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

I tried lists. To give you an idea, my stuff to do and bills to pay list turned into a parts to flip for profit list followed by a research automotive chemical compatibility process, transmission parts ordering list, followup with the customer that no the parts couldn't be had any cheaper email list, an old automotive lighting project, speedometer parts research, mailing crap for my own account plus something to the wife's friend, carburetor rebuild research and more tools research on some I just found.

So I gave up on the list because my wrist hurt.

 

Get one of those desktop or wall calendars with big boxes for each day.
Make up a list of sub-projects and the reasonable time you estimate it will take to complete them. Some like to do all the body work first, then the chassis, some the other way around, depends on your own likes.
Note on calendar all family, church, etc. commitments (especially wife and kids birthdays and your wedding anniversary), then add in the project work times when you can reasonably expect to have the time to complete them. Be sure you have storage space for completed sub-projects.
This was recommended to me by an old rodder friend and it worked the one time I did it and stuck to the plan. It works very well for smaller projects than building a complete car too, engine change, etc.

 

a photoshop mock up helps keep me motivated and helps me have a clear goal of where I'm headed

 

Get rid of the beer fridge in the shop.Get caller ID on shop remote phone.Go to a show like Detroit Autorama and amagine your car there.

 

By the time I got rid of the beer, I'd be to drunk to work on the car! Dennis D

 

I use a big whiteboard divided into 8 spaces. Eight is my limit. There are currently six on the board, and man, am I tired.

 

beer is your friend, that amd have some talented actual people friends come over and lend a helping hand, feed them beer and pizza work on the car nearly every night that you can, enjoy the finished product or progress when you are done for the day, oh yeah more beer

 

a list is a great idea if your a list kinda guy, but working 6 days a week can put the whammy on a project. Plan all week on what you are going to do on the weekend, and work every weekend day you can. I believe that the more you get accomplished the more your desire to return becomes the primary focus. Skipping the weekend day of working on the hotrod can lead to more of the same. Plan all week on what you are going to do and then DO IT. Get off the computer and go to work.....and it WILL get done....

 

I've had this problem before and it came back to the very first part of buying a project...it's this: I have to absolutely LOVE the car if I'm building it from scratch...doing a frame-up build.
If I buy a car that only needs a little tinkering to cruise in, that's different but a full-on build needs to be a car you'd die to own or you'll run out of interest before it's very far along..at least that's the case with me.
When I was getting really close to 60 years old [yeah, I know...I'm ancient!] I decided to quit fucking around and go right to the top of my "bucket list"...a 33-34 ford coupe.
I bought a real piece-a-shit but have been able to sustain a good level of interest for a few years of building now. It's coming along just fine.
I've tried buying projects that were semi-interesting and it wasn't long before they became "jobs"..not projects. No fun anymore.
Also, do NOT listen to your buddy's when they tell you how they'd build it...it's your baby. If you put something together just to impress your buddie's or blow other people's minds, it really isn't yours. Build it exactly as you want it or you'll grow to hate it.
I have spoken.

 

I made a list to do mine .
Like engine and trans , body work , paint , interior , rear end up grades , front end up grades , fuel system , brake system and so on .
YOU MUST stick with a plane or it will over whelm you real quick . Also set aside a time , days , nights or what ever to work on the project . Like a date with your car but no happy ending ! Even if you just take the wheels off or just get a door sanded or something along that line . As long as you continue to do something a few time a week on your project you won't loose the interest and you won't get over whelmed by all the work that needs to be done . Make sure you stick by your plane ! If you start making a lot of changes as you keep working on your project it will NEVER get done !
Just stick to a simple plan and it will get done .

Retro Jim

 

JACK DANIELS whiskey & BUSCH beer.
NO LIST HERE.

 

It's been hard since I moved away from my dad. Harder still since he died.

Working on old cars without a buddy to keep you company can be tough.

-Dave

 

I have allways bought another project and then ponder a while then buy another project.Im trying to quit that disorder though.