[Marc Stock]

Since I was unwell a couple of weeks back, I have been doing some serious reflection on where my business is going and where I want it to be. Being 100% honest with myself I think I have got a bit lazy with the focus of the business. Over the last week back to work I have been so productive I surprised myself and cleared double what I normally do by simply working faster and not dwelling on how much I find the job a bore, just getting on with it to catch up.

Over the last few years especially I have found it very hard to get past this boredom stage, get up go out earn money and come home and repeat. Gone are the days where I was happy to window clean, and recently I dreaded going out some days. In fact I hated it so much I took Wednesdays off to break up the week.

Having been laid up in bed for a week, the 2nd day I started to miss actually going out and working by Friday not only was I feeling the financial impact of being off work, but the realisation of my business solely relies on me, and I want to change that.

Lee Pryor has taken his window cleaning business and turned it from being something he has to maintain and do, to a business that in effect runs itself and he can start to enjoy the rewards from that.

You know I want the same as Lee. To be able to sit in my PJ’s (if need be) whilst the business is paying for me and my family. That’s what I want; but I need to work and get off my backside, stop feeling sorry for myself and go and grow the business in a way that works.

Problem is if I’m being honest I’m….Scared. I’m scared of being more successful than I need to be.

I need to get over that fear; I know what I need to do

[dazmond]

I reckon you couldn't handle the stress of building more than a one man business Marc and you'd end up having a nervous breakdown.i know I don't handle stress very well(being a former alcoholic).

What other things do u do apart from windows cleaning? (as in hobbies, Interests?)
I'm off to the gym now. I'll be back later.....

[AuRavelling79]

Set yourself or your loved ones rewards based on performance. Small gifts. Meals out. Days out. Weekends away. Regularly.

[Smudger]

Mark - it can be done - i had days like you but fortunately i took on a lad - it worked then took on another  i found expanding services a real plus - i left the lads to clean windows while moving into pressure washing - we now offer a full range of external cleaning

BUT don't think having loads of staff and work means an easy life, yes i now rarely clean windows ( neither does Lee i believe ) however keeping all the balls in the air can mean long hours and usually anti social ones to keep on track but it does keep the old brain box ticking away !

i fully recommend expanding if only to avoid the every day regular cleans and hopefully i will get a income when i retire !!

Darran

[CleanClear]

I need to get over that fear; I know what I need to do

Sorry if i got this wrong, but do i recollect you saying you had been previously succesful and somehow it went wrong ?

[Missing Link]

I need to get over that fear; I know what I need to do

There's loads of stuff I don't feel like doing, but I do them anyway.

My point is that you don't need to get over any feelings (like fear), you just need to do what you want to do.

I don't like running much,  but as long as I put on my running shoes and run, my feelings don't matter.

I'm of the 'bring the body and the mind will follow' school of thought.

[Marc Stock]

I need to get over that fear; I know what I need to do

Sorry if i got this wrong, but do i recollect you saying you had been previously succesful and somehow it went wrong ?

Yes it did epicly....

[CleanClear]

I need to get over that fear; I know what I need to do

Sorry if i got this wrong, but do i recollect you saying you had been previously succesful and somehow it went wrong ?

Yes it did epicly....

Well as you say Marc, and i agree you know what you need to do. You're also better placed than many bacause you have been there before and you can't beat experience even if its negative, its still better than no experience. It maybe your previous failure holds you back when it probably shouldn't.

[Lee Pryor]

Each year at this time of the year I set the goals and plan for the following year. My plans usually kick in in April and finish in September.

I suggest you set realistic yearly goals rather than picturing the jump from single operator to a fleet that runs itself. Of course it's possible as I have done just that although we still have 1 more year to achieve the level I set out nearly 2 years ago. (70k a month) the plan for that is in place to start in April. I know when and how many I will employ, marketing campaigns and spend, new customer targets ect.

Be very prepared for unimaginable levels of stress along the way.

It's not all fun and games at my level either. It is indeed a constant juggling act. However it's true that I can walk away for probably a maximum of 2 weeks without a single negative effect in the business or the money.

In the end the only thing that's actually required is to take action and actually get on with making it happen. It's that that separates me from others, I have the ability to be comfortable with breaking a comfort zone routine and be uncomfortable to get the job done. Most people will talk the talk and then do nothing about it because they are comfortable in their routines. The I will do it tomorrow or next week attitude. It's a tomorrow that never comes and then another year passes and nothing has changed, in the mean time I will have 2 more vans on the road.

The fact is you can do it. The only thing stopping you or anyone else is your own mind.

How bad do you want it? I obsess over my goals and absolutely nothing will stop me reaching them. I don't believe this is healthy behaviour but I can't help the way I am.

And breathe haha.

P.S- dry clean, I'm not interested in any opinion you have on me or my business before you pick apart anything I've said. Seems you can't say a nice thing about anyone.

[dazmond]

i like the familiarity of my regular round,the customers(most of em!),the banter,the stunning views(on some of my rural work)the cups of tea and coffee(and biccies occasionally!).id hate to have anybody working with me these days.i much prefer working on my own.its so easy and stress free.start when you want,finish when you want.bliss.

[dazmond]

Each year at this time of the year I set the goals and plan for the following year. My plans usually kick in in April and finish in September.

I suggest you set realistic yearly goals rather than picturing the jump from single operator to a fleet that runs itself. Of course it's possible as I have done just that although we still have 1 more year to achieve the level I set out nearly 2 years ago. (70k a month) the plan for that is in place to start in April. I know when and how many I will employ, marketing campaigns and spend, new customer targets ect.

Be very prepared for unimaginable levels of stress along the way.

It's not all fun and games at my level either. It is indeed a constant juggling act. However it's true that I can walk away for probably a maximum of 2 weeks without a single negative effect in the business or the money.

In the end the only thing that's actually required is to take action and actually get on with making it happen. It's that that separates me from others, I have the ability to be comfortable with breaking a comfort zone routine and be uncomfortable to get the job done. Most people will talk the talk and then do nothing about it because they are comfortable in their routines. The I will do it tomorrow or next week attitude. It's a tomorrow that never comes and then another year passes and nothing has changed, in the mean time I will have 2 more vans on the road.

The fact is you can do it. The only thing stopping you or anyone else is your own mind.

How bad do you want it? I obsess over my goals and absolutely nothing will stop me reaching them. I don't believe this is healthy behaviour but I can't help the way I am.

And breathe haha.

P.S- dry clean, I'm not interested in any opinion you have on me or my business before you pick apart anything I've said. Seems you can't say a nice thing about anyone.

personally i think marc wouldnt be able to handle the stress and it would have a heavy toll on his mental health.

[Bungle]

Each year at this time of the year I set the goals and plan for the following year. My plans usually kick in in April and finish in September.

I suggest you set realistic yearly goals rather than picturing the jump from single operator to a fleet that runs itself. Of course it's possible as I have done just that although we still have 1 more year to achieve the level I set out nearly 2 years ago. (70k a month) the plan for that is in place to start in April. I know when and how many I will employ, marketing campaigns and spend, new customer targets ect.

Be very prepared for unimaginable levels of stress along the way.

It's not all fun and games at my level either. It is indeed a constant juggling act. However it's true that I can walk away for probably a maximum of 2 weeks without a single negative effect in the business or the money.

In the end the only thing that's actually required is to take action and actually get on with making it happen. It's that that separates me from others, I have the ability to be comfortable with breaking a comfort zone routine and be uncomfortable to get the job done. Most people will talk the talk and then do nothing about it because they are comfortable in their routines. The I will do it tomorrow or next week attitude. It's a tomorrow that never comes and then another year passes and nothing has changed, in the mean time I will have 2 more vans on the road.

The fact is you can do it. The only thing stopping you or anyone else is your own mind.

How bad do you want it? I obsess over my goals and absolutely nothing will stop me reaching them. I don't believe this is healthy behaviour but I can't help the way I am.

And breathe haha.

P.S- dry clean, I'm not interested in any opinion you have on me or my business before you pick apart anything I've said. Seems you can't say a nice thing about anyone.

I hope you're feeling a lot better now chum.

[Lee Pryor]

Yes thanks just a week of the flu, now my office manager is off with it and 2 of our cleaners. Luckily we have natures proven business model working for us- safety in numbers. Office is still covered and the other cleaners get bigger worksheets to prop up the turnover. My point last week which seemed to be lost on most people on here was, a cold or flu with a week off is one thing, but what about a major illness or injury that comes out of the blue and puts someone out for months? I think a lot on here would be suprised how customers loyalty only stretches so far if no one is turning up for months.

[dazmond]

Yes thanks just a week of the flu, now my office manager is off with it and 2 of our cleaners. Luckily we have natures proven business model working for us- safety in numbers. Office is still covered and the other cleaners get bigger worksheets to prop up the turnover. My point last week which seemed to be lost on most people on here was, a cold or flu with a week off is one thing, but what about a major illness or injury that comes out of the blue and puts someone out for months? I think a lot on here would be suprised how customers loyalty only stretches so far if no one is turning up for months.

whats the point in worrying about something that might never happen?if your dying of cancer i dont think you d be able to run your business either!

a broken leg or arm would heal within a couple of months so no problems.i doubt id lose any work and id be ok financially.

[Marc Stock]

Some good advice guys.

Think CleanClear has hit the nail on the head. Im scared of being successful and losing it again due to a bad decision somewhere along the line.

I gotta push through that and refocus. Apply what i learned and make a change to my thought process.

Small goals is what i need.  I work 4  days a week, on a 4 week month. I average around £300-350 per day turnover when i am working, all my work is well priced i have no jobs below £20 and i know i could easily pay someone £16 per hour. Im thinking ill start with 1 van and a part time employee and go from there perhaps?

I need to do something about it soon the thought of doing this job for another 14 years like i am right now makes me shudder.

[CleanClear]

My point last week which seemed to be lost on most people on here was, a cold or flu with a week off is one thing, but what about a major illness or injury that comes out of the blue and puts someone out for months? I think a lot on here would be suprised how customers loyalty only stretches so far if no one is turning up for months.

Wasn't lost on me Lee. Above and beyond the "i don't need the money"...... i say that lightly, we all need money. There is a suprising network of cleaners that has come about that happens even now, other cleaners clean other cleaners work for them , even their direct competition. Sounds crazy doesn't it,  but thats true and happens now. Small bands of single operators supporting each other who are in the same boat.

[Slacky]

My point last week which seemed to be lost on most people on here was, a cold or flu with a week off is one thing, but what about a major illness or injury that comes out of the blue and puts someone out for months? I think a lot on here would be suprised how customers loyalty only stretches so far if no one is turning up for months.

Wasn't lost on me Lee. Above and beyond the "i don't need the money"...... i say that lightly, we all need money. There is a suprising network of cleaners that has come about that happens even now, other cleaners clean other cleaners work for them , even their direct competition. Sounds crazy doesn't it,  but thats true and happens now. Small bands of single operators supporting each other who are in the same boat.

I don’t think your point was lost on anyone last week. Most of the fellas on here prefer to be ‘workers’, when one of the ‘hob-nobs’ pops their head up they get what’s being dished out at the time.

Maybe you’ve lost sight of that being how it works, being all Fools and Horses like.

All the best, Rodney.

[Stoots]

The thing that motivates me to want to grow a business is the feeling of not living up to my full potential.

I would hate to get to retirement and having just worked all my life and not got anything the show for it. Or look back on my life and think I could have done this or that.

Also the message it send to my kids and people around me. I want my kids to believe they can do anything and set an example that when you set your mind to something you can achieve it. Of you want something go get it, not rely on a job or rest in your laurels etc.

I can't understand the mentality of having a full round and then just cleaning it for years and years over and over.. that sounds so boring, why would you not want more from life? I don't get it, but maybe that's what separates some of us from others, everyone is different.

[Dry Clean]

Each year at this time of the year I set the goals and plan for the following year. My plans usually kick in in April and finish in September.

I suggest you set realistic yearly goals rather than picturing the jump from single operator to a fleet that runs itself. Of course it's possible as I have done just that although we still have 1 more year to achieve the level I set out nearly 2 years ago. (70k a month) the plan for that is in place to start in April. I know when and how many I will employ, marketing campaigns and spend, new customer targets ect.

Be very prepared for unimaginable levels of stress along the way.

It's not all fun and games at my level either. It is indeed a constant juggling act. However it's true that I can walk away for probably a maximum of 2 weeks without a single negative effect in the business or the money.

In the end the only thing that's actually required is to take action and actually get on with making it happen. It's that that separates me from others, I have the ability to be comfortable with breaking a comfort zone routine and be uncomfortable to get the job done. Most people will talk the talk and then do nothing about it because they are comfortable in their routines. The I will do it tomorrow or next week attitude. It's a tomorrow that never comes and then another year passes and nothing has changed, in the mean time I will have 2 more vans on the road.

The fact is you can do it. The only thing stopping you or anyone else is your own mind.

How bad do you want it? I obsess over my goals and absolutely nothing will stop me reaching them. I don't believe this is healthy behaviour but I can't help the way I am.

And breathe haha.

P.S- dry clean, I'm not interested in any opinion you have on me or my business before you pick apart anything I've said. Seems you can't say a nice thing about anyone.

I couldn't care less what your interested in if I think your talking crap I will say so just as I would with anybody else, that said
I'm not sure what Iv said lately to ruffle your feathers.

[Marc Stock]

The thing that motivates me to want to grow a business is the feeling of not living up to my full potential.

I would hate to get to retirement and having just worked all my life and not got anything the show for it. Or look back on my life and think I could have done this or that.

Also the message it send to my kids and people around me. I want my kids to believe they can do anything and set an example that when you set your mind to something you can achieve it. Of you want something go get it, not rely on a job or rest in your laurels etc.

I can't understand the mentality of having a full round and then just cleaning it for years and years over and over.. that sounds so boring, why would you not want more from life? I don't get it, but maybe that's what separates some of us from others, everyone is different.

Exactly this Adam. I think many are at that stage, including me and it seems like an epic leap forward to cross over from being the worker to managing a team of workers.

Its a daunting thought.