Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: steveo22 on March 03, 2012, 07:00:51 am
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Hello all, I've been suffering a real lack of motivation on my round of late and need it to change, basically I'll go out in a morning and make a start (after dragging my heels) and after a few hours I'll get bored and think "I can't be bothered today, I'll just have a good crack at it tomorrow" which ends up not happening!! I don't know why I'm feeling like this, I do have good days but more often than not I don't. Money and all the normal things motivate me, and I really want to put in the hours 5 days a week, just don't seem to be able to get going, I've tried coffee and Red Bull to get me going but neither seem to have any affect?! Feel like I need a magic pill or potion that will get me buzzing for the day, negative thinking seems to keep creeping in and thats not helping!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Steve
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take on a parttime worker or 2 . you cant lay in bed knowing theyre waiting to get going . of course its a big step but one i dont regret for a moment .
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I've had a couple of different people working for me and that does make things a little better as I don't have as much time to think negative, having a chat and a giggle. Anyone I've had though has been useless so decided to go back to working by myself a couple of months ago!!
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I go to to the gym after work, 5 days a week, and find this great for a healthy mind and body. ;)
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Its mind over matter mate. Unless your like me, got a couple of C.S.E's, how you gonna change your career?
Do work to suit yourself, thats why your self-employed.
Just try and focus on what you want to achieve each day, dont look at the big picture.
Red bull probably aint gonna help either. Sorry theres not a great deal of positivity there, but ive been where you are hundreds of times in 29 years of cleaning, sometimes its not easy as a sole trader either!
Just got to get on with it.
Good luck.
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I know the feeling well, it happens, it's like going through life with the handbrake on. I've got it on now; I'm off for a Parkrun, it's raining, and I don't want to go.
But all these problems are based in 'thinking'. 'Thinking' is a real bummer. 'Thinking' creates anxiety and aversion and if we get wrapped up in our thinking, we'll believe it's true, and our 'thinking' will control us. It's a bit like my dog, when I throw a stick, my dog has no choice in the matter, he must chase it. We can be a bit like that with the lack of control we experience due to our thinking.
The solution? I find meditation helps with this; though it's far from a quick fix. But over time you can see what thoughts are (they're nothing really) and how they affect us; it kinda takes some of the power out of their sails.
When I wake up and think, "I can't be bothered to work today!", I can realise this is just thinking, and think, "So what? Do it anyway!"
There could be other contribution factors though. When my round was undevloped and underpriced, it was tough going out to do a hard days graft. Now my round is better priced and more compact and I use a van mounted WFP, getting my lazy ass out there isn't as difficult.
I also think there's been some good suggestions made, such as the exercise.
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DW that was a good post; shame you removed it.
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DW that was a good post; shame you removed it.
Tosh i dont know what happened there.....it happened yesterday as well on another post??
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Sorry to barge in on the Windy section, but it sounds like the start of depression.....
This is an illness, ( I know I suffer from it) and if you don't want to go to the doctors yet (most people don't) then try some St John's Wort from any supermarket. It takes a few days or so to kick in, but then your motivation does start to pick up.
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Whats more soul destroying than sitting at home looking at four walls or even that mind destroying item that sits in the corner or nower days is place on a wall.
With having lack of motivation your life style is at risk as you have less cashflow coming in but the bills you got to pay will not go away and then your world will coming crash down around you and from motivation comes depression.
Go out to work can give you more enjoyment of meeting all kinds of different people and plus the fresh air and keeping your cashflow in the right direction and your feel better when new customers ask you to clean there so your earning look more healthly and bright and all is calm and tranquil the nicer moments in life the reaping the rewards on the success of yourself.
What knocks you down get up and brush yourself off to succeed become the victor and not the victim.
Sorry if this is long winded, but keep your chin up and keep smiling ;D ;D :) :)
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Ok what i was saying was....
as well as the advice given above there maybe other contributing factors towards your low motivation.
I was constantly going through similar periods of low motivation and without realising it showing signs of depression,which caused me and my family some tough times.
I decided to do something about it and went to see the doctor,and after many tests etc etc i was diagnosed with a degenerative bone disease which was causing me to feel the way i was,down,unmotivated,lack of sleep (constantly),anger...the list goes on......but with the diagnosis and a lot of support (of which this forum and members of played a large part) i have found ways of coping....
Now i am not for one minute suggesting that your lack of motivation is down to a medical condition,but it certainly wouldn't hurt to go and see a doctor to have a chat.
I hope you feel better soon...
Dan :)
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Had a rough time for about 4 months now due to a few personal issues and i am still not 100 % but the best thing you can do is go to work . Because at the end of the week when you have wallet packed with money you will be pleased .
And not only that if you dont go out to work you will only cause more problems by getting further behind with your round which will make things worse .
Eventually you will get back to your old self mate but just try to keep your usual routine it helps long term even though at times , You wont care , Chin up mate ..MIKE
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It isn't the window cleaning that is giving you low motivation. I would guesse there is an underlying problem somewhere in your life which is causing you to have negative thoughts.
Maybe you need a holiday or rest for a short period to re-charge your batteries and give yourself some thinking time.
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I think it happens to everybody , Its a boring job lets face it. Try setting yourself target figures and chase the targets.
Failing that go out and buy a new car and shed loads of furniture on HP. Those bills rolling in each month will motivate you!
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take some music out with you , or listen to all sport , keeps me going
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we all suffer from low motivation at times.although i cant remember the last time i had it as my round is just getting better and better all the time!!
eating better and getting plenty of rest will help.also have something to look forward to.a holiday booked for example.
im off to new york at easter to see some friends and get myself some decent clothes for summer.also ill be buying a car when i get back so my van will just be used for work and then im off on a beach holiday in august for a couple of weeks(probably barbados or dominican republic!).
also ill be buying a 35ft SLX soon and a decent amp for my electronic drum kit!!
all this will cost me thousands of pounds.if i dont go to work i simply wouldnt be able to afford it!!thats enough motivation for me!!springs just around the corner as well!!
i love my life and my business but it doesnt come without hard work!! ;D ;D ;D
best wishes
dazmond
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I go to to the gym after work, 5 days a week, and find this great for a healthy mind and body. ;)
Me 2
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we all suffer from low motivation at times.although i cant remember the last time i had it as my round is just getting better and better all the time!!
eating better and getting plenty of rest will help.also have something to look forward to.a holiday booked for example.
im off to new york at easter to see some friends and get myself some decent clothes for summer.also ill be buying a car when i get back so my van will just be used for work and then im off on a beach holiday in august for a couple of weeks(probably barbados or dominican republic!).
also ill be buying a 35ft SLX soon and a decent amp for my electronic drum kit!!
all this will cost me thousands of pounds.if i dont go to work i simply wouldnt be able to afford it!!thats enough motivation for me!!springs just around the corner as well!!
i love my life and my business but it doesnt come without hard work!! ;D ;D ;D
best wishes
dazmond
you never fail to show people your positivity. well done , enjoy the holidays and good luck with getting a car.
steve
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Make a commitment to the clients you are cleaning. Ie they know when you are coming, so you cannot let them down!
Get a helper! That helps me
Don't race around but take it a bit easier and remember to appreciate the day and have a laugh!
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I can't believe what I'm reading on this thread,
How can anybody get bored with window cleaning? Its such an exciting job and such good fun.
Stop dissing the glass and go out there and get it done.
Dean.
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As somebody who has recently suffered from post traumatic stress disorder which led to depression, my advice would be this:-
Exercise - a healthy body REALLY does lead to a healthy mind. It's been said a million times before and that's because it's true. You don't even have to join a gym. A long walk / run / cycle 3-4 times a week can work wonders for your body and mind.
I always found it helped me personally to realise there is ALWAYS somebody suffering more than yourself. It made me put my own problems into perspective and be able to think Positively.
And finally, spring/summer is just around the corner, the best time of year for us as window cleaners, enjoy it.
Good luck.
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im off to new york at easter to see some friends and get myself some decent clothes for summer.also ill be buying a car when i get back so my van will just be used for work and then im off on a beach holiday in august for a couple of weeks(probably barbados or dominican republic!).
Good post as usual Daz, but there are better places to go on beach holidays in august than the Caribbean where it will be hurricane season. Id recommend the Caribbean in January though :)
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deege we were supposed to be going last year in august to the dominican but my girlfriend was just starting chemo treatment for cancer.its been a long hard few months for her.shes now finished her treatment and has been given the all clear so hopefully shes on the mend now! :D :D
we promised to take a friends 9 year old daughter with us as well.shes got her heart set on the dominican.missus s family still went last year and had a great time!! :D :D
best wishes to you all.
on the subject of motivation i go for a swim,meditate and do a bit of light yoga stretching and take st johns wort on a daily basis.it all helps.have a few hobbies away from window cleaning is good as well.
i love drumming,reading autobiographies,listening to music,watching films etc.
im planning on getting a decent tent for camping in the summer as well!! ;D ;D ;D
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It sounds like a well deserved break Daz, hope you enjoy it. I've been to the Dominican myself, great place with amazing beaches.
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Daz u rate this st johns wort gear then do u ? Wot does it do? I might giv it a go myself as I feel like this myself alot of the time I now swim b4 work and my iPod helps a bit of music really motivates me I stopped useibg it as I feel I loose my awareness when working on a ladder bt I simply knock my headphones out on the ups and stick em bak in when working at ground level
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Thank you for all the reply's, some good advice and a few new avenues to explore :)
Think I just need to give myself a kick up the ass first and foremost, but as some of you will know, Its not always that easy, again thanks for the comments.
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When I lack motivation I try to look at the reasons why. If it is work related, I try to attack the problem which causes the negativity and beat it, rather than let it beat me.
The last time it happened was when I was getting a lot of 'not todays' (happens all the time in my neck of the woods), so I have had to find ways of dealing with this. My solution was to go out and canvass more customers. If I got a lot of rejections, I continued to remain positive by knowing that every door I knocked brought me closer to my next new customer.
Set yourself some realistic goals, then set about achieving them by taking one step at a time. You could also build a reward system into this for each time you reach your goal. Remember that the cup is half full, not half empty.
John
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its getting past that hour or 2 after that its fun
;0
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I know the feeling well, it happens, it's like going through life with the handbrake on. I've got it on now; I'm off for a Parkrun, it's raining, and I don't want to go.
But all these problems are based in 'thinking'. 'Thinking' is a real bummer. 'Thinking' creates anxiety and aversion and if we get wrapped up in our thinking, we'll believe it's true, and our 'thinking' will control us. It's a bit like my dog, when I throw a stick, my dog has no choice in the matter, he must chase it. We can be a bit like that with the lack of control we experience due to our thinking.
The solution? I find meditation helps with this; though it's far from a quick fix. But over time you can see what thoughts are (they're nothing really) and how they affect us; it kinda takes some of the power out of their sails.
When I wake up and think, "I can't be bothered to work today!", I can realise this is just thinking, and think, "So what? Do it anyway!"
There could be other contribution factors though. When my round was undevloped and underpriced, it was tough going out to do a hard days graft. Now my round is better priced and more compact and I use a van mounted WFP, getting my lazy ass out there isn't as difficult.
I also think there's been some good suggestions made, such as the exercise.
WELL SAID TOSH ;) :)
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best thing in the world if you are down is a dog take it for a long walk all your troubles will go trust me i know have been there :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
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Hello all, I've been suffering a real lack of motivation on my round of late and need it to change, basically I'll go out in a morning and make a start (after dragging my heels) and after a few hours I'll get bored and think "I can't be bothered today, I'll just have a good crack at it tomorrow" which ends up not happening!! I don't know why I'm feeling like this, I do have good days but more often than not I don't. Money and all the normal things motivate me, and I really want to put in the hours 5 days a week, just don't seem to be able to get going, I've tried coffee and Red Bull to get me going but neither seem to have any affect?! Feel like I need a magic pill or potion that will get me buzzing for the day, negative thinking seems to keep creeping in and thats not helping!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Steve
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj-RJ4k9c04&feature=share
Just watch this and you will defiantly change your mind.
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This is worth a watch as well. It's not about that horrid earth shattering yip yip yip and get up and go and yahoo we're on roll here and all that hyped up crud that gets peddled as the cure for all things motivational.
It's a lady called Louise Hay who has written some pretty remarkable books and if anything, it's understated but worth watching none the less.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmc0BvY96ss
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low motivation................sleep well, eat well, exercise and remember bills dont stop coming in but if you dont work you will just make matters worse and find your world come crashing down around you.
If youre lacking motivation now, think what it will be like when everybody is demanding their outstanding bills are paid and youre in a huge mess financially, still lacking motivation but also suffering depression.
Talk to friends about your start of depression, even consult your doctor if need be. Hurry up and find your motivation and try to remind yourself constantly why its better to remain positive than negative with your view on life.
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This is worth a watch as well. It's not about that horrid earth shattering yip yip yip and get up and go and yahoo we're on roll here and all that hyped up crud that gets peddled as the cure for all things motivational.
It's a lady called Louise Hay who has written some pretty remarkable books and if anything, it's understated but worth watching none the less.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmc0BvY96ss
That’s call The Law Of Attraction :)
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This is worth a watch as well. It's not about that horrid earth shattering yip yip yip and get up and go and yahoo we're on roll here and all that hyped up crud that gets peddled as the cure for all things motivational.
It's a lady called Louise Hay who has written some pretty remarkable books and if anything, it's understated but worth watching none the less.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmc0BvY96ss
That’s call The Law Of Attraction :)
No, it's just age old principles you'll find in any philosophical, religious or spiritual tradition. And what the lady says is good (though I dislike all that innner child rubbish), but she doesn't explain in the clip how to cultivate those mind states, such as a positive mental attitude.
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Another thing I do, which helps me get my fat ass out the door, is to be well organised. For example, this morning I've been doing my filing, updating, printing out stationery and sorting the van, so come tomorrow morning all I have to do is make our sarnies and head out to work.
When I print my stationery, I normally do about four months worth. Updating I try to do everyday I work, but Friday evening I just binned the van and everything; hence I'm doing it today.
Getting new work always helps motivate me too.
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This is worth a watch as well. It's not about that horrid earth shattering yip yip yip and get up and go and yahoo we're on roll here and all that hyped up crud that gets peddled as the cure for all things motivational.
It's a lady called Louise Hay who has written some pretty remarkable books and if anything, it's understated but worth watching none the less.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmc0BvY96ss
That’s call The Law Of Attraction :)
No, it's just age old principles you'll find in any philosophical, religious or spiritual tradition. And what the lady says is good (though I dislike all that innner child rubbish), but she doesn't explain in the clip how to cultivate those mind states, such as a positive mental attitude.
;) :)
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This is worth a watch as well. It's not about that horrid earth shattering yip yip yip and get up and go and yahoo we're on roll here and all that hyped up crud that gets peddled as the cure for all things motivational.
It's a lady called Louise Hay who has written some pretty remarkable books and if anything, it's understated but worth watching none the less.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tmc0BvY96ss
That’s call The Law Of Attraction :)
No, it's just age old principles you'll find in any philosophical, religious or spiritual tradition. And what the lady says is good (though I dislike all that innner child rubbish), but she doesn't explain in the clip how to cultivate those mind states, such as a positive mental attitude.
;) :)
Don't start me on The Secret, Bosh, 'cos that's utter rubbish. I bought the book from a charity shop and it's laughable. "Please Jesub, make me rich!". ;D
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No, it's just age old principles you'll find in any philosophical, religious or spiritual tradition. And what the lady says is good (though I dislike all that innner child rubbish), but she doesn't explain in the clip how to cultivate those mind states, such as a positive mental attitude.
I didn't post it for 'positive mental attitude'. I posted it will the topic in mind - 'Low Motivation'. I know both are linked but I posted with one more in mind than the other.
Boshravie - I saw either you or some of your blokes in Hove last week. I did make a racket with the horn but then I realised you don't have a clue who I am or what van I drive. Der....
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I got myself some St Johns Wort yesterday, after some recommendations, we'll see how that goes!?!
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exercise does it for me,weather it running,biking road or mtbiking and swimming being outside in the great outdoors is my way,often with a great bunch of lads,but do enjoy me own company.
i do a min of 45 mins aday,but when having abad day then i let lose,and go for it.
being in a gym doesnt work for me and cost money ;D
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SOme useful posts here esp what Tosh said.
I suffered from lack of motivation and then depression, I guess I am still prone to it now.
Beating it can take time but it is beatable.
I take it on along with exercise and attack it the same way.
You cant run a marathon on day one, you have to build up to it maybe with a couple of miles to start with.
The next time you go further then futher still.
You will have setbacks but the trick is to compare with day one and not yesterday.
WIth work set a reasonable goal and when you get there go home, the following day try beating it by a small amount.
Keep doing this and build up slowly, when you have a bad day compare to day one not yesterday and you will see just how you have improved.
If its really bad have a 'rest day' and start afresh tomorrow.
Find someone to 'offload' on, someone who is realistic and positive, pref someone who has been through the same. Its not a kick up the backside you need or a reminder of bills or how bad things could be, so ignor those who say it is.
If you cant find anyone, call me my mobile is on my website. Most important dont deal with it alone.
Stuart
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SOme useful posts here esp what Tosh said.
I suffered from lack of motivation and then depression, I guess I am still prone to it now.
Beating it can take time but it is beatable.
I take it on along with exercise and attack it the same way.
You cant run a marathon on day one, you have to build up to it maybe with a couple of miles to start with.
The next time you go further then futher still.
You will have setbacks but the trick is to compare with day one and not yesterday.
WIth work set a reasonable goal and when you get there go home, the following day try beating it by a small amount.
Keep doing this and build up slowly, when you have a bad day compare to day one not yesterday and you will see just how you have improved.
If its really bad have a 'rest day' and start afresh tomorrow.
Find someone to 'offload' on, someone who is realistic and positive, pref someone who has been through the same. Its not a kick up the backside you need or a reminder of bills or how bad things could be, so ignor those who say it is.
If you cant find anyone, call me my mobile is on my website. Most important dont deal with it alone.
Stuart
Cheers Stuart
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Luckily for me I'm part of a charity that helps me immensely without havin to resort to booze! ;D.
We all need some sort of therapy at times.today the sun is shining and all worksheets and invoices are printed out for the week.van tank full to the brim ready for work.a good breakfast down me.time for a coffee then ill be out there.
As I guy who had so many problems I despaired id ever beat them I'm doin ok!
Best wishes to you all
Dazmond
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I got myself some St Johns Wort yesterday, after some recommendations, we'll see how that goes!?!
St John's Wort. PMSL. Man up. ;)
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:'( Hurtings!!
I got myself some St Johns Wort yesterday, after some recommendations, we'll see how that goes!?!
St John's Wort. PMSL. Man up. ;)
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Thinking back, it all started after my dog trauma, I still wake up sweating thinking about that evil Westy!!