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Hi all. Lately my day job (not art stuff) has been really busy, 70 to 77 hours a week. I'm getting burned out. I have a few art projects hanging and haven't got the passion nor motivation to get to them. Today is Thankksgiving, and I am thankful that I'm working, I'm not complaining here.
I was wondering if you get this type of feeling when your really busy with your sign business and how do you get yourself out of this rut.
Have a great Thanksgiving CJ (the other one)
-------------------- Ed CJ Williams CJ Graffx Christiana,Pa. cjgraffx@comcast.net Just have'n fun.... Posts: 296 | From: Christiana,Pa. | Registered: May 1999
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think of being a steel mill worker...(iam from the area western pa) or not being able to pay bills....keeps me motivated...
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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When someone finds there way to me with something in my field, I tend to feel obligated to take on whatever it is they have. Like Si said, you always need to make sure & charge enough, but when I take, take, take orders all day & then my 70 hours isn't enough to keep up I can usually sub out some of the work to a few home-based people I know who can make enough for their needs and still leave 15-25% for me. If I only do a small amount of co-ordination work for 15% of the price I make a little, the customer gets taken care of, & when they need something else, they still think of me.
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I quess I didn't get my point across very well. I'll get the work done on time, that's not the real problem. I'm losing the passion! But thanx for the replies.
-------------------- Ed CJ Williams CJ Graffx Christiana,Pa. cjgraffx@comcast.net Just have'n fun.... Posts: 296 | From: Christiana,Pa. | Registered: May 1999
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Isn't that you just want a little diversion and pizazz!?? That is what works for me! And I don't want to change a thing since I know exactly what I am doing. All I want to do is just add something fun into whatever I am doing! Anything to make work seem fun and the tasks just fall into place! Adding to my post after reading Dan's, I agree with having the "dream" projects focused on as last of the day, too, and also "mini dream projects" for the brief times there may be slumps during the day. I have combinations of ways to spice it up sometimes if possible. And, sometimes, a brief phone call or a tiny shopping trip for a diversion project help too.
[ November 28, 2002, 11:32 PM: Message edited by: Deb Fowler ]
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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We all get tired from long days and busy schedules.
I find that I always save the choice or personally satisfying jobs for last as my reward for getting through the mundane stuff.
On the job we just finished (8 weeks of 70-80 hour weeks) I re-did my web page in the evenings as a reward to myself. The job is fun, creative and also helps me build long term prospects and our future.
The day to day stuff is here & now, while the new web page for us is long term dream stuff... and much more enjoyable... a good reward for me.
I also work on dream projects and long term plans, sketches etc... you should see the stuff I am dreaming. We've only just begun! All this keeps me motivated and productive.
-dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8766 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Raise your prices, cut your hours, and go home to your family. Diversify your life. I don't understand putting in such hours consistently in one's work. Life is too short, go on and live it.
-------------------- Wright Signs Wyandotte, Michigan Posts: 2787 | From: Wyandotte, MI USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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Like David said, you could always go home earlier. But I'm sure many of us still put in the 70 hours & feel passionate about it enough to not sense burn-out.
My reply may have seemed to be about just getting the work out, but although you can do that, if it's too much to enjoy, then it's too much.
Someone told me this quote was from one of those famous Socrates/Plato type guys...I don't know, but "a change is as good as a break" is true for me.
Like Deb & Dan said, the interspersing of more satisfying tasks help me with the balance. I'm not saying I don't have my moments of drudgery, but I've been on the 60+ hour/wk treadmill for several years & still give thanks out loud & exclaim to all who will listen, that I know I'm lucky to LOVE my work!
I have weeks where I don't produce for even 40 hours in a week because I follow my heart & "play" with things like web design, exploration of new software skills, or the on-going shop organization improvements. I manage to keep my comittments, but delay the jobs without due dates. Just about the time I notice I'm looking like a slacker I will find myself putting 2 or 3 18 hour days into a week & get 2 weeks of work done while rockin' to good tunes & buzzin' around the shop in the wee hours like Santa's elves stoked with the passion.
Whatever will do it for ya, I hope you get a good dose of the passion back. Now that I've found it it's the only drug for me anymore.
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i dont know....about passion..for the work....i think i have it all the time...love to be used i guess hahahahha....meaning when iam asked "can you do this?" iam like a kid tryin to please a teacher and show them that i CAN do this or that....think thats what stirs my passion for the craft....but i can get bored with mundane signs...you know quick,fast, cheap... and can you do it yesterday....
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Quit your day job. If being hungry doesn't motivate you nothing will.
Or just bite the bullet and pick up your pencil, pen, brush, etc and get back to those projects. The hardest part is getting to them, once you start you'll get into it and wonder why you didn't do it earlier.
There's all kinds of excuses NOT to do the work, make up an excuse to get you INTO it.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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-------------------- Ed CJ Williams CJ Graffx Christiana,Pa. cjgraffx@comcast.net Just have'n fun.... Posts: 296 | From: Christiana,Pa. | Registered: May 1999
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Hey Fast Eddie! Remember how I felt last July when you called me and I said that after the big meet, I was gonna close up shop permanantly & be a greeter at Wal-Mart? You told me you hoped I would keep it up. Well, buster, I'm not gonna let you give up, either! Take a break. You've been drivin that big rig like a dog. I know trucking is in your blood, but your talent runs deeper than that. Take a rest with your wonderful family over the upcoming holidays -you deserve it- and the creative juices will start to flow again. I have never felt so burned out as I did after Mars. But slowly, slowly my inspiration trickled back in. Now here I am, all arted up & no signs comin in! Blech! Also, think about all the fun art you'll be doing when that new grandbaby makes his or her appearance- maybe on one of our birthdays! Love you man. Hi to Pattie SILLY JILLY
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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I raised my prices, cut my hours to 40, I have done more sales this year so far than all of last year but most of all go to the sign convention in Atlantic City. If that won't refresh you than maybe it will inspire you.
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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I forgot to say that I am going to have to take some of my own medicine. I have been bummed today as I found out that a new sign shop opened up in my small city and there really isn't the business for it right now-not going into winter. We found out that this new sign person moved here from Arizona. Anyone know who this might be? I am going to call and at least welcome them.
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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A sign shop in my town (in AZ) recently changed hands, dunno if it would be the same folks though cause they've been here for years and years and I can't imagine anyone willingly moving from here to a cold place like Michigan.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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CJ, if you are working 70 to 77 hours at your day job then it is no wonder why you are burnt out! just like everyone above has indicated, we all get burned out from time to time.
i like sonny's suggestion, get to a letterheads meet. you will see a lot of different styles and mediums to inspire.
it would also help if you didn't work 70 to 77 hours at your day job! LOL
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Mike, Do you know what their names were? About three months ago, some man came in and was kinda quizzing me. I can't really remember wha tquestions he was asking me but when he left, I told my husband that I thought he was another sign person. I made sure to give answers that weren't inflated.
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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The best thing you can do is take time off. I was really getting burned out. Basically I just decided to take a couple days off after Thanksgiving. Went to the movies...out to dinner, bought some new CD's. Got my mind away from work. I know it is hard to take time off when you are swamped, but it might do you some good! Good luck to you CJ (the other one) Posts: 3729 | From: Seattle | Registered: Sep 1999
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Agreeing with all of the comments, CJ's and Pipe's stand out the most. Raise the prices and go for it full time(don't forget family time!). Bustin'@*% to get there myself.
Being stuck working for the man is exhausting enough without staying up until 2am every morning "chasing the dream". I feel the same way at times trying to make the transition from excavator/tandem driver to a self employed graphics/sign guy. For now, I'm stuck here in a cube with all of the coprorate b.s., it's a transition period, but at least it's graphics related.
How about the possibility of doing your signs/graphics full time and finding a part time trucking gig to help with the extra bills? Just a thought.
When the dream dies your as good as done. Hang in there and most of all NEVER GIVE UP!!! There's a blue sky up on the horizon. (and some poor slob who's got it worse)
-------------------- Alan Ackerson LetterWorks Design and Graphics alan@ack2.com Posts: 776 | From: Oak Ridge, NJ | Registered: Aug 2002
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