the tasks when you make your list. I stress "realistic". You have to have a realistic timeline to get stuff done. It also will help you visualize how long it's really going to take. But a least you will see definite progress to the goal. If you just go willy nilly, there will be no end it sight.... thus the burn out stage.

 

I usually go watch some "mad fabricators" or look threw some old books and mag's. Also go out and start tinkering.......one thing leeds to another and before you know it your mid way into a project.

Blake

 

I wish I could help ya out with the answer man,

Then maybe I could get off my *** also!

I knew the feeling and the guilt ,

It ****s after the time has p***ed and its to late

to get any work done for the day,

you sit their and kick yourself in the *** for being so lazy.....

I just keep hoping it will p*** and tomorrow I'll have the energy to get my **** in gear.

Good luck to ya and I hope tomorrow will be better for the both of us.....

At least the snow should be gone by tomorrow or the next day.....

 

well whats works for me is trying to mix some "fun" aspects of the build into the mix. ****s im burned out now on my 50 pontiac been at the sheetmetal on the car for almost 2 years!!!! so i try and do things that get me out of the tedious weld and grind weld and grind. or things that will make the car look like its farther along!! also if i get up early and get out of the hosue with out getting stuck on the hamb and get to the coffee place im good to go.. beer helps friends help(not to many or ya get nuthin done) and music helps too .

 

Well i just walked back out into the shop again.......I think i will have my dear bride come shovel my *** out of the local pub in a couple hours

 

i hop on my harley and go to disneyland...your not alone , i aint done **** out in my shop in awhile other than rebuild the top end on my shovel ..

 

Im in the same boat with my current project... I normally hit up a good car show or go to a buddys who is motivated who is building something and check it out for a while.. Looking at finished rides or other projects sometimes gets me motivated

 

I watch a hot rod movie such as american graffiti. You just have to think of what inspired you in the first place

 

Buy a new project,,that always gets me motivated ,,,

I don't really think I have ever suffered being burnt out on the hobby and fun of playing with cars,,,,but I have had cars that I got burnt out working on,,,,so I pushed them to the side and started something else,,,works for me! HRP

 

I'm with Dutch on this one. Dragging my Mad Fabricator collection out and spending an afternoon recharging the batteries in front of the tube does it for me. One problem though... Evel I need a new video!!

 

I go out to the airport and listen to the hangar-rats talk about how bummed out they are on their projects that can't/won't/don't fly, have two cups of coffee - cruise the hangar rows - see if there are any warbirds evident. Then I go home, roll up my sleeves and dive back in - helps to have some Beachboys or Ol' Waylon pumping in the background. Since I quit smoking, it's hard to figure out how to "take a break" - I used to just lean on the bookcase, light up and work on NYT crossword puzzles. Now I swig some cold water, and read a car book or two. Another cure is to jump into somethat that DOES run and rip up and down the boulevard a time or two - knotting my hair up so bad it takes 15 minutes to brush/comb the rats out. That's invigorating and quite often gives one the impetus to renew efforts on finishing the job at hand.

dj

 

I pick out one LITTLE thing to do each day, just some really small easy job just to get me out there and 9 out of 10 times I get all wrapped up in it and find myself at the end of the day wishing I had more time to work. On the one day I don't get involved in it at least I got something done and don't feel bad about it.

 

I walk away from it for a bit. Even 10 minutes from the garage can help. Then I break things down into small projects instead of the whole project. Last thing I tell myself is, "this **** doesn't build itself."

 

Call in sick to work ,or use a vacation day, make time for the work you need to do. I think for me the pressure of anything last minute or trying to fix your car at 11pm 'cause you have to get somewhere at 8 am takes all the fun out of old cars.

 

Sometimes it's just best to walk away from it for a few days or even a few weeks. You'll be able to come back to it with a better frame of mind and thinking clearer. Try and keep your hobby as fun and not work.

 

Don't feel like the Lone Wolf....I'm in one of those slump modes with my project. I just decided to work on my '40 Ford and leave the project alone for awhile. But the guys are right about a list. That will help alot to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

 

first. go watch two lane blacktop.
then, watch vanishing point.

Then, look at posts from Mr.ford, Yourkillinmesmalls,B***,and Kiwi kev.

THEN go out to the garage.

 

When it stops being fun, I do something else for a while.

 

Buy another car?

 

Hell,I just sold two cars this week.I guess i will hit the cl***ifieds here and maybe lurk around Ebay tonight

 

That`s a question only you can answer! But it happens to all of us, as others have said. You just might need a break! Ive been on one for over a year now, i really burned out on every aspect, i hardly go to cruise ins anymore, hell i was kinda bored at turkey rr this year, but ive got alot of orginizing done in the shop. Im having more fun right now just making tools, and expanding my tool supply.

I did find it energizing to work on a buddies car though. I chopped his chevy fleetline for him, that got the juices flowing by not stressing on my own car. You`ll get back at it when your ready.

 

Do more hot rod stuff!!

It's like when you go deaf from loud music, you need to play the music louder!!

Guess that probably wont work, but worth a try

 

I find playind led zeppelin and mindlessly cleaning parts or tools for a while gets me calm and focused then I can go back to it.

 

BBobb, Tell the doctor where it hurts, then get a beer, turn the volume up, and have a shot of this,,,,,, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoLUi7uyQyw&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PRDGRGrcZs&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpy3KoW0wb0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2FhDmnboso&feature=related