I'm tired of
working 60Hr weeks, every week
being beet up over price for every project
clients that expect a project 2 days before you promised it
having less resources and money than I did 5 years ago
not being able to give raises to employees
the banker calling and stopping in to see me every month
working for realtors
hoping that next week / next moth will be better
architects who want a DWG of a survey you did 3 years ago
clients that say 'I'd love to use you but can you drop your fee'
making less money than a plumber
clients that don't pay their bills
being looked at as a blue collar worker
working for realtors
having to cut my prices to secure a project
feeling like I'm on the edge of precipice
being sick to my tummy twice a month during payroll
hoping that next year is better
Bob,
Maybe it might be worth considering to keep your prices where you want and respond to whom it is beneficial, and cut the rest of the mess out of your life. If you are working 60 hours a week and have a lot of payroll, you might find that you can make just as much money (or more) working 40 hours a week by yourself or with a helper or two. Sounds radical, but if you are not happy, maybe you will find this as an option. It is scary, but it might work well for you. My $0.02 anyway.
If it's any consolation, I know you are not alone- I have heard many of the items you list being repeated by others in our profession. The wonderful "race to the bottom" that has been propogated in the last few years will take some time to put behind us and has certainly contributed to a number of the issues you list.
Hang in there and hoping things get better for you soon-
Chuck
If things are not working for you then some kind of change is in order.
I recommend the book "who moved my cheese", ten years on the best seller list, easy to read, and gets you thinking.
If you are doing mostly mortgage surveys these days, I recommend that you stop doing that as soon as possible.
Been there, felt like that.
It changed.....for the better.
so true Bob...
i wish that i could magically remove your pain; but your situation is the staus quo for most of us - i believe
if it's flat out crippling you and ruining your health and finances with no relief in sight, hang on some more until you can't and plan your exit.
i hope and pray that you and your loved ones have a great Christmas Season.
Get away from our professional madness for a time, enjoy the spirit and love of the season, and refresh.
all the best,
david
You know - sometimes we are are own worst enemies
(myself included)
You (we) have only yourself to blame.
-
You know what makes me sad?
YOU DO!
Maybe we should just chug on over to Mamby Pampy Land!
Where MAYBE we can find some self confidence for you!
-
-
Just Saying
-
-
I think we can all relate. I sure can.
I've been in business for myself five times since 1984. Every time I decide to knock it in the head, I swear I'll never do it again...with ALL of the symptoms you've described.
All I can say is that I love the work. I hate running a business, I'm apparently not the best at being business-minded, but I love surveying.
I'm really not too sure that our profession lends itself to any particular business model. I've seen my contemporaries grow large organizations that for a while are very successful, but they seem to always 'deflate' at some point in time.
My formula now is to pay attention to what makes me happy and what makes me money. Keep the overhead low. If you're equipment is paid for you can always put it in a closet and go fishing til things look up.
I turn down work for work's sake. I've been around long enough to recognize the jobs that will turn into a headache and which ones will be fun and challenging. As a professional you have the right AND responsibility to yourself to keep away from situations that extend too much liability and return little or no money.
Take a long walk through the woods and decide for yourself what would be the "perfect" setup...then steer in that direction.
Good Luck
For anyone who might not know 6th is quoting R. Lee Ermy from a TV commercial.
I forget what the commercial is about but it is hilarious none the less.
In any event, you know the ole saying:
"They height of insanity is expecting different results from the same action(s)."
sorry brother-your boat is full, ain't going to get any better, sorry to say--these are the good times enjoy them--tdd
hey Ted..
Much snow yet around the corner in your neck of the woods?
hey Ted..
That look like it's near Buena Vista, Co.
hey Ted..
Yes, Chaffee County Rd. 306, or 361...sometimes me and the dog take some long walks from Norman.
hey Ted..
I was gonna guess Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is west of there, just over Tincup...a ways.
> You know - sometimes we are are own worst enemies
> (myself included)
>
> You (we) have only yourself to blame.
>
> -
>
> You know what makes me sad?
> YOU DO!
>
> Maybe we should just chug on over to Mamby Pampy Land!
> Where MAYBE we can find some self confidence for you!
>
> -
> -
>
> Just Saying
>
> -
> -
that is funny. you are the biggest whiner around. pot meet kettle.
florissant, colorado- no snow - been warm
great winter- changed oil in vw and generator--no jacket required--
only used 200 gals of fuel for house since sept 28th--last yr at this time i used 500 gallons-- HAARP is good !!! tdd
[flash width=480 height=385] http://www.youtube.com/v/wRu9UVCVdwc?fs=1&hl=en_US [/flash]
I'm in agreement with Snoop here. 6th regularly posts complaints about other surveyors cutting their rates, cutting corners, clients wanting cheap prices....
Maybe he knows the way to mamby pamby land.
> sorry brother-your boat is full, ain't going to get any better, sorry to say--these are the good times enjoy them--tdd
- Enjoy these good times -
That train had been on those tracks for a long time
12 ILC's a day - No more