All,
Well, the first thread I started by this named certainly grew and became one of the more interesting threads I have read here in a while.
We are all over the map as a whole; in our dedication to life and or work. I think I heard from every possible viewpoint on the topic.
I just received this months Remodeling Magazine and interestingly enough, therein was and article of peculiar interest to me as it deals with the exact subject of the thread I started a week or so ago.
http://remodelingmagazine.com/industry-news.asp?sectionID=194&articleID=222557
I would encourage you all to take the time to read it, and if you are in the trades (or can make it look like you are!) subscribe to this free publication. It almost always contains some very interesting topics concerning bussiness and marketing.
Eric
Replies
"Measure success in results, not hours. "
That's a big one for me ... I've always been "task oriented" ...
some days are 6 hr days ... some are 10 or 12 ...
as long as I get done what I planned on ... I'm happy.
then ... there are the days when I just know it ain't happening ....
so I head home early and hit it hard the next.
I'll work as many 10's and 12's straight thru if there's light at the end of the tunnel.
everything should have a purpose ... not just to rack up the most hours.
and ... I ley everyone know ... I'll put in as many sane hours as need be to hit the unrealistic target every now and then ... but times like yesterday ... when my little boy had a fever ... I'll look at the job at 8am ... but I'm taking the rest of the day off and getting him to the Dr's then back home to watch cartoons all day!
The customers can wait a day ...
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Only problem with measuring success in results, not hours, is how many clients will let you take forever, Jeff, to get the job done, and done right? Not targeting you, specifically, but there are times when common sense says a job shouldn't, even when done right, should take >X hours.
I did find it amusing, yet honest, when a pair of Latinos said they worked per job and not per hour, and that if only paid by the hour would take longer than necessary.
the task still takes the exact amount of "time" to accomplish ...
it's just a little mental game of sorting it all out in your head (or mine, I should say)
Let's say it's the end of the day ... an hour left in the "8 hour day" ... and U just finished up the last task on your list.
8 hr day mentality ... U focus on filling that 8 hrs ... and not going over.
But ... with task focused ... U could either call it an honest day and pack up ...
or ... start the first task of the next ... maybe the 1.5 or 2 hr task that U wouldn't try with the "hourly mindset".
I do that alot ... try to fit in "one more thing" ... as long as I'm not rushing .. or overly tired ... or sick .. what ever. Feeling good and all the tools are already out ... may was well get a start on tomorrow.
Usually I find I can complete that task quicker than I think ... as I'm not being rushed or forced to do it.
And if it does take 2 or 3 hrs ... I can always sleep in a little the next day ... get a later start ... "cause the first task of that day is already done! Then ... I have a happy/short day and am still 100% on schedule. Like a mini-vacation.
Sometimes I slack off and take that vaction ... sometimes I go in "on time" and finish the whole deal ahead of schedule. Or just make up for lost time and get back on track.
Took me a long time to adjust to "employee-thinking" when I went from self employeed to employee years ago ... 4pm everyone sould stop working ... and I was thinking how dumb ... another half hour and we could be done with this ... but to everyone else ... tomorrow was another day.
Also took me a while to get back to the "task mentality" when I went back to work for myself.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Taking a mental health day today...the first workday off in months. I've been working 10-12 hours a day, six days a week, for several months.
The kids are home on their break--I'm letting the customers wait. Today it's a pancake breakfast, air hockey with the kids, take a walk with DW & the golden retriever.
Good deal.
Sounds like you deserve it for sure.
Enjoy the family!
Eric
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It's Never Too Late To Become What You Might Have Been