[Clive McDonald]

The e myth is the title of a book and i think it must have been written especially for us.Published in 95 and a bestseller ever since it addresses people who start a business and then get trapped by it. Trapped by having to work harder and harder and harder.

Trapped by not really haviing a business at all but merely a well paid job.


I'm in this trap and pretty fed up.I know a few of you have read it because it's been mentioned before on here.But if you haven't read it you can still have a view.

I'm coming up to four years in and all i do is work and work and work.If i carry on for another four is that all i have to look forward to?

I can't tell you what the book suggests as a solution because i am only half way through, but i do know that a few of you have found a way through, and i also know that many are in the same boat as me, and a few treat the job as a hobby.

So, thoughts please.It's okay to be as critical of me as you like- i can take it

[Darranvps]

Wow you need help!

Employ staff if you don't already. It means a step back initially  but will end up being two steps forward in the long run.

Basically I really don't have enough work for 1 man all year, but I do employ staff to do all of my work, as well as occasionally working alongside them to ensure they are doing a good job to a high standard.
Most of the time I am out quoting or chasing contracts though, except for when I am on holiday - which most years I take a lot

You will get the point in the end - good luck!

[Darranvps]

I have never read the book.

My thoughts on work are, work to live, not live to work.

If you can,. dump some poor work, tweak your round so you dont work so much, then you will have more time at home, and more time to spend with your family.

You maybe worse of financially, but im sure you will be happier.

I have never read the book either Lee.
My thought's on work are get others to do for you, so you don't have to
It's great for everybody, because I create a job, which keeps somebody in employment and gives me more freedom to do whatever I want to when I want.
We're all winners!

[Londoner]

Slumpy
Life they say is what you make it, I would say its how you see it. Lets have a run through, no rent to pay, no stock to buy, no vat, no staff, millions of potential customers, work how/when you want to suit you. Free as a bird.

You have never had it so good, but you want a business. Well go out and rent a shop, buy some stock, employ some staff, register for Vat and then sit and wait to see IF enough customers walk through your door to pay for it all. Then see what you think of window cleaning then.

[mci services]

Never read the book, but a few years ago I read or watched something by a successful multi millionaire. He reckoned to make that leap to being really successful you have to get of the tools whether you are a plumber, window cleaner or whatever. That can be difficult for some of us as it would take a fair bit of money to not work our self.

[Perfect Windows]

Well, I recommended the book to you.  It's all about turning what you do from "doing a job" to "running a business". It's not about employing and it's certainly not about moving into a different business (such as a shop, suggested above, for some bizarre reason).

It gives one way (and one I happen to like) to go about the shift.  I know this is something you struggle with, hence the recommendation.

Vin

[Perfect Windows]

I'm coming up to four years in and all i do is work and work and work.If i carry on for another four is that all i have to look forward to?

One thing is for sure.  If you spend the next four years doing what you did for the past four years then I guarantee that nothing is going to change.

Vin

[Perfect Windows]

Well, I'm biased as I recommended the book to you.  It's all about turning what you do from "doing a job" to "running a business". It's not about employing and it's certainly not about moving into a different business (such as a shop, suggested above, for some bizarre reason).

It gives one way (and one I happen to like) to go about the shift.  I know this is something you struggle with, hence the recommendation.

Vin

[Ian101]

I went thru a phase of wanting to take over the world but thought about it and decicded to keep it small with just me and no one else .... however will keep refining work until its mint with lots of income.

then sell up for a vast amount of money 

[Sean Dyer]

without staff ian and a " business " window cleaning rounds dont go for "vast amounts"

Its mad that well earning domestic rounds , go for less than crap priced contracts making about 10% profit, but its just the way it is!

[Sean Dyer]

Slumpbuster

I know you go on a bit about how good you are, so you obviously have no problem doing the work and getting it etc and i reckon you are in the upper earnings of a sole trader, so i reckon if your fed up its because a. you want more money and cant manage it so need to get staff etc
or b. change your mindset and be happy with what you can earn

If you are unsatisfied all you can do is change the situation or your mindset

I reckon unless you are really after fancy cars etc then you could flog your crap work , keep the cream , refine a bit, bang  your prices up and if you really need it then get help in a couple of days a week or more, and just earn a decent sole trader wedge?

[Londoner]

it's certainly not about moving into a different business (such as a shop, suggested above, for some bizarre reason).

I was not suggesting anyone buys a shop, I was just making a comparison to show how easy life is as a window cleaner compared with the headaches and overheads of running what many people would regard (wrongly) as a "proper" business.

No business is easy these days, and they all have their problem but window cleaning has got to be as close to foolproof as its possible to ever get.

[mci services]

it's certainly not about moving into a different business (such as a shop, suggested above, for some bizarre reason).

I was not suggesting anyone buys a shop, I was just making a comparison to show how easy life is as a window cleaner compared with the headaches and overheads of running what many people would regard (wrongly) as a "proper" business.

No business is easy these days, and they all have their problem but window cleaning has got to be as close to foolproof as its possible to ever get.

I don't think any one apart from perfect windows read your post like that Vince I knew exactly what you meant as I am sure slumpy did as well

[Clive McDonald]

I've been reading the replies with great interest.Rhino made me a bit jealous because he has such a good vision, and i can't believe he's come to so many right answers without some form of guidance.

He's doing what i've been thinking.I've got lots of excuses why i don't.

[Darranvps]

I've been reading the replies with great interest.Rhino made me a bit jealous because he has such a good vision, and i can't believe he's come to so many right answers without some form of guidance.

He's doing what i've been thinking.I've got lots of excuses why i don't.

Call me for inspiration whenever you like

[Helen]

I've been reading the replies with great interest.Rhino made me a bit jealous because he has such a good vision, and i can't believe he's come to so many right answers without some form of guidance.

He's doing what i've been thinking.I've got lots of excuses why i don't.

If you have lots of excuses "why you don't" then you are not ready to move in that direction. One day you will go "that is what I am going to do" and do it with positive thoughts backing up your decison not negative ones.
Was it 4 years you have been going? Not a long time in the grand scale of things, so maybe this sort of industry isn't for you after all, or perhaps you don't suit being "the boss". Not having a go just being realistic
We all go through times where we question why do we do this?
Sit down ask yourself what else would you do instead of wc'ing? Start up another business? go work for someone else? Sit around do nothing?
Maybe you will find the answer to what you are going to do, by questioning yourself

[TomCrowther]

Hey Slumps
Most businesses take up to three years to become established. My take on this is you enjoyed building the round up, figuring how to do things smarter/quicker and got a buzz out of both these aspects. Now you feel you are on the treadmill, going round and round.
You are 1 to 2 years ahead of me but I would take someone on part time on the existing work you have. Work it together and in your new free time either start something else or grow the business further.
For what it's worth, I am doing more power washing jobs and will soon market my business very differently with WC being just one of the things I cover. I will them employ and live the life of a Rhino.

[dazmond]

i agree with tom.whats happened is you enjoyed building the work up now you find it a chore taking on new work!/buying new van/equipment and now its boring you!

thats the thing with window cleaning at times.motivation!

ive  nearly had a week off.van in garage for mot and repairs.jet washed girlfriends decking,done her garden today.ive had time to sort out invoices,paperwork out.ordered a few things etc.

im raring to go now.should get my van back tommorrow afternoon.only be a week behind.

i dont take my business or well-paid job(whichever way you wanna look at it!)for granted!!

im happy with my business and im slowly adding better work but i also have time to do other things.maybe your work/life balance is not right!

have you got any other interests apart from window cleaning,making money and reading business books?

maybe this is where your problem lies!!

a good break would do you good!



regards


dazmond

[Tom White]

So, thoughts please.It's okay to be as critical of me as you like- i can take it

I don't think there is an 'end point', in that if you're suggesting that if you had the right business, the right guys working for you, you could just sit back and relax and live off the income that everyone is generating for you, and then you think you would be well and truly happy.

I personally don't think that would be what would happen and the reality of the situation would be that you swap one set of problems for another set of problems, because that's what we're like. 

I mean instead of 'working hard and being tired' problems, you'd have more worries about staff, getting work, keeping work, accountants, lawyers, health and safety issues, having to pay staff when they can't work (just look at last Winter) and all the other stuff (I'm probably unaware of) that comes with employing.

I don't think status and money make us happy; they're like drinking salt water; we keep on wanting more and yet we're never satisfied.

Just my thoughts!

[TomCrowther]

Your right Tosh, but lots of people thrive in that position. Another option would be to "sell" half the business to a partner. Someone who can give you a cash injection for half the business and bring lots of new ideas and enthusiasm to the table. Something to consider anyway.