How do you motivate yourself?

[1MajorTom]

I guess I could post this in any forum, but since we mostly do the lawn maintenance side, I figured I would post it here.

Not at all excited about this upcoming season, going into our 5th year.
Every year we have improved our $ totals, and I'm worried that we might not be able to surpass last year.
Last year we actually had a good amount of play money left over, our first year where we actually bought something fun for ourselves since going into biz. (inground pool, retaining walls, 6 ft vinyl fence for our back yard. Haven't even used the pool yet, just had it installed in the fall.)

Our business runs off of sheer volume, and it is imperative that we make our money the first 3 months. So I started running some figures, and I see we are already down money for the start of this April. We've lost customers due to death and moving, and customers who now want to become homeowners that push Scott spreaders around. (Also we had a couple of small lawn renovations that bumped up our figures.)

I realize we have to make up these numbers, but I'm finding that I'm discouraged about the area we live in.

We have never been flyer pushers. That is just not our gig at all. That is not how we acquired all of our customers. We have sat back each year, ran one advertisement in the newspaper for one day, and the phone would ring and ring.
This year we decided we had targeted the newspaper subscribers enough, and decided to Oh God try and lay out the flyers. But the response sucks compared to what we are used to.
Picking up 8 to 10 customers stinks. I want more like 25 or 30, and I don't see that happening.

So, my question is this... When you start feeling down, how do you get motivated again?
Do you print out last years totals, tape them to the wall, and push yourself to reach for more? Do you ever just reach a point where you realize you probably won't make much more?
I say every year you have to increase your totals due to rising costs or else the business isn't going to succeed.

How do you turn it around and get out of the dumps?

[Barkleymut]

So, my question is this... When you start feeling down, how do you get motivated again?

Really easy, go buy a bunch of new equipment. If you don't make enough money, you don't make payments and your credit goes in the crapper. Now, just do it.

[Randy Scott]

Well, since I'm just beginning my third year, my totals had doubled my second year from the first. So I don't have quite as much time in business as some of you have. I hope to double again this year although there is no doubt the economy is just going to be softer than it has been.

I would say to concentrate on your take home percentage. Find where you can cut costs and put more in your pocket. Fine tune your daily performance and rituals. Just because you don't gross more, doesn't mean you didn't make more. I have held a lot of prices from last year and not raised them this year. I just know that the time and experience with these routes can be trimmed a little. I want to focus on 110% quality and efficiency with my existing customers. Add the new ones to that and just do the best I can. I'm getting pretty decent feed back and sign ups now but it's not a lot of the bigger projects I would like. Some people are going on their own to try and save money. It's really apples to oranges, but you have to be careful how you put things to them. They may eventually call for your help. I just feel that this year, with everything the way it is, we will need to go beyond the norm for superb service, and really focus on retaining existing customers and try to sell them the extras. They will be more likely to spend than new customers. Also, it's cheaper to sell to existing clients than new ones.

And if none of this works, spend $50,000 on a new truck like I did. Let me tell you, I have no other option than to be motivated. Good luck with this season. :)

[Lawn DOG]

I like Chocolate! :D

[Albemarle Lawn]

But sounds like you have advertising issues.

I have an ad in the Yellow Pages. It is $4000.00 a year but man it works. The business just comes and comes and comes. I wish you were local I would send some to you because we can't handle it all!!!

What we really need is more, and better, employees.

My biggest motivational problem relates to employees.

You hire them, often train them at great cost, then they flake out and go work somewhere else. Those are the nice ones.

Then you get the sheer stupidity that comes with some but I have learned to weed that out.

Every once in a blue moon you get a good one. I guess that motivates me.

And customer compliments.

KB

[GraZZmaZter]

I do several things to get motivated when i get down in the dumps about business.

Try exercising. It relieves stress. Good for your body.

Meditation? Clears your mind to help focus on your goals.

Look back and remember why you got into this industry. Remember how excited you were when you cashed your first check from YOUR business! Feel that sence of independence and pride from being in TOTAL control of your destany.

Always remember.... can you name ONE millionare who worked for someone else????? I cant....

[LAWNS AND MOWER]

I can feel your pain Jodi. Being solo, each year I feel as if I have maxed out on the amount I can gross. But, I have learned to drop the less desirable accounts and only pick up profitable accounts. Easier said than done, but in my market, I can afford to be picky. For every new account I pick up, I refuse 5 others. Raising my rates has also helped to nudge up my total gross. Good luck.

[mowngrow]

the way that i get motivated is this:
i take a post-it note with last years totals on it and put it on the sun visor of my truck. i see it first thing in the morning, after lunch and at the end of the day when i just want to go home. i look at it and decide i can do just one more then go home.

[LAWNGODFATHER]

That's the problem with being solo, or 2-3 people and 1 crew, you can only do so much, and it takes to much energy and brain power to get going again.

This is one of the reasons solo or 1 crew will never happen for me again.

Motovation.....Gotta think of the money.....Do you want or need it?

[Spence]

pray

[o-so-n-so]

Filling out deposit tickets motivate me...:) :)

[CO.d 502nd]

I take a good look at two little girls and all their crying gets me real motivated.
Then my hot blooded wife gives me the evil eye and that gets me extremely motivated ;)

[fblandscape]

I would say that if you are not looking forward to going back to your work, try adding some new service to the mix which will have you looking forward to that day. Doing one thing each and every day of the week gets old after a while. I like to mix it up.

[lawnagent]

I can tell you exactly what gets me motivated. It is the thought of all those FACTORY jobs waiting for me out there if I don't!:eek: :eek: :eek:

[Rhett]

I think of the two jobs I have had since retiring. Driving truck 14 days gone and 48 hrs home or if I really don't feel like getting going, about working for the local septic and sewer company. Nothing like the thought of wading around in sewage up to your waist scraping grease off the side of a lift station or pumping septic tanks for 10.50 an hour to get me motivated. Considering the options I love my job.

[BobR]

I think LAWNAGENT has nailed it down (for some of us).. If we don't make it here doing what we REALLY want to do it is back to the salt mines bustin our butt for some jerk who is trying to increase his bottom line at your expense..
I opt for the stress free 'one man show', if you find yourself sliding into a dismal pit just think of how much you liked working for some mega company 30 years for peanuts. Concerned about your bottom line? Give yourself a raise. Lose a few clients, others will replace them at the increased prices. I love my job, going back to a 9-5 is out of the question.
BobR

[jeffex]

Money isn't my only motivation in the lawn business. It IS part of an equation that includes running your own business, customer contact, satisfaction of a job well done, and I love the machines. When I find myself looking at the numbers I remember all the other things I tried to cover my wifes income when she quit her job to raise our son. I love the work and the pay ain't bad.
Sounds like your motivation needs to come from achievements at the business mgt. level. I have a full time job now as well as my lawn business. However, I was self employed right out of college when I started my first business. You might consider training and learning how to take your business to the next level where you might find the challenge that Will get you out of bed in the am. There is a great article in PRO magazine about entrepenuraholics who quest for the next great idea. I am guilty of that . After reading the article I have vowed to fix one goal for this year and stick to it. Maximize profit by raising prices. Doing the work like it is for your mother. But most of all have fun! oh!! and last year is over

[HOMER]

We're turning down new business left and right here. Spring sprung overnight and we just can't get to the new ones fast enough. Maybe when things actually begin to green up your attitude will change, I know mine did. This will be my 7th year and yes, it can be a little like

"Where is the fun in all this hard work?":dizzy:

I spent a lot of time at one of my commercial prop's yesterday.....the weeds had just about taken it over. When I got done with it and looked over my work I knew then why I continue to do this. I guess the finished product still motivates me, the "instant gratification" that comes with a job well done. The figure in my head that I want to achieve this year is also motivating me but not enough to take on a tremendous amount of work to get it, if it comes then it comes, if not----theres always next year when that certain account or person comes along that will make my life easier.

I was inside a factory for the first 18 years of my adult life and I don't want to be caged up again----ever! That in itself is motivation for me to continue.

Everything is coming in bloom down here and it will there shortly, when you see spring it does something.................and you also have a reason to get home after a hard days work........the new pool. Nothing better than seeing who can get in first after a 100 degree day.........been there done that................clothes and all. It'll get better and the new business will come.

Good luck and let us know how things go!

[sheppard]

Dear Major Tom,

This is the fool proof method I use...I simply remember what I was doing beforwe I began this venture: getting older, fatter and generally hating life.

I worked for Corporations selling software to other Corp.s. At the rate I was going I would not have seen 50 years of age.

Now I'm 25lbs lighter, heavily tanned, have a tinkling all over me when I lie down at night (from strenuous work) and I SLEEP HARD!

Lastly I remend myself that I'm a horrible employee but a great boss...think I'll keep it that way.

Cordially,
S.

[JVS]

I listen to any of Marty Grunders tapes- They are great and help motivate me! :D :D :D :blob2:

[TJLC]

Being my own boss, the money and the thought of what I used to do and make before starting my business 4 years ago.

[JimLewis]

What motivates me? Hmm. That's hard to nail down. But I'll try.

First, I love my job. I love that I can wake up, send my crews off for the day, and go watch TV if I choose. I love that I have a nice office in my home and I can work in a nice air conditioned room with a nice view , answer the phone, set up appointments, etc. half of the day. Then, the rest of the day I like that I get to drive around in a nice truck with a nice stereo system and A/C and I am getting paid well for it! I enjoy meeting new clients and landing jobs. I love that feeling you get when you go meet a client and they say, "Sounds good. How do I sign up?" And then I go back to my truck and feel like 'Shooter' McGavin from Happy Gilmore after he makes a good put (with the arm motions and everything) and I say to myself, "YES! I am good!"

I love filling out those deposit slips every day or two. I love opening the mailbox and finding checks almost every day. I love driving around town and passing 2 or 3 of my trucks and waving at them, thinking to myself, "Wow! just think of how many people saw our company logo today!"

I love puting out flyers and then the phone starts ringing - even as I am still passing them out! I love getting those phone calls, "Hi. Mrs. Johnson referred me to your company and she spoke really highly of you and I'd like to get an estimate for........"

I love knowing that because of my efforts I am a large part of the financial support for 7 or 8 different families (that is, that I pay a lot of people's wages.)

I love driving by yards that we work on and seeing that they are the lushest, greenest looking lawns on the block.

I love knowing at any given moment I can stop working if I choose to and spend time with my little son or my wife. And knowing that in most other jobs I wouldn't see them all day.

I love knowing that I can leave for a week on vacation and still make great money while we are gone.

I love growing and landing more and more new accounts. And because we've always had a high growth rate from month to month and year to year, it's been very motivating.

I like knowing that new clients are within MY control. I may have to go out and put out 1,000 or 2,000 or 10,000 flyers. But I know that if I try hard enough, I can land 10 or 20 new clients in a short period of time if I really want to. It's just a numbers game. Sometimes, it takes less numbers to get the results I want, other times I have to work harder. But to know that I have control over how much I make and how fast we grow is cool!

All of these things keep me motivated and loving my job. Heck, just listing them out has me totally stoked again right now!

[thartz]

knowing that every morning when I look in the mirror I see the man I'm working for.Nuff said!

[johnhenry]

What motivates me is quite different. I truly love my work.Since I was a kid watching my dad cut our lawn and smelling the fresh cut lawn.The money is just a bonus because I am getting paid for what I love to do.Each time I mow a lawn I step back and look and make sure its meets my standard.You dont have to have a passion for this business.But I really think passion is a secret weapon.

[bastalker]

Hey Major...

You said that every year you ran a one page ad in the news paper and the phone never stopped....

This year you passed out flyers...and things are slow.

Run your ad again......;)

With the ad and your flyers, theres nowhere to go but up.

:drinkup:

[lordohturf]

I think Homer hit it on the head! It's been a rough Winter.
Spring is coming on fast and the phone will be ringing soon.
You've done it before and you'll do it again! Keep your head up
and go.

A couple other things you should be aware of.

Let your customers sell for you. Send out a mailer to your customers that offers them a discount for referring a new customer. If you're doing your job right, they will be willing to
sell for you.

Think of add-on services, mulch dye, fertilization and weed control, tree and shrub care etc. to offset down periods.

[ConPro]

Tony Robbins and coffee. One of his Cd's and 2 cups of dark java. When my crew shows up I'm like a tornado. All about the benjamins and what that Lewis guy said.

[KenH]

2003 will be my 20th year in the biz. Every winter, I pick up a part time job for kicks and to keep out of my wifes hair. Work for someone else for a while.....you will appreciate your own business even more. I do this every winter, and near the end, I can wait to get back out on my own.

[jsr2741]

Knowing that after playing social worker/human trash removal for 8 hours or so, I don't have to go spend another 4 to 6 hours in my uniform sitting in a bank or some convenience store making $18 per hour making sure they don't get held up.

If that won't motivate someone, nothing will.

[1MajorTom]

Thanks for all the replies. :)

We both like working outdoors, and we do appreciate the freedom we have all winter long not having to work. Both of us couldn't imagine working for someone else ever again.

My lack of motivation isn't because I don't like our business anymore, I just want to get to the next level. And I at times find myself getting frustrated.

But I'm sure like Homer said, once I see everything in bloom, I'll be ready to go.

I'll update this thread in a few months. :)

[adrianvbarrera]

I like the challenge of a business. When the money is raking in...I love it and it motivates me to push harder. When money is tight it motivates me to push harder. I just like running,planning and developing a business into a money making machine.

I am new to lawn service but hopefully I will do good like I have on my other businesses.

I was in Medical School and I stopped going about 10 years ago. I cherished my freedom too much to be tied down with 24 hour hospital work. Now I make way more than a doctor and my time is really my time. I have absolutely no regrets. I still receive letters from the Medical school for me to go back but no way.

Just my thoughts.


Adrian

[AGG Lawn Maintenance]

"ran one advertisement in the newspaper for one day,"
Try running a 30 day add. In my area (NJ) we run 30 day ads. I find that I pick up about 30-40 new accounts in the spring from our ad. And about another 20-30 in the fall. I have found that its all about timing and consistency. Flyer's don't hurt either. I have had much success with them as well. With the flyer's you just have to hit the right areas. You might have to hit those same areas again at a latter time. Also offer your current customers discounts for referral's. That my friend will boost up your sales.
Good luck. Travis

[LAWNGODFATHER]

Originally posted by jsr2741
Knowing that after playing social worker/human trash removal for 8 hours or so, I don't have to go spend another 4 to 6 hours in my uniform sitting in a bank or some convenience store making $18 per hour making sure they don't get held up.

If that won't motivate someone, nothing will.

Stevo, they have lot of human trash over in st. chuck?

That's about the same reasons many of the other boys in blue I know found other ways and means of employment, both full and part time.

[KerryB]

First I remember what it was like working for a butthorn and making him all the money.
I look at my wife and three kids. Thats an incredible motovator.
If I need extra help, I buy some bologna and remember what it was like eating that **** every day.

[Gravely_Man]

There is a lot of what makes most of us tick in this thread. This winter was quite harsh and I ended up doing more snow work then the previous two years combined. I motivate myself by going out into the shop and working on some piece of equipment. I like playing with tools but even more I love the smell of fresh cut grass the ability to look at the lawn when I am done and see my accomplishment. Spring is here and going in a hurry. Take some time and reflect and ideas will come. You have been doing long enough that you clearly know what you are doing and you will figure it out. Best of luck to you.


Gravely_Man

[nelbuts]

PORN!:D :D :D :D :D :D

[adrianvbarrera]

Hey nelbuts,
I like your signature....did it use to say:
"Never argue with an idiot....they will bring you down to their level and beat over the head with experience."


if not then I saw it somewhere else.



Adrian

[John Gamba]

Jodi
What Motivates Me
FORECLOSURE Signs On Homes!

[Turfcouncil]

Well, This year has been a tough one emotionally. I actualy applied for a city job. Thankfully I did not get it.
I want to turn it around. I like the idea of posting past numbers to motivate... I will do that.
I feel hot days coming and that will bring in the $$$$