weekends

[Charles]

How many of you take saturday and sunday off?. And why? I try to make this arrangement every year. I have never worked on Sunday. But never been able to have saturday off the whole season. I got all my work done this week mon-fri. I know we get the some of the winter off but unless you have banked enough money to go to the bahamas to live for awhile. There is really nothing to do. As I approach 40. I am getting antsy about spending the beautiful summer months working all the time. I spend Sunday cleaning and maintaining the equipment or washing the vehicles, paying bills etc. I am going to try and do that saturday morning and just enjoy life the rest of the day and sunday before I am too old to do that GO to the lake etc. I have read that workaholism is just as bad a alcholism. The saying that money can't buy you happiness is true. Especially when you have to sacrifice 6 days a week of your life to get it. Money as we know makes life more tolerable. But I think people need a balance between work and recreation. Work too much and ignore your wife/girlfriend/kids/your health and they are soon gone. Well I am going to try and stop and smell the roses.

[dfor]

I try not to work weekends. I don't schedule any lawns for a Saturday. If I get backed up I will do the misc. jobs that I can't get to during the week. Some may say it's too much to give up, but I need the balance. My gravestone won't say "should have spent more time with family"

[EarthWorks]

I hardly ever work Sat or Sun. When people ask if I do I just say life is too short. I have too many hobbies and a family. What good is the money if you can't enjoy it now. When my grandpa died my grandma told me- He was a great provider but he never knew his kids. And he was a farmer. I took this to heart.

[GrassMaster]

Hello:<p>You guys are right, I've been there & done that.<p>Working the kind of work you have to do 5 days a week & 8 to 10 hours a day is enough. <p>If your paying others overtime to do this, you aren't getting much, for more money. <p>Quality of work & amount of work reduces drastically. It's sort of like throwing money in the fire.<p>40 or 50 hours a week in 5 days is enough, if you can't make it in that amount of time, you might need to try to find out what is wrong?<p>Yes, I've worked way more hours than that & did it for years, LOL I did it at other companies expense not mine. No way I'm forking out more for less. Life is to short & I'm to smart!<p>Money is work divided by time!<p>----------<br>GrassMaster - Home: www.lawnservicing.com<br>My Start Up Page www.lawnservicing.com/startup/

[Bobby]

Charles, of all the posts on this forum, In my opinion, this is the most important advice offered.It's easy to live in the future. One day were gona have this,or that , and it's gona be great. But we sacrifice today for it. Be wise and manage your life, not just your buiseness.<p>----------<br>Bobby <br>Ft Lauderdale

[Ssouth]

I hate to work on the weekends. Sometimes it can't be avoided. If I see that I'm getting behind I'll work harder and longer just to be off Sat. and Sun. If I do work on Sat. I try to make it just a half day. Today I had to do two lawns that I couldn't get to this week. Guess what, I slept an extra hour then did my jobs. Was done by 11:00 and had time the rest of the day for me and my wife.

[HOMER]

Seems I work every Saturday that rolls in. Tried to get off to a good start this year by bringing on a full time helper. That ain't working out too well because he always has problems of one kind or another. I had one real good week and that has been all, actually did take that Saturday off. I have 5 schools to cut as well and it's hard to do them during the week. As soon as school is out I'm gonna give it another whirl. I have thought about thinning out or either not taking on any more accounts but if the people want to go with a yearly plan it's hard to turn that work down. I'm going to work harder at refining my route, becoming more efficient at the entire operation, and hope we can take at least one or two off during the month!<p>Homer

[osc]

Charles:<br>I haven't had a day off since the middle of March and I'm getting real bitter about it. I am trying to work toward having weekends off also but untill I get some keeper employees, I'm stuck. <br>My problem is learning to say no to new business and be satisfied with the money I already earn and the business I already have.<br>I have employees but not enough.<br>Bad thing is that when I took time off last year I felt guilty about it. I have no doubt that I am sick.<br>

[Barkleymut]

Its now Sunday morning and I am reading the new posts before I head out to mow 2 small commercial properties and then go plant several bushes. Like OSC said, If I don't work I feel guilty. One day this week I hope to work a half day but I have some big projects to complete for customers that have been waiting over a month. If there is money to be made you'd better believe I'm gonna be outside. The funniest thing is when someone calls on a Wednesday at noon and I answer the phone at home they assume I am a slacker! If they only knew what our bodies go through. They sit in front of a computer or even better they are swinging golf clubs all day. But I'm not bitter, I chose this line of work and am thankful that I have been successful. Maybe next year I will hire someone in the Spring.

[MOW ED]

I try not to work on weekends but have done it on Saturdays only and only in times of being behind. Most customers are residential and they are out in the yards and I don't want to be the uninvited guest. Sundays are a big no for work. <br>Spring is crush time for all of us. It gets a little overwhelming. The thing is, I sit in all winter and can't wait until spring. Then spring comes and I'm wishing that the summer dormant season starts. Keep the good things in mind if you are really tight for free time. You could be working in a hot factory or be stuck inside an office. <br>What we do is work, hard work most times but I like it. Good Luck.

[Charles]

WOW! What a difference. Now I did feel a ting of guilt not loading up and going to work yesterday(saturday). But that went away fast. About mid day I had a dreaded feeling that man I gotta work tomm and i still have stuff to do now. No I dont because its only going to be Sunday lol. I had a great week working 8 til 6:30 last week and I feel that I will be even more productive next week that I am more rested and have something to look forward to. Having 2 days off in a row gives you a good attitude adjustment and a better outlook. The guilt that I felt and in the above post is part of workaholism. Too much of anything will burn you out quick.

[thelawnguy]

I worked all this weekend. First and last time (not counting the snow). Took me twice as long as it should have, all the supervisors coming over, why are you doing this, why are you doing that, just shut up and bring me a glass of water. <p><br>I swore I wouldnt work wekends, kept to it the past 8 years, figured Id pack in a high profit lawn reno this weekend, anybody wrestle with a 450 lb rental Ryan overseeder(worn bearings, shakes like hell) in 85 degree heat with the neighborhood busybodys 6 inches away asking a barrage of questions?<p>Jobs done, never again. Weekends are for myself and the family. Dont be ashamed to think the same way.<p>Bill

[lawrence stone]

That Ryan unit is a 450lb POS. Forget trying to turn it around if you are not 265 with 14&quot; forearms.<p>As far as weekend work goes I work 7 days a<br>week from April 1 thru July 1.<p>Bill you should have went to Lesco and rented<br>thier renovator like I did this weekend.<br>I did 5 residential jobs with it yesterday (Sat.) and I was up and out b/4 dawn with it<br>this am (Sunday) and went down to the school district and reseeded all the bare and thin<br>areas in all the fields and was back home by<br>10:30am.<p>If you rent the overseeder for the weekend you get two days usage but pay just one day rental.<p>Better luck next time Bill.

[thelawnguy]

Yeah it wasnt fun. Youve met me Larry, Im a big guy but that dam thing wore me out. Never used one before. Next time Ill try Lesco. The Ryan was 80 for the day, but if the lesco is easier to use Id gladly pay double that.<p>Bill

[lawrence stone]

I made the same mistake as you did by renting<br>a ryan (that was b/4 Lesco came to town).<p>Lesco gets $150/day but the machine is MUCH<br>easier to operate. They cost about $3k new<br>and they have to pad the rental due to the maint. issures associated with rentals.

[Acute Cut]

Too much time at work? I have 3 jobs. One is a full time solo lawn care operation. 60 or so lawns. I &quot;dream&quot; of days off. I like to brag and joke when i get a measly 8 hour day. lol. It isnt so much that i enjoy it, i just live in a moderatly small town and have nothing better to do. All my pals are having to work weekends, so solo weekends aint much fun. No family or G/f to worry about. Oh the joys of being single and free. (sarcastic) I &quot;plan&quot; on trying to save money now so i can enjoy it with a wife later. I am sure none of you think that way. (again sarcastic) Keep up the great job guys and gals. It is tough during crunch time, but when you see your &quot;toys&quot; or the gifts it buys others, just think how nice it feels. And all you had to do was play in the sun all day. Have a good one ya'll.