[Tom White]

I am just finding the actual work, mind numbingly boring and have decided to do a degree/college course of some kind to get some mental stimulation elsewhere. so wc for paying the bills and something else for my brain.

I do similar Tom.  I'm doing a two-year foundation course in Buddhism, Gelug, which is extremely scholastic.  I'm currently working my way through the four different Tibetan schools versions of The Two Truths (the nature of reality), and it's mind-bending stuff.  Academically, I'm not stupid, but I'm finding this course really challenging.  But it's easy to plan my study around work.

I also find an MP3 player loaded with the right kind of stuff that interests me is great; I love turning up at a big job where it's safe to use an MP3 player and customers aren't going to hassle me with stuff like trying to pay me, and I can listen to something course related, or anything that takes my fancy.  There's loads of good podcasts on BBC4 or talking books and the like.

[Pope vader]

motivation is hard in this job,   i got 2 full days left this week, plus a day of new hotels and i cant be bothered to get up and go out,  one minute the suns shining nexts its lashing down,  might go back bed and try and wake up in a better mood

[supernova77]

To average £700 a week gross (£500 net after costs and tax) you need to do £200 a day on the days you do work.

You have to be really organised, not waste time collecting, work in showery conditions and get out of bed every workday prepared to work.

That's the best advice I've seen on the forum in ages. 

I'm sure all of us at times lack motivation, find the work boring, have problem customers etc... But you just have to work through it - If you don't then your cash flow will suffer which gives you more problems!

Andy

[Justen Uff]

To average £700 a week gross (£500 net after costs and tax) you need to do £200 a day on the days you do work.

You have to be really organised, not waste time collecting, work in showery conditions and get out of bed every workday prepared to work.

Thats this week blown then!

[Paddy Woods]

To average £700 a week gross (£500 net after costs and tax) you need to do £200 a day on the days you do work.

You have to be really organised, not waste time collecting, work in showery conditions and get out of bed every workday prepared to work.

Thats this week blown then!


 

[rob thomas]

I think you must do what ever suits you but for me I have tried other things and personally nothing compares to "the windows", time off, freedom, money etc..... 

[boldy1304]

is it that bad boldy, u wanting out

sort of yeah ive just sold my pressure washing set up and the guy is interested in my wfp set up if i decide to sell. my problem is i rent alot of work as i moved away after i split with the wife got rid of all i owned and then i moved back 3 year ago i rent alot of my old stuff back motervation is 0 at the mo i find it hard to work past 1pm slightest bit of rain and i pack up working on my own is so boring i need to kick my own arse 

[EWCServices]

keep at it mate,domestic window cleaning is about to be revolutionised due to mobile phone wallets,they reckon by 2015 almost everyone will be paying for small purchases via thir phones and this will be the end of chasing up customers imo all you need to do is have all your customers mobile numbers and txt them when their cleaned and they can send your payment via txt i for one cant frikkin wait.

[richard jagger]

This is a very honest thread. Its good to discuss all side to this job.This should be sticky as it will send a more truthful view of this industry.Maybe more guys will think twice before they join up and falter after a few months or years. Its not always a bed of roses.It is bloody hard work that can be boring at time with lots of frustrations.
Some times the golden lining is flashed to much.
It amazes me how some are just egotistical and need recognition for what they do and a very slanted view is created of this industry and we still have not got to the bull poo yet.

[TomCrowther]

That sounds like a pretty tough subject Tosh. Is it where you get your Zen like serenity?

[Londoner]

I'm so laid back when I am working I have to set myself targets to try and keep motovated.
Thats how I do it

[mlscontractcleaner]

I think being self employed in any job is hard at times; being strict with yourself when it comes to time keeping is my biggest problem. Every night I think, " Right matey, up at 4am for a 5am start; £200 by just after lunch time and plenty of time left to get to the gym."

At 7am the next morning I'm promising myself that TOMORROW I'll be up at 4am................... :

It sounds easy in theory but when you don't have a boss - apart from the one laying next to me when I wake up - to kick you up the arse now and again you just have to give yourself a good kicking to keep yourself going.

BUT, in all honesty, when I was employed I could never have afforded the holidays we take as a family now. I work seriously hard and we have money to spend; it's taken 20 years to reach that level but we have a nice, comfortable lifestyle and I can still take a day off when needed without ringing in sick

[groundhog]

Keep up the doom and gloom lads!!! This should put off all those newbies we have been foolishly encouraging to take up window cleaning ever since the forum started!!! 

[Wrekin C S]

was working today & got these voices in my head saying this isnt worth it 
ok you make say £130 (£60-70 if lucky u pick up on day,then the collecting 'the chase' i call it!) do we with honesty with all taken away,make a decent living??
your van/car/liability tax insurance,wet/very cold days,materials,petrol etc etc

somedays i love it but @ times if someone offerd me a job for £500 take home id jump @ it.
is there anyone else had these days? & what do you tell yourself ?? or am i the only one 

Maybe you just need a good holiday matey and take some chill time 

[alanwilson]

to add to what I said, if its £130 a day after tax and costs then actually thats pretty good - but if its before tax and costs then you need to sit down and look at what is holding you back.

When you have a van to run, equipment to pay for and no paid holidays etc then you need to be making more.

For example

139 a day = £650 a week

44 working weeks = £28600

not too shabby?  it all depends on your outgoings.

Don't be afraid to charge more - we always have and have found that the customers that will pay more are the same customers who give very little hassle.

Either way, don't get downhearted - its a great job if you want to keep it as a job but its also a great business if you want to have it as a business.

If it helps, we go hell for leather 1st two weeks of each month, and the last 2 weeks are leisurely - very often take the last week off entirely (on top of holidays) - maybe you could try the same.

Keep going

[g.brookes]

My motivational tip is when I get a new job, i take one months value of the job, and I spend it at the weekend.  So if i get a job worth a tenner a month, i allow myself to blow that on whatever i like on the weekend.  if i dont get any new work, then i have to be sensible.  I find that really motivates me to keep goin and doin a good job, hoping for recommendations or new jobs

[windowswashed]

The grass is always greener on the other side? You only get out of it what you put into it. I took 3 weeks off this
Last working month due to lack of motivation with the exception of commercial work. All the bills and money running out soon got me motivated to get out of the rut I was in and stop feeling sorry for myself as my customers rely on me and I depend on them to pay for my bills and social life. Self motivation is paramount to running a good self employed job.

[Londoner]

BILLS! yes thats pretty good motivation.

[alanwilson]

being stuck in the house with Mrs. Boss - I don't need any motivation to get out there!!

[A & J Owen Window Cleaning]

ITS A MATTER OF GETTING OUT THERE AND DOIN A GOOD JOB FOR THESE CUSTOMERS. AS MOTIVATION GOES YOU ARE YOUR OWN BOSS AT THE END OF THE DAY. POD HOW MANY CUSTOMERS DO YOU HAVE AND WAT IS IT YOU CHARGE THEM.