[The Jester of Wibbly]

So what's your biggest cause of stress in this game?

I know the story is different between those who employ and who don't.

For me I have had some high level management blue-chip jobs that came with a shed load of stress.  I am glad to be away from it as it pushed my blood pressure to the max.

So since being a wc I have lost all those stress levels and sleepless nights.  (well at least after spending many years building a comfortable round anyway) Our industry does not come close to others roles with regard to stress levels in my eyes.

So, for me my biggest stresses these days revolve around bad weather,  late payers (rare) and the worry of equipment failure.  Pathetic really in comparison.

I dont think I will ever bother with employing again.  I just don't want the extra hastle being content on my own.

[SB Cleaning]

I was only stressed when employing...it's a right headache and just not worth it, better off on my own 

[Perfect Windows]

So, for me my biggest stresses these days revolve around bad weather,  late payers (rare) and the worry of equipment failure. 

The first one's daft as a source of worry. Dress warm and dry then just work.

Late payers. Why do they worry you?  Just have a system for chasing them, follow it and don't take debt personally.

Equipment. Double up on everything. Two pumps, two reels, an old pole for standby and a backup source of pure already arranged. Then you have nothing to worry about.

Vin

[dazmond]

compared to landscape gardening or nursery work(plants,trees,etc)working 55-60 hour weeks for crap money window cleaning is a breeze....

a lot of stress can be avoided by being organised with EVERYTHING to do with your business from keeping your books up to date,having plenty of spares,emergency fund,keeping on top of debtlists/worklists etc.....cleaner planner helps greatly with all of this...

an example is i bought some resin back in early december 2018 and ive not needed to use it until today so no last min panic,i have plenty of spares,poles,brushes,connectors,hose reel and hose(including pole hose),business cards,leaflets,even A4 paper,ink and envelopes!

this afternoon ive already scheduled all my work for the next 4 weeks on CP and reshuffled a few jobs here and there to fit into my planned schedule.....and im already thinking about booking my van in for its annual service in early feb on a light week workwise......

[zesty]

It’s funny you should create this post...

I’ve been decorating the house this week, and while preparing the walls, cleaning up and then painting etc, I’ve been thinking:

 ‘there is no way I could be a painter and decorator, such faff, such mess, and believe it or not, it’s actuallly harder work’

Makes me realise what a great job we have.

1. It’s clean (for the most part)

2. Fairly easy.

3. No clear up/packing away

4. Hardly anything to set up for the day

5. Not in the same place for a week or so like other trades.

6. The money!

 

[Stoots]

Late/non payers, cancellations and Messer's.

Not really stress but annoying.

Stressfull starting out when trying to make ends meet but once established not really.

Running out of resin, equipment breaking, van breaking, weather I suppose could be stressfull

But it's only stressfull if you let it, most issues are resolved in a few days at most so why stress.

Breaking a leg or health concern would be stressfull.

I would say the biggest problem with this job is depression, probably due to the solitude.

[Spotfree]

I am slightly concerned I may go soft, from such an easy life!

[dazmond]

the reason why i work short hours window cleaning is theres the end of day jobs to do as well,this afternoon i changed my resin,purified my water and put batteries on charge,washed van,topped up screenwash,uploaded/downloaded worksheets for next week,printed invoices for monday,washed scrims/microfibres(a weeks worth).....im all set for monday now.....

[dazmond]

I am slightly concerned I may go soft, from such an easy life!

weight training 3 times a week,playing drums and being in a relationship with my missus makes sure my life isnt TOO easy!

[dazmond]

a bit of stress is good for you........it keeps you on your toes.......

[John Mart]

Customers.

I’m getting better but I hate rudeness and liars and do take it personally. I’m ok with late payers except the ones that owe on a first clean.

The job is as stressful as any other non emergency type job.

[Missing Link]

I’m getting better but I hate rudeness and liars and do take it personally.

Drop them; straight away.

I can't remember any customer being rude to me, or lying.  Not in the recent past anyway; I fell out with one customer a few years back because he was an idiot.  But even then he was civil; just stupid.

A suggestion might be that if customers are regularly rude or lie to you, take a look at yourself and ask why this is.

[nathankaye]

The main stress is being seriously ill and off work for a period of time and thats all really.
Ive stopped playing football now as ive a couple of sporting injuries and they can easily flare up after a good game of footie and ive needed several days off. But thats fine, its if it becomes a more serious injury or if serious ill health comes along.

[Spruce]

For me we have very little bad debt - a few late payers but we only get a couple of no payers or skippers a year. So no stress there.

The stress for me is having too many customers for me to handle so always being behind. Its health and age related.

The down side of this job for me is the lack of mental stimulus. I'm going brain dead; is it an age related thing or a lack of mental stimulus?

[Spotfree]

For me we have very little bad debt - a few late payers but we only get a couple of no payers or skippers a year. So no stress there.

The stress for me is having too many customers for me to handle so always being behind. Its health and age related.

The down side of this job for me is the lack of mental stimulus. I'm going brain dead; is it an age related thing or a lack of mental stimulus?

You need to spruce things up a little.

[Spotfree]

I am slightly concerned I may go soft, from such an easy life!

weight training 3 times a week,playing drums and being in a relationship with my missus makes sure my life isnt TOO easy!

My 3 hobbies ae weightlifting, kickboxing and window cleaning. I love my life. My missus is no hard work at all, quite the opposite.

[John Mart]

I’m getting better but I hate rudeness and liars and do take it personally.

Drop them; straight away.

I can't remember any customer being rude to me, or lying.  Not in the recent past anyway; I fell out with one customer a few years back because he was an idiot.  But even then he was civil; just stupid.

A suggestion might be that if customers are regularly rude or lie to you, take a look at yourself and ask why this is.

Because I’m a guy in the office. It’s lying more than rudeness. The rudeness tends to be in texts more.

[Spotfree]

I’m getting better but I hate rudeness and liars and do take it personally.

Drop them; straight away.

I can't remember any customer being rude to me, or lying.  Not in the recent past anyway; I fell out with one customer a few years back because he was an idiot.  But even then he was civil; just stupid.

A suggestion might be that if customers are regularly rude or lie to you, take a look at yourself and ask why this is.

Because I’m a guy in the office. It’s lying more than rudeness. The rudeness tends to be in texts more.

I can sometimes take things a little personaly, I get over it mcuh quicker nowadays as I've realised it wont change anything. It's just the window cleaning "game".

[LT carpet cleaning]

I am slightly concerned I may go soft, from such an easy life!

weight training 3 times a week,playing drums and being in a relationship with my missus makes sure my life isnt TOO easy!

My 3 hobbies ae weightlifting, kickboxing and window cleaning. I love my life. My missus is no hard work at all, quite the opposite.

Window cleaning is a hobby! 

[Spotfree]

I am slightly concerned I may go soft, from such an easy life!

weight training 3 times a week,playing drums and being in a relationship with my missus makes sure my life isnt TOO easy!

My 3 hobbies ae weightlifting, kickboxing and window cleaning. I love my life. My missus is no hard work at all, quite the opposite.

Window cleaning is a hobby! 

Better that than a chore