I like my job again
 

Been a long time since I have been able to say that. I made a bunch of changes to how I run my place over the last few years, and seems like it is finally paying off.
I may make a little less money sometimes, but it is a good payoff. Used to feel like the extra $ came at a cost to my sanity, and my soul.
I've been stressed out, and pissed off for 20 some years up till recent times
Would love to hear from the long haul self employed guys , about where you are at in your life, how much you work and if you are still happy or not.
would I do it over again? not sure..

Congrats... I remember reading numerous posts here about your frustrations, what did you change to make it better?

Good to hear Fred.

As a fellow self-employed business owner - I can relate.

I've been working on the same thing over the past year or so. Although I love what I do, I felt I was getting very burned out.

I finally realized the key was to turn certain jobs down and let certain clients go.

The phrase that best sums up this approach is to do business ON YOUR TERMS!

Have fun and keep charging!

Pretty similar to what Baz did. Realized that that there are some jobs, that I simply do not want to do. Pretty much eliminated "wait customers " except for maybe one state inspection first thing in the am. a day or two per week.
Take some time for myself. you simply cannot run on the ragged edge , working 7 days a week for 20 years without some repercussions
Instead of filling my schedule with mediocre work I try to leave a little wiggle room so that when the good ones come along, I can scoop them right up .
I have been working on more Porsches, and cool cars instead of rusty caravans. I will still do whatever it takes to make a living, but I used to have to put work off on P cars, and cool stuff, because I was just so damn overwhelmed with the ever day grind.
I think what it really comes down to is realizing that it is my place, and my life, and I need to run it in a fashion that works for me. I will come in late if I have to, and leave early if I want . If I need , I work some night hours, to catch up, and get some peace and quiet.
I find that I am able to deliver better service when I am happy and well adjusted. I really like how things have been flowing over the last 6 months.

Well, I wish we were closer. I have an easy for someone that knows what they are doing job on a '71.

Glad you are finding a solution.

Have you heard of the 80/20 rule ?

I'm a VP for a large gov contracting firm ($4B) and have determined that wether it's employee or customers, 80% of my time is dedicated to 20% of my problem employees or difficult customers. The key is to decrease the 20%. Sounds like that is what you are doing.

BTW, I have contemplated leaving the corporate world many times to open a shop, but it hasn't been feasible .
I envy those that do what is their passion.

MattR

I have been on my own for 15 years now. It has been very good to me, but I am more of a start up guy. I bore with routine. I have been trying to get out/retire for 5 years now. It is a unique business and hasn't proven too easy to sell. I finally decided to pay a strong salary to get someone me to handle 80% of my day to day carp. I am down to a couple hours a week now and work remotely. This is the year that I finally get out...my NY resolution. Life is too short and enough money is enough. Good luck to you.

Rules to live by.. But now I spend 80% of my time trying to eliminate that 20% because of the reduced headcount.

It's interesting to me to read about the "envy" folks with corporate jobs have for those who are pursuing their passion.

My FIL makes A LOT of $, is a CEO of a global company everyone here knows, and tells me the exact same thing about how he envys and is amazed at the tenacity of those who follow their passion and make their own way.

Does this thought stem from the idea that they work for huge companies who provide a stable paycheck so long as the employee checks their boxes?

I'm turning 30 this month and am digging deep to determine my direct for the remainder of my career, it will likely be me making my own way.

Glad things are looking up for you Fred!

Good for you, and good for Fred for doing what makes you happy.

I am convinced the world is made up of two different personality types, "ers" and "ees" - employers and employees. If you have the "er" personality you will never be happy as an "ee." Conversely, if you are happy going to work for someone else you will never be comfortable out on the limb of entrepreneurship.

I can relate, having been in a small (10-20 ppl) family business for almost my entire career. My income goes up and down quite a bit and I've experienced some unbelievably stressful periods and events: Financial struggles, horrible customers, toxic employees, the whole nine yards. But even though I don't have exclusive control over this business I can't imagine going to work for somebody else. The flexibility and autonomy to pursue different opportunities and projects is crucial to me and well worth the other trade-offs.

The world has also changed dramatically to further create and support the "ers". The internet, the ease in international banking and the ease in sourcing and transportation of goods throughout the world has made it much easier to take charge of your own destiny. I started a "virtual" business (no employees) 15 years ago after being a corporate guy. It was a much faster way to create wealth and to get out of the race. It wouldn't have been nearly as possible without these changes.

There are new ways to do business and make money that are drastically different from the traditional business structures of old. It helps to understand the traditional business model and exploit its weaknesses.

Mike

Good thread Fred(pun unintended!). Got a PPI done a couple of days ago at an indy shop owned by two partners and one employee looked after the front end. What vibes I got were entirely positive. The front end guy said he almost quit the auto industry because of the dishonesty. Here he found a job where he obviously respected his two bosses. The shop was clean and there was not a lineup of cars waiting to be worked on. There were no beaters sitting outside with weeds growing around them. He said they were getting a lot of referrals and business is good. In the downturn of the oil industry he said people hang onto to their cars longer and get them fixed up.

What I really liked was that the mechanic/owner took me into the garage and showed me everything about the Miata, what he looked for in a Miata including if it had any accidents etc. I liked the personal touch and the honesty. I am sure you do all that Fred and thought you would like to know how other shops operate.
:)