Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: jay moley on April 28, 2021, 10:14:20 am
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Ive completely had it with this job. I posted a recent thread about it and have tried to soldier on but I really can't go on.
I'm having dark thoughts while out cleaning and to be honest I'd say im depressed.
I need to make a change but don't want to lose the business as it has good potential.
Does anyone run the business and do another job too?
I have no idea what else I could do either. My previous experience is in sales but part time sales jobs are paying £10 an hour.
Feel properly *&%(!~~~
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Hi Jay,
You’ve got to be really sure it’s this job that’s making you down, because if it isn’t, you’ll feel the same or possibly worse in another job, particularly as window cleaning is very much a stress free job.
Important to get to the root of the issue, find out what’s getting you down and begin to deal with it...
All the best mate .
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Hi Jay,
You’ve got to be really sure it’s this job that’s making you down, because if it isn’t, you’ll feel the same or possibly worse in another job, particularly as window cleaning is very much a stress free job.
Important to get to the root of the issue, find out what’s getting you down and begin to deal with it...
All the best mate .
Thanks for the reply.
It's definitely the job. I love everything else about my life.
Only thing I can think of is getting someone in to do the work and just canvass to grow to a second van. I enjoy canvassing and growing the business. Ive added 95 new customers this year mainly through canvassing after work.
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I'm part time international man of mystery, the pay is shyte but the martinis are great.
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Hi Jay,
You’ve got to be really sure it’s this job that’s making you down, because if it isn’t, you’ll feel the same or possibly worse in another job, particularly as window cleaning is very much a stress free job.
Important to get to the root of the issue, find out what’s getting you down and begin to deal with it...
All the best mate .
Thanks for the reply.
It's definitely the job. I love everything else about my life.
Only thing I can think of is getting someone in to do the work and just canvass to grow to a second van. I enjoy canvassing and growing the business. Ive added 95 new customers this year mainly through canvassing after work.
was listening to Jordan Peterson talking about people working extremely hard can massively benefit from taking 4 day weekends every month or couple of months. he said in general they end up earning more than previous as a result, and are happier.
if you have been cleaning and canvassing hard i'm not surprised you are feeling down mate.
i wonder how much is depression and how much could be run down or burnout. they are pretty similar, but if you say you love the rest of your life that doesn't sound necessarily like a depression. im not an expert though
for me it very important that i see a future in window cleaning. if i feel i am just running around cleaning windows that is not enough for me. however much money i might be earning. so i need to see growth and development of the business, so staff, turnover, a smoother running machine... emptying staff in good jobs, whatever it is... i need to feel i am doing something 'significant' and stimulating for me
i spent most of last year convinced i was planning my exit from this business, but with the help of a really experienced entrepreneurs and now that i am in a small group of likeminded window cleaners... i feel motivated and energised about iSparkle again.
good luck
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Hi Jay,
You’ve got to be really sure it’s this job that’s making you down, because if it isn’t, you’ll feel the same or possibly worse in another job, particularly as window cleaning is very much a stress free job.
Important to get to the root of the issue, find out what’s getting you down and begin to deal with it...
All the best mate .
Thanks for the reply.
It's definitely the job. I love everything else about my life.
Only thing I can think of is getting someone in to do the work and just canvass to grow to a second van. I enjoy canvassing and growing the business. Ive added 95 new customers this year mainly through canvassing after work.
was listening to Jordan Peterson talking about people working extremely hard can massively benefit from taking 4 day weekends every month or couple of months. he said in general they end up earning more than previous as a result, and are happier.
if you have been cleaning and canvassing hard i'm not surprised you are feeling down mate.
i wonder how much is depression and how much could be run down or burnout. they are pretty similar, but if you say you love the rest of your life that doesn't sound necessarily like a depression. im not an expert though
for me it very important that i see a future in window cleaning. if i feel i am just running around cleaning windows that is not enough for me. however much money i might be earning. so i need to see growth and development of the business, so staff, turnover, a smoother running machine... emptying staff in good jobs, whatever it is... i need to feel i am doing something 'significant' and stimulating for me
i spent most of last year convinced i was planning my exit from this business, but with the help of a really experienced entrepreneurs and now that i am in a small group of likeminded window cleaners... i feel motivated and energised about iSparkle again.
good luck
The business growth and canvassing really excites me.
Its the actual window cleaning that I hate.
I agree its not proper depression but its starting to affect the rest of my life including my relationship with the missis as im so miserable. It can't go on.
Feel like going all in - employing someone 5 days a week and just hitting the canvassing hard to get a second van. Big risk tho.
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If you suffer with depression it will be nothing to do with cleaning windows it wouldn’t matter what job you did,all a new job would do is perk you up initially but how is it going to get rid of you’re depression.
You go out you are you’re own boss I take you make a good enough living or enough,a solitary job won’t give you depression it will just bring it out in you seek help it’s out there m8.
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Nice NWH.... good to see u throwing some advise his way
Jay ....... we all get like that every now and then mate, some days are better than others so take a few positive things in ur life and focus on them.
Employing people can make things worse if they arnt good at there jobs an it can be a nightmare employing.
I struggled for a bit once my kids grew up as I always worked hard to provide for them now they moved out an I was like wtf is going on ere I all of a sudden am like cba.
This was before covid and my work is all commercial so as u can imagine I have 3 vans and more bills than money coming in for last year.
Am back out full time now and I feel all pumped up an ready to take on the world again.
For me personally I think not having my kids to provide for took the pressure away, which I thrives on and I was thinking what am I working all these hours for now if they av moved out an getting on with there life’s.
Like said above take a long weekend off go for a walk with ur Mrs and talk to her about how u feeling mate.
U av just got urself in a little rut, an this is probably coz u earn enough to pay ur bills and just going through the motions weekly.
If u go work for someone u will be on less money and more stress.
Hope tomora is a better day for u mate and just take it day by day
Matt
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Nice NWH.... good to see u throwing some advise his way
Jay ....... we all get like that every now and then mate, some days are better than others so take a few positive things in ur life and focus on them.
Employing people can make things worse if they arnt good at there jobs an it can be a nightmare employing.
I struggled for a bit once my kids grew up as I always worked hard to provide for them now they moved out an I was like wtf is going on ere I all of a sudden am like cba.
This was before covid and my work is all commercial so as u can imagine I have 3 vans and more bills than money coming in for last year.
Am back out full time now and I feel all pumped up an ready to take on the world again.
For me personally I think not having my kids to provide for took the pressure away, which I thrives on and I was thinking what am I working all these hours for now if they av moved out an getting on with there life’s.
Like said above take a long weekend off go for a walk with ur Mrs and talk to her about how u feeling mate.
U av just got urself in a little rut, an this is probably coz u earn enough to pay ur bills and just going through the motions weekly.
If u go work for someone u will be on less money and more stress.
Hope tomora is a better day for u mate and just take it day by day
Matt
Problem is mate that Ive been on a steady decline since the start of the year: doing less and less, having sick days if you can call them that because I can't face it.
I don't think time off will solve this, that's my gut instinct.
I've started letting customers down (saying im coming and then not turning up) and this week two have called up out of the blue asking where I am.
Also find it hard to talk to the missis about as Im embarrassed by my behaviour.
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Jay, you mentioned you enjoy canvassing so why not consider doing this and making a business out of it, I'm there are many window cleaners in your area that would be glad to have you working for them especially as you have the experience.
BTW where are you located?
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Jay, you mentioned you enjoy canvassing so why not consider doing this and making a business out of it, I'm there are many window cleaners in your area that would be glad to have you working for them especially as you have the experience.
BTW where are you located?
Funny that you say that as I thought about that yesterday.
Based in Surrey.
Thing is I doubt Id be as motivated doing it for someone else.
I average at least one new customer an hour canvassing. If I went full time canvassing and say did 5 hours a day 5 days a week Id be laughing. Big risk to take tho. Obviously hard graft too.
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Ive completely had it with this job. I posted a recent thread about it and have tried to soldier on but I really can't go on.
I'm having dark thoughts while out cleaning and to be honest I'd say im depressed.
I need to make a change but don't want to lose the business as it has good potential.
Does anyone run the business and do another job too?
I have no idea what else I could do either. My previous experience is in sales but part time sales jobs are paying £10 an hour.
Feel properly *&%(!~~~
if you really hate it you need to employ and get off the tools....its sounds to me you enjoy generating the work but dont like the actual cleaning side of it.....
im the opposite...i love being on the tools and out in the fresh air working on my own....no need for me to generate work myself as its self generating with no input/advertising from me....
today i worked 9am-230pm with 30 mins for lunch and was listening to the BBC SOUNDS podcasts on paul massey (salford gangster)called GANGSTER......really enjoyed the story of his life and it helps pass the time while cleaning..... 8)
i NEVER feel like jacking it all in since i went WFP 11 years ago....ive got it too good in both earnings and hours worked these days.....
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If you suffer with depression it will be nothing to do with cleaning windows it wouldn’t matter what job you did,all a new job would do is perk you up initially but how is it going to get rid of you’re depression.
You go out you are you’re own boss I take you make a good enough living or enough,a solitary job won’t give you depression it will just bring it out in you seek help it’s out there m8.
just need to flag this not being true
depression can be linked to a specific thing you are doing.
it could be that the nature of this job can contribute to you becoming depressed for sure
it can be as simple as changing a job for some people, or leaving a relationship, that is the route out of depression
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If you’re seriously thinking of coming off the tools and employing I wouldn’t be rushing out canvassing for more customers just yet. Just concentrate on employing someone trustworthy that will do your existing jobs to a good standard......believe me that’s not quite as easy as it sounds. Once you have that running smoothly for around a year then you could look to expand if you still want to. If you start canvassing for more work straight away and buy a second van, what if you can’t get decent staff? The likelihood is that this scenario will make your depression even worse. Take one step at a time.
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If you’re seriously thinking of coming off the tools and employing I wouldn’t be rushing out canvassing for more customers just yet. Just concentrate on employing someone trustworthy that will do your existing jobs to a good standard......believe me that’s not quite as easy as it sounds. Once you have that running smoothly for around a year then you could look to expand if you still want to. If you start canvassing for more work straight away and buy a second van, what if you can’t get decent staff? The likelihood is that this scenario will make your depression even worse. Take one step at a time.
Good post.
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Remember depression is just a feeling most of the time it comes and goes like any other feeling like happiness or sadness,don’t think it’ll be with you forever I think we all get depressed from time to time.
The best cure for depression is talking the more you talk the better you’ll get like Kate Bush says don’t give up 👍
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Probably in the short term getting someone in for two days a week is the starting point.
Not sure how I'll manage the other three days tho based on recent performances.
Went out this morning and only did one job before having to come home. It's not good.
Even the need to provide for myself isn't motivating me.
I don't expect work to be great all the time and exciting etc. But I can't even tolerate doing this job right now. Every part of it makes me want to scream.
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Do you have a Hobby at all outside work
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Do you have a Hobbie at all outside work
Everything outside of work is great. Their's nothing I'd change. Very content.
Im actually a happy person despite coming across as a miserable s0d in this thread.
Although this work situation is starting to make me lose enthusiasm in things like exercise and I'm just more miserable with my girlfriend.
This is one of the things that concerns me most as she doesn't deserve it and obviously it could put our relationship in jeopardy if it continues.
To be honest I don't like coming on here and baring my soul but I'm desperate.
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Probably in the short term getting someone in for two days a week is the starting point.
Not sure how I'll manage the other three days tho based on recent performances.
Went out this morning and only did one job before having to come home. It's not good.
Even the need to provide for myself isn't motivating me.
I don't expect work to be great all the time and exciting etc. But I can't even tolerate doing this job right now. Every part of it makes me want to scream.
What do you particularly hate?
The physical cleaning?
The driving and parking?
Talking to customers who are in?
Being on your own?
The "paperwork"?
Something else?
When you go home after a short period of time for no "good" reason what do you do for the rest of the day?
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Probably in the short term getting someone in for two days a week is the starting point.
Not sure how I'll manage the other three days tho based on recent performances.
Went out this morning and only did one job before having to come home. It's not good.
Even the need to provide for myself isn't motivating me.
I don't expect work to be great all the time and exciting etc. But I can't even tolerate doing this job right now. Every part of it makes me want to scream.
What do you particularly hate?
The physical cleaning?
The driving and parking?
Talking to customers who are in?
Being on your own?
The "paperwork"?
Something else?
When you go home after a short period of time for no "good" reason what do you do for the rest of the day?
To be honest I hate the actual cleaning: parking, getting the hose out, setting up, hose snagging, cleaning the actual windows. I don't mind talking to customers. Some company would probably help I guess.
Doing the admin at the end of the day is no problem or speaking to customers on the phone or by email/ text. Canvassing I enjoy.
If I don't go out I don't do much. I certainly don't enjoy it like its a holiday day or weekend off.
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Burn out can run you down to the point of despising the job. Take time out and have a break from it, I do quite often. Work to live, not live to work.
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Do you have a history of depression ?
I felt like this a couple of weeks ago, completely fed up and was having all sorts of horrible thoughts, depressed to feck and felt like packing it in.
But this week i feel fine, full of energy and its not bothering me as much,
I go through these ups and downs a lot but looking back i always have as long as i can remember. So perhaps theres an underlying problem ?
Better to be happy than rich, i find money doesnt really motivate me anymore.
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Burn out can run you down to the point of despising the job. Take time out and have a break from it, I do quite often. Work to live, not live to work.
I don't think its burnout as I've always worked roughly 6-7 hours a day on the glass, often less if I get the work done - mainly 4 to 4 and a half days a week. Rarely ill do 8 hour days.
I don't take many breaks or a lunch but the job doesn't challenge me physically. Mentally its destroying me.
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Do you have a history of depression ?
I felt like this a couple of weeks ago, completely fed up and was having all sorts of horrible thoughts, depressed to feck and felt like packing it in.
But this week i feel fine, full of energy and its not bothering me as much,
I go through these ups and downs a lot but looking back i always have as long as i can remember. So perhaps theres an underlying problem ?
Better to be happy than rich, i find money doesnt really motivate me anymore.
I have bipolar and didn't work for 6 years due to the depression side of that condition.
I'm far from being in that place and overall Im really happy and grateful with life. I know that this isn't a change in my bipolar, its literally the job that's causing it. Depression via bipolar would be for no reason just depression showing up out of the blue.
Ive been stable for a long time mentally.
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Not sure however well meaning some people are, that they know what depression is. Feeling low for an amount of time or for a specific reason is what some people call depression but also what a lot of us experience as life’s ups and downs . Nobody is feeling great all the time. I would say real depression is having a chemical imbalance that makes it almost impossible to experience life like others and needs treating .
You should try work out which one you have Jay. I’d hate to feel like that about getting up and going to work. It’s definitely a sign that you need to change something or need to seek help about how your feeling. It’s hard for anybody to advise you which way to go honestly, but It sounds like you’ve realised you need to make a change and that’s half of the battle. You’ve come on here being honest and that’s also hard , so just try something that make you happy. I wish you all the best
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Sorry just seen the last couple of posts. Bipolar I know a lot about as my mum has it and is in hospital currently with it.
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Not sure however well meaning some people are, that they know what depression is. Feeling low for an amount of time or for a specific reason is what some people call depression but also what a lot of us experience as life’s ups and downs . Nobody is feeling great all the time. I would say real depression is having a chemical imbalance that makes it almost impossible to experience life like others and needs treating .
You should try work out which one you have Jay. I’d hate to feel like that about getting up and going to work. It’s definitely a sign that you need to change something or need to seek help about how your feeling. It’s hard for anybody to advise you which way to go honestly, but It sounds like you’ve realised you need to make a change and that’s half of the battle. You’ve come on here being honest and that’s also hard , so just try something that make you happy. I wish you all the best
Im not depressed in the true sense of the word or what the condition is but the job is getting me down in a big way. I just can't go on with it.
Life is too short to put up with anything that is causing you serious upset or anguish.
I know I will get out of this somehow. I've been through worse in my life but getting other cleaners points of view is valuable.
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Sorry just seen the last couple of posts. Bipolar I know a lot about as my mum has it and is in hospital currently with it.
Best wishes to the both of you. Ive spent time in those hospitals too.
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Thank you . I would say make the changes you have been thinking about . Trust your instincts and go for it.
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Ive completely had it with this job. I posted a recent thread about it and have tried to soldier on but I really can't go on.
I'm having dark thoughts while out cleaning and to be honest I'd say im depressed.
I need to make a change but don't want to lose the business as it has good potential.
Does anyone run the business and do another job too?
I have no idea what else I could do either. My previous experience is in sales but part time sales jobs are paying £10 an hour.
Feel properly *&%(!~~~
if you really hate it you need to employ and get off the tools....its sounds to me you enjoy generating the work but dont like the actual cleaning side of it.....
im the opposite...i love being on the tools and out in the fresh air working on my own....no need for me to generate work myself as its self generating with no input/advertising from me....
today i worked 9am-230pm with 30 mins for lunch and was listening to the BBC SOUNDS podcasts on paul massey (salford gangster)called GANGSTER......really enjoyed the story of his life and it helps pass the time while cleaning..... 8)
i NEVER feel like jacking it all in since i went WFP 11 years ago....ive got it too good in both earnings and hours worked these days.....
I listened to that podcast today too Daz, enjoyed it but thought the last episode was a bit of a letdown.
Sounds to me Jay you need to make some big decisions/risks to get yourself off the tools before you run your round into the ground.
Good luck however you go about it.
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Jay, sorry to hear that mate.
The only advice I can give, is you need to 'take a step back' (try and ignore your emotions) and look at your problem objectively, as if it were someone else's problem.
You say you enjoy the canvassing and people side, so do you want to grow the business? Would it help if a lad worked with you for a couple of days? You could then leave him to get on with each job while you canvass the street.
Do you want a completely different job? Tesco food delivery, postman, etc etc. You could rent your round out for 25%, or sell it even.
A friend of mine has put a second van on the road. He has given the guy all his work and takes a percentage.
My friend hates cleaning windows but he loves fsg cleaning and gutter clearing. He is putting out a lot of leaflets, which is keeping him fully booked with gutter clears etc. From the gutter clears, he also gets some of the regular window cleaning work, as well, building that side of the business at the same time.
I think whichever way you go, you need to make a decision fairly soon, for the sake of your business and your own wellbeing.
If you're having a real crap day, call me on 07850 262016, it'll make a change from talking about covid! ;D
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I had a mate who used to feel the same.
Used to set off park up outside the job and break down crying couldn't get out of the van, then turn back and go home feeling worse.
He was severely depressed.
His missus started going out working with him, they worked through it she dealt with the customers he concentrated on cleaning and didn't have to interact with anyone.
Try and get some company to work with you even if you have to pay them it could be worth it in the long run.
Could your missus change her job and work with you?
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I have to say it does sound like depression to me
Or burnout
Even if it doesn’t feel the same as a bipolar episode
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OK so this may be really stupid but do you do many 'add ons'? ie. is a big part of the issue the window cleaning side of things? If it is maybe you could break things up by canvassing for more addons. i.e. get a pressure washer or maybe even some roof scrapers (hire a tower) then go canvassing and see if you can reduce the time on the glass and more on addons?
Maybe the variety would help?
Also as others have said an extra person to do some of the windows a couple of days a week would give you less time on the glass obviously financial penalties and legal paperwork issues but sort of changing from being purely on the glass to say 2 days a week on glass and the rest canvassing or doing add ons?
One thing is for sure, you have taken a good step realising there is something making you unhappy and have started to talk about it. Just being able to vent on here might help a little as you now know it's not only you.
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Not being funny but add ons make me depressed.
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Not being funny but add ons make me depressed.
I’m getting that way too about them!
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I’ve started doing a 4 day week, I do a bit more the 4 days, then weather permitting have Fridays off, I wish I had done it years ago
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I do a lot of add on jobs, anything between 4-5 jobs a week doing gutter and facia cleans.
A lot of them are recommended by a fellow WC and I much appreciate these jobs he passes onto me as I find it keeps things fresh and keeps me motivated as well as earning more money.
It is so easy to become stagnant doing the same round/routine week after week so it's great to have a change and go to different houses and meeting different people.
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If you like em Jay you keep doing em m8 that’s what it’s all about being happy look at me I get called all sorts of swear words on here but I can take it,the chances are I’ll get banned for getting called names lol I think there’s a new change in the law next month if you get attacked you are the one that actually goes to prison 🤣🤣🤣🤣.
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I actually find the add on stuff worse.
There is no easy or quick solution to this but what I have decided is to get someone in two days a week. The plan would be that I work Mon/Wed/Fri so I can always view it like its only one day then I don't have to do it tomorrow if that makes sense. Then work Tuesday and Thursday at canvassing which I enjoy.
Just have to toughen up a bit aswell. Im sure most people don't like their jobs and there are obvious benefits to being a window cleaner. Im going to try and focus on those.
I'll get out tomorrow and just get my head down.
Thanks for all the posts.
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I actually find the add on stuff worse.
There is no easy or quick solution to this but what I have decided is to get someone in two days a week. The plan would be that I work Mon/Wed/Fri so I can always view it like its only one day then I don't have to do it tomorrow if that makes sense. Then work Tuesday and Thursday at canvassing which I enjoy.
Just have to toughen up a bit aswell. Im sure most people don't like their jobs and there are obvious benefits to being a window cleaner. Im going to try and focus on those.
I'll get out tomorrow and just get my head down.
Thanks for all the posts.
If you hate the job that much you need to sell up and do something else IMO....lifes too short to spend your working life hating what you do...
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I agree with Daz
How long you been doing windows ?
Darran
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Maybe get a job in a factory for a month, on £10ph. It’ll make you realise just how easy and good you have it doing the windows.
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I was going to say the same thing try another job that in itself will perk you up depression and doing a job like that will increase it I would think,of course leave things open so you could return to what you are already doing.
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Ive always had a full time job, I bought my first window round 18 years ago when 9/11 took hold and I thought I was going to lose my main job so did this as an add on. Ive now built that round to nearly 1000 customers and have 3 people working for me. Its very hard going as I still do a bit myself as I work shifts.
Ive spent weeks doing windows alone and it does have its good and bad points however nothing some music or a podcast doesn't sort. The lonelyness can get to you if you work alone and its very hard to keep motivated however my other job also reminds me of how good it is to work for yourself and also work outdoors.
I won't comment on the mental health side as I'm not a trained medic nor do I actually know you, what I will say is go and see your DR and explain your issues
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I agree with Daz
How long you been doing windows ?
Darran
Ten years
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(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1619809944_440A607A-D273-483A-B9D9-D4BE8B1969B3.jpeg)
I find keeping myself entertained all day helps 😀
This kept me going all day today - sometimes laughing out loud whilst working 🤣🤣🤣
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I also do gardening 2-3 days work each week