how ydo you guys stay focus and on track with your projects?

just like the title says.. how do you guys stay focus and on track with your projects?

It seems last year i was all over the place with the car, somthing that i thought would be a 5 minute fix turned into awhole nother project and what i set out to do never got done.

do you guy make a master list?
have any special order in which you break down and rebuild a car?

 

Yeah.. we have a post similar to this awhile back.

You break it up into smaller projects. Definitely write down a plan of attach and check it off as you go. Easier if you collect all parts needed and then go for it.
Celebrate small triumphs/milestones.. reward yourself.. keep your finished project in your mind! Set deadlines (realistic).

hope it helps.

 

I put everything that I am going to do on a list with a finish date goal, and costs.
By putting dates on it sorta makes you get off your butt.
Dates turn dreams to goals, is what I found.
Check them off as you finish.
Don't throw your list away. Great reference when selling the car or truck.
Good luck!

Bob

 

I make lists. I try to break down the project into small increments, then those increments into a list of specific tasks. For example, I'm currently reassembling my truck after paint. Last weekend's list was very specific. Knowing I had about 4-6 hours available, my goal was to mock up the exhaust system so I could get the muffler shop to bend tubes this week. This coming weekend has a few more hours available so I hope to get the tubes hung and the running boards cut and buffed. Getting them hung would be nice but I'm not going to focus on getting that far. If time is available the following weekend I'll get the boards hung and the grille assembly and front fenders mounted loosely. My daughter's boy friend is coming over to help that weekend.

I find that setting a reasonable short term goal really helps me stay focused. But there really are times when just doing something else for a few weekends recharges my enthusiasm.

 

I look at those guys that don't have a clue, and swear not to be like them. Ain't nothin to it, but to DO IT! Make list of things that need to be done on the car. Take the 5 most important and put them on a separate list. Prioritise THAT list, execute the list and then do another 5 things from the master list.

 

Another thing I like to do is start with the worst thing on the list, making the job easier as it goes along

 

I barely have time one day a week, so I look at it as a reward. If I do my chores, I get to use my welder. If not, I spend saturday afternoon doing laundry.

 

Apparently, I don't stay focused. I haven't touched my own car in a year.

 

I agree with Displayman, put dates next to the items on your list, seems to keep me motivated! Deadlines!

 

1. make a list.
2. obsess over that list.
3. think about that list so much that your wife starts getting crabby.
4. now go spend some money on parts etc.
5. dissappear into the garage on the weekends; 12-14 hours per day.
6. admire your finished work and drink some beer.
7. go back to step 1 and repeat.

 

Try to spend one hour a day , you`ll be surprised what gets done!

 

I try to do one project at a time instead of jumping around. I also try to break the big stuff into smaller jobs and usually do a little at a time.

 

Dakota boy has it almost right...


go spend some money on parts
dissappear into the garage 12-14 hours per day.
drink some beer, admire your finished work and drink some more beer.

 

Spend the time you spend on the computer...on the car.

 

unfortunately oldpaint, i dont have the leasure of working on my car whenever i want. the car is a good 20 min drive from where i live, and i work 6 days a week. like i said i was all over the place, thinking something would be a quick fix and turned into somthing more. i like to jump on the hamb for new ideas and to double check myself before i eff up and make double the work.

 

Patience, discipline, & prayer!

 

I use a build sheet posted on the wall and my motivation comes from the heat and hydro bill. I spend a least one to three hours an evening and 6 to 10 hrs on the weekends. I am very fortunate that my lady is a gearhead as well. She does not work on the cars but can drive the hell out of em...lol If I have to heat the shop then I figure I better be out there doing something constructive.

 

I drink Tiger Blood

 

I make a list of all the major things I want to accomplish on a build, and a few minor things too. I don't always do it in the order I have on the list, but usually so. I try to accomplish some tasks that I consider big steps forward, as it just makes me feel better to see things like the suspension, or engine/trans go in.
When it gets down to the end it's tougher to stay focused, as things seem to go so slow, and sometimes take multiple times to repeat steps until they are just what I wanted. At that time I just try to set smaller goals and make sure I get something done each day.
The toughest part (for me) is when I reach the end. It's great to finish, but then I look around and ask, what now?

 

the only way to get a job done of any kind is to do it. ! when you understand that fact ,you will finish the car pretty fast !

 

It aint easy
You have to know going into it, that these projects are mostly long term.
and will need a level of dedication, and time..be honest with yourself about it from the get go. what your capabilities are, and where you fall short, and what your willing to learn as you go along.
Make a list, have a vision, be willing to alter that vision if necessary dont be too stone set that it hinders your moves forward in the build process.
Think the steps thru , thoughly..and with a plan.
when you feel a burnout coming, step back from it and let it pass. but dont allow it to halt you , keep a creative though process going , even if its doing small things to make it over the hump.
make a pact with yourself to do X amount of work per week, or month, or day depending upon your time available to put into the project..you only know this, and you can only put the time on yourself.
If you have family obligations , take those into conciteration be serious about it and what your time will allow. Im a family first guy, my project has taken a back seat plenty of times for what i feel is a larger priority.
motivate yourself with what you know works for you.
I try to do something at least every 3rd day no matter how small and insignificant it may seem..its forward movement
Some projects take weeks, some take months, some take years..know what your into and if you can dedicate that much time or not

Good luck

 

That 20 minute drive is a problem but if you do like most have suggested and make a list you will have a plan. It's going to take twice as long and cost twice as much as you planned. I seem to rework things about three times before I am happy with the fit. When you go to the car make sure you have the tools and parts you are going to need that day.

The spend the time on the car and not computer comment was really directed at myself. I put the car I am currently working on, on my screen saver to remind me to get to work.

 

That's how I do it! I get just a few hours a week, but if I bust my ass helping my wife around the house, she gets some time for herself and I get mine.

I not only do the list, but I like to use a paint stick to write my "top 5" on the windshield. Then it yells at me as soon as I slide the barn door open!

 

Not to mention, I have ADHD something aweful, but tinkering is the only thing that eases my affliction. I build stuff in my head all day, night, and week. If I don't get something physically done on a pretty regular basis, I can't focus on work, cooking, sex, church, or anything else for that matter! So motivation comes easy for me.

 

I always try to get em running and driving FIRST. This way you can enjoy it while your working on it. I try to set a date, a show, a cruise and go for it! Our motto for getting ready for a race is, even if we had an extra week we would need an extra week?

 

You make a valid point: "...the car is a good 20 min drive from where I live..." When we lived in SoCal, we had a 5 car garage and the convenience of walking out the back door to work in the garage was more than enough to enjoy my projects. We since moved to GA and I now have a 20 min drive to work on the car. I find myself cursing myself for getting into a project. Been looking for a driver to keep my motivated to work on the project. That convience of close proximity to your project is killing my motivation.

 

Always leave something for the next time you work on the car that you absolutely know what to do. When you finish that, the next thing will be easier to start.
Jim

 

It's hard when the car is not at your house, I know because mine is about 30min. from home. So if you only have a couple of hours it's almost worthless to drive over. This time if year is even worse, because you have to wait 15/20 min. for the shop to warm up. So sometimes you just have to force yourself to go. Even if you only get one small task done, that is forward motion.

Now that being said, I do the list thing, I also make sure I have a clear idea of what I want to get done, and the parts/tools to do it. On the subject of tools, when your time is limited you have to make sure all your tools are were the should be. In other words put them away when done. Nothing waste as much time as having to find your tools. Also I have found, that leaving myself notes about what I was doing when I stop the last time, helps me to get moving a little faster. (the mind isn't what it use to be.)

As others have said, set realistic goals for yourself. Wife, kids, job all have to come first. This is a hobby for most of us, so enjoy the ride. If you want it bad enough, it will happen.

 

Stay in the garage and off the computer,having kids and a wife and are a full time job ,along with a full time job can really add to the time it takes to do the most simple task.Every day I try to do something ,dont get overwhelmed,and try not to listen to the peanut gallery too closely.They always try to tell you how the view is from the cheap seats.Great car by the way.What a steal!

 

Coors helps