Winter doldrums

[Charles]

Happens every year, except this year is worse. Worked off and on in december due to inclement weather. The slowest december in 3 years. Now customers are starting to call again. Still the work is sporadic. I just have that hibernation feeling at this time of year. I like consistancy when I am working. This 2 day a week thing is a pain in the azz. I am sore the next day from being out of shape and the little bit of money coming in is not very motivating. I have to load up the large bagger and ladder yada yada yada run across town for one or 2 jobs. BIg whup! Tired of doing leaves and gutters in the freezing cold. After december I usually have every customer finished up and am looking forward to spring. With just a few jobs to do its just ho hum take the phone off the hook time.
I know some of you are having this problem too. You get to a job and they are alot of limbs to be picked up as well as the leaves and frozen gutters. I have a few jobs to do today(its alot warmer outside near 40) after doing one all week and friday is NOT the time i like to start the work week.. Well enough whining and procastinating.... LOL. Anyone else in a rut??

[Green Finger]

Hey Charles,

What does LOL mean at the end of your Threads.

[TGCummings]

LOL means Laughing Out Loud.

Charles, I do know what you mean. We all go through our times of doldrums, particularly when things are slow and we begin to occupy ourselves with mundane things.

I have found this last year that one thing that helps me is to set aside those M-F 8:00-5:00 hours as work time, specifically. Even when things are cold and rainy, or growth is slow I try to use that time for things like web page work, equipment maintenance, business research, et. al. That way I stay in 'business' mode and am better ready when those calls come in. Trying to stay focused seems to help.

I know it's hard, 'cuz this time of year is play-time, but you've still got your weekends, evenings, and holidays. :)

-TGC

[bdemir]

great advice TG.

Charles how bout a vacation?

Getting away helps to get mind of things ,then when you get back with more energy it will be time to get to work again.


bdemir

[Charles]

Thanks for the advice TGC, Bdemir. Greenfinger the internet uses alot of shorthand stuff.

[osc]

Charles:
I'll load up the Dane and be down in the morning. No joke. You could subcontract to me and kick back. I'm about to loose it being indoors

[powerreel]

Hey Charles, you should move to Seattle, it's 50 something and POA is starting up. I think it's almost time for LIQUID IRON! Spring is a comin' early- I'm getting the reel ground.

[TJLC]

Been there, done that. I feel for you guys in the north. Cabin fever sucks. It's been chilly in the mornings here but it usually warms to 60 -70 deg.#1 reason we moved south. WEATHER!

[Charles]

I think it has more to do with seasonal affective disorder(SAD). All the holidays, sun slanting, routine disruption. I seem to perk up around the middle of february when the sun begins get higher up in the sky. Every winter I say i am going to do this and that and never do anything most year. A couple of times i travelled across the country and stayed for awhile. But that didn't improve anything. Time does fly this time of year though.

[MOW ED]

In all seriousness, talk to a Doc and maybe he can give you an Rx for SAD. It is a fact that people have this and it doesn't mean that you are crazy. Give it a try you will be surprised. Good Luck.

[Keith]

If I don't get anything accomplished by Monday or Tuesday, it will be a lazy week :) I can't get motivated if I screw around early in the week

[osc]

A lot of people in my area have SAD but their medication seems to be going to the bars and staying drunk untill spring.

[HOMER]

I think I need a shot of that SAD! I too have been SAD. :confused: Maybe a shot of that iron up my ars will get me motivated. No joke, never heard of SAD before, maybe I'll take me a dose, better than being mad about the weather and not a blankety blank thing I can do about it. I'm about as far south as I wanna be and in the same boat as you Charles. Got out today though and perked up a little, 62 and sunny, almost felt like spring.

[kutnkru]

Suffering from SuN DePrOvTiOn !!!

Kris

[kutnkru]

see told ya, cant even spell ... grrr

deprovation

[Charles]

Yea, alot of northerners use alcohol to get through this time of year. That only makes it worse though because it is a depressant. People in the northwest use lighting like in a tanning bed a few hours a day. I wouldnt use medication to get through this because it is temporary and the side effects of meds can be long lasting. NOw the sun is on its ways back up things will improve. We dont stay cloudy very long like the north and the northwest. Homer if you have a problem getting going in the winter this disorder maybe what you are suffering from. Not many people are educated about sad and they may think you are just being lazy....Their is a much higher suicide rate in the Pacific northwest and many doctors associate it with this.

[lawrence stone]

Charles do you think the SAD issue is something powerreel should address?

Maybe he might be using Starbucks as self medication.

[bridges]

I may need prozac.

[Charles]

Ya Lawrence, Powerreel should be an expert on this subject. Those people have it rough out there. You can tell by some of his post he might be wired on that caffiene

[Keith]

Originally posted by Charles
You can tell by some of his post he might be wired on that caffiene

I kinda get that from Scag48. And David Hartzog too, remember the Taco Bell thread? :)

[Scape Sculptor]

I have spring fever real bad. I hate winter, especialy with all the snow and cold. If it was milder like in the past few years I'd do pruning and the like work. I really envy you guys in the south or Seatle this time of the year. I have been working on my marketing, organization, and getting ready for spring. I also have 2 games of Roller Coaster Tycoon going...so I am taking some of my landscaping and creative frustrations out on the game. Hoping for an early spring.

[Charles]

I wouldnt envy those in Seattle. I spent a couple of januarys there and it got dark like midnight at 4 pm. Cloudy and drizzly the whole month. If i had stayed there much longer I would have to had bought me a starbucks