60six
Posted a lot
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Posts: 1,658
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Try to get your wife interested too, even if only for moral support, cups of tea, and the occasional pair of extra hands to "hold this while I put this bolt in".
All she cares about is if the heated seats work! Going to see if my Dog can be taught to do an oil change - far easier.
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Some 9000's, a 900, an RX8 & a beetle
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,194
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Try to get your wife interested too, even if only for moral support, cups of tea, and the occasional pair of extra hands to "hold this while I put this bolt in".
All she cares about is if the heated seats work! Going to see if my Dog can be taught to do an oil change - far easier. Sounds like you need this guy!
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alx
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 367
Club RR Member Number: 21
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Mar 23, 2022 11:09:07 GMT
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Amazing response and lots of great suggestions and ideas, thanks to all who took time to answer, it’s greatly appreciated. It seems it’s pretty widespread. So, to just put my position into perspective I’m in a pretty decent position to just get on and do stuff. I’ve been messing about with cars for pretty much 30 years now (and lurking around these parts for about 13 years) and have built up a decent tool hoard to do all the jobs I need. I’ve got a non-retro daily for work so that means I don’t have to worry about that aspect of things and I won’t be modding that car. I’ve got a workshop/garage that I rent which is pretty nice. It doesn’t have a car lift in it but other than that it is ideal for messing with the fleet. It’s not at my house (about 7 min drive away) but that’s not really a big problem. My wife is very supportive of all my car related stuff but she doesn’t really get involved as she has her own stuff to keep her busy. We have an old house and she likes to plan/do/re-do parts of it and obviously I spend time on some of these projects which sometimes diverts my time but it’s not really an issue, it’s just living in an old house and having a lovely wife who likes to make the best of the place. I have a gym set up above my workshop with all necessary equipment for weights, boxing, battle ropes etc. so I don’t have to pay for gym membership, and I’ve identified that proper physical exertions and training to a reasonably high level is a must for me. If I don’t do it I feel achy and old and it eventually affects my mood and outlook, so that is a hard-point in all of this that can’t really be removed. I am very lucky to have all this available to me but I’ve built it up (paid for it) over the last 25 years so it’s not like I have any hardships preventing me getting car stuff done. When I read through build threads on here I’m always impressed and amazed what can be done with a bit of space, a lot of dedication and just hard work. Some very inspiring stuff throughout RR and I count it as one of my main sources of grounding and inspiration for car related and other projects. From all the comments I think I’ve narrowed down my own personal reasons and issues for my funk/mojo drop/lack of progress. None of which are life-changing or a real hardship so it’s highlighted to me I’m very lucky to be in the position I am. So in no particular order I’ve summarised what I think contribute to my own issues: 1 – I’ve probably got too many cars. The suggestion of thinning them down was made several times and I can see that it’s probably a good idea…..unfortunately I have quite a bond with most of them and the rest is made up from the fact I really want to get them done (and I probably have a character flaw in not wanting to get rid of stuff 😊). I will re-visit this if I don’t get anywhere, but for now I will hold that option in my back pocket. What I am going to do is move some of the fleet out of my workshop into secure storage so that they do not distract from my priority list. 2 – Get mates around to add mojo, lift spirits. This is not a “woe, is me” point, but most of my mates live bloody miles and miles away and actually just seeing a select few of them is another task I’m rubbish at. I’ve got lots of good mates at work but again that’s 30 miles away and only a couple are car guys with lots of lists themselves. So, basically I’m on my own on this one. 3 – Make lists. Yes, I’m awesome at lists lol. I’ve just got myself two massive whiteboards and there will be lists made and battle plans drawn. 4 – Out-source stuff – Yup. Anything that needs specialist (expensive) equipment or ridiculous levels of skill I will out-source. I will however have a go at most things below that level and improve my own skill set. I like tech/engineering/detail stuff so all that is something I enjoy. 5 – 10 Good enough jobs are better than 2 perfect jobs. I recognise that my own character lends me to try and get everything perfect. In my job it’s actually a plus point but I realise that in lots of other avenues it can be a massive blocker. I need to check myself to make sure the jobs are ‘good enough’ for the relevant application. 6 – Different job/Shorter Commute. I’m a contractor/consultant so it’s really the nature of the beast. I like(ish) what I do and I’m good at it and it has paid for lots of good stuff over the years (and I have a daughter just about to go to Uni) so I think I probably should stick at this for the foreseeable. 7 – Motivation – I have lots of good ideas and mojo for my cars when I’m at work but in the evening there is limited time and at weekends I have noticed that often I just lose all motivation. It’s weird and I think there is some level of burn-out as described in one of the previous posts. I think the suggestion of just chipping away at a single task, even for a few mins or whatever is one that will hopefully work. I’m going to just chop things into bitesize chunks and tick them off the lists as little wins on a regular basis. The whole ‘non-zero sum days’ concept biturbo228 mentions really resonated when I read it. I think there may be a level of depression involved in my funk as there’s been a few family deaths over the last couple of years and one of my canine best friends died in October, so I can’t rule that out and that is why I actually ‘need’ gym time to keep me sane. 8 - Scheduling time – Yes, I do try to do this. It’s point 7 above that often torpedoes my plans. I need to work on that. 9 - Meets / Cars and Coffee – Yes, I’m committed to going to a meet with the RX7 in July so that is going to happen. I usually work better with deadlines so that needs to get done. I think I will try and get to more this year, now that the pandemic has settled down a bit. 10 - Taking the dog in one of my cars to a walking spot/pub – my cars are not really practical to fit this huge fluffy monster-fest we have (we only have Charlie on the left now, but he’s big enough on his own). So, dog duties are performed by my wife’s Octavia VRS. 11 - Knowing you are not alone will help – it does, massively! Good to know others are in the same boat, adds a sense of camaraderie. This post was a very cathartic process and helped identify my own priorities and highlight all the good stuff I have available to me that I should be grateful for and enjoying, not getting over-awed by the big picture. I have questioned whether I actually like and enjoy owning old cars anymore. Am I just plugging away at it because it is what I should be doing because I’m a ‘car guy’ and that’s my ‘thing’ and I’ve been at it for years? That’s all a bit existential but something I need to eventually dig into and get to the bottom of. If all of the above fails, then maybe I’m not a car guy any more!! That is quite a deep hole to look into and I will not be going there just yet. Again, thanks to all who took time to help with this and if I haven’t specifically called you out or quoted something you raised in the above ramblings I’m sure you will recognise your inputs. RR is definitely a source of good mojo and positive vibes from a diverse bunch of lunatics. It’s awesome! Thanks to all listed below and the wider audience of RR. Jmsheahan qwerty pistonpopper grizz pptom blackpopracing HoTWire pauly22 nickwheeler mrbounce westycapri biturbo228 60six kevins stealthstylz etypephil ChasR It’s been emotional 😊 AL.
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Last Edit: Mar 23, 2022 11:21:14 GMT by alx
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Mar 23, 2022 13:20:07 GMT
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One other thing, I have no idea of where you are geographically - but you could have 'new' mates from RR pop round for garage visits/you could visit them. This helps spur you/others on and although not a lot will get done you can often make new friends and a fresh pair of eyes can often provide a solution to a problem you may be struggling with.
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pptom
Part of things
Posts: 470
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Mar 23, 2022 13:24:56 GMT
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I think it's also important to remember it's just a hobby, if you don't feel like doing anything that's fine. The stuff will all be there for when you do, don't put pressure on yourself in case it stops being enjoyable.
Personally, I think sitting in the garden drinking beer while thinking about it counts as project time.
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Mar 23, 2022 14:10:11 GMT
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One other thing, I have no idea of where you are geographically - but you could have 'new' mates from RR pop round for garage visits/you could visit them. This helps spur you/others on and although not a lot will get done you can often make new friends and a fresh pair of eyes can often provide a solution to a problem you may be struggling with. This is why the traditional advice was always join your local club for physical help and advice - even if it had a classic bias rather than hot rod. The best times I've had as a club member are when someone has called for help, and we all piled in. That gets jobs done, raises the standards of everybody's work, is a better social event than just meeting in the pub and has no downsides. The next best were impromptu cruises to Sunday afternoon car shows, with dinner on the way home. Retro Rides has the same attitude, but being an internet based club can't provide that sort of help to quite the same extent. But we've all been in your situation, and it's highly likely that someone near you will be prepared to turn up, talk car curse word, take the curse word, help with a couple of annoying jobs and just generally nudge you in a helpful direction.
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Mar 23, 2022 16:10:24 GMT
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Slightly easier for myself as retired but still have normal stuff to do including gardening, shopping ,caring for sick wife but try to find car time in the afternoon depending on if its an indoor winter job or outside better weather job but its about planning the time you have. If the mojo wanes in car direction and have been tinkering 54 years with cars and never made a profit but never started out to i diversify with a mechanical project to keep the mind active / currently fitting electric motor conversion to retro Pashley three wheel adult tricycle whilst thinking of next car related job to get on with / everyone is different but our main common denominator is the love of retro cars and an addiction to buying used and new parts / modifying and being innovative as far as our skill set will allow.
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Started out with nothing and have most of it left.
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Mar 23, 2022 19:10:26 GMT
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I've got 3 kids, a 50 hour a week job, a wife, and a house to save for. Last couple of years I haven't been bothered at all, even cleaning them was a chore. Last month or 2 though I've had a 1.1 Saxo, and it's been a revelation. I paid 50 quid for it, and my 2 year old has been out "helping" me fix it, and that in itself has brought a lot of mojo back as he's genuinely into his cars, and it's nice to see. My new job sees me with 4 days off a week now so time can be split and I always get an hour or 2 a day, and when the weather is like it has been the last few days its been nice to just go outside with a cold beer and do some washing and polishing, or like today throwing some paint on some VTR alloys I was given. It was so cheap that I can literally do anything, and I'll still be quids in weighing it in so the pressure is off, I still have my Mondeo for work.
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Last Edit: Mar 23, 2022 19:10:56 GMT by astranaut
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Mar 23, 2022 19:32:44 GMT
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I find it easiest to have two projects not always car related. If it's a choice between them then at least one gets done. The choice between one project and doing nothing inevitably leads to me doing nothing.
Some body told me a few years ago that the best thing to have in any workshop is space, and they were bang on. I brutally cleaned house, got rid of all the parts and rainy day projects in favour of having space. It makes working on the van a whole lot easier and i spend a lot less time looking for stuff I know i had last time.
I've found over the years that I only need to be motivated for five minutes or so. Once I'm in work gear and in the garage the mojo follows quite quickly.
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Mar 23, 2022 19:41:05 GMT
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I've found over the years that I only need to be motivated for five minutes or so. Once I'm in work gear and in the garage the mojo follows quite quickly. Exactly this - space, warmth & a good sound system works wonders.
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cjhillman
Posted a lot
1979 Capri (Rolling Project) 1985 Escort mk3 (Daily)
Posts: 1,588
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Mar 23, 2022 19:56:00 GMT
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I've had some real lulls in my motivation to get Cars right.
My experience and situation.
Adulting wise i'm in my early(ish) 30s, a self employed musician, have a misses & dog which gives me a lot of time to mess with stuff sometimes but little money. My misses always says i'm semi retired already. At the heart of Covid I spent a lot of my time either in the house or on my Cars which which was great until I had to get another job to keep the cars and food on the table. Coming out of Covid/moving from London to Manchester I had to spend a lot of time getting my Capri right as I knew that would need to work properly as my Escort was going to fail its MOT on alllll the welding (which it did). I also made sure I did a bit of tidying up to the body work on the Capri to keep the mojo flowing and got it some new wheels for cheap. Also I had been saving for the Escorts welding as I cant do that so thats being done and out the way... its been bliss having one classic if I'm honest which I didnt see coming. I'm trying to find a garage to store one in so I don't have to look at it or worry about it on the street as it will be back soon.
My summary is...
Too much on your plate with no loose plan and all the mojo/inspiration goes down the drain I think. I've had so many conversations with my misses where she said they're causing so much stress get rid of them and I should have got rid of one. At the moment I've pushed on and got to where I want with them but its been hard and a few years now... but I'd say thin it down and put the money from selling stuff back in to the project(s) you love. I sold loads of Capri parts and kept putting the money back in which was satisfying.
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Mar 25, 2022 13:27:46 GMT
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A wee tip I recieved years ago was to take Vitamin D suppliments as a way to help regulate mood and help maintain some sort of good mental health. I found it levelled out my mood so I'd not have crushing lows or useless highs where I couldn't concentrate on any one thing. Definitly helped me get my "mojo" back.
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Mar 27, 2022 19:17:16 GMT
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I have a full time job and a couple of small kids, so I don’t get any car time except on very rare occasions. I’ve got a reliable modern daily instead of trying to fit in keeping multiple old cars running. The Anglia doesn’t get used much (well, at all) but it’s fully working in the lockup and just needs a battery put on it if I want to use it.
That tends to be why I do bicycles for fitness and lunchtime electronics. There will be more time later for old cars.
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stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,840
Club RR Member Number: 174
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Mar 27, 2022 19:32:49 GMT
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I've got 3 kids, a 50 hour a week job, a wife, and a house to save for. Last couple of years I haven't been bothered at all, even cleaning them was a chore. Last month or 2 though I've had a 1.1 Saxo, and it's been a revelation. I paid 50 quid for it, and my 2 year old has been out "helping" me fix it, and that in itself has brought a lot of mojo back as he's genuinely into his cars, and it's nice to see. My new job sees me with 4 days off a week now so time can be split and I always get an hour or 2 a day, and when the weather is like it has been the last few days its been nice to just go outside with a cold beer and do some washing and polishing, or like today throwing some paint on some VTR alloys I was given. It was so cheap that I can literally do anything, and I'll still be quids in weighing it in so the pressure is off, I still have my Mondeo for work. I think this is why I have a constant stream of silly modified curse word cars when in reality I could easily afford something "nice". It's quite liberating just been able to crack on and modify something without having to think about values or whatever, plus I give everything I own absolute death while driving. Its never been my fault its gone wrong (and TBF all the non fault accidents I've had have been when I've been pootling along) but if it was in something of value I'd either not drive it as hard, or be gutted if it got damaged, and that doesn't interest me at all.
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Mar 27, 2022 20:57:58 GMT
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My inspiration comes from my pals and my 18 year old son George I’ve had times when I wanted to pack the whole car thing in My son suffers from adhd a battle in itself I don’t make no excuses but his behaviour can fluctuate between perfect to being a total curse word ! But my pals really have helped enormously and kept my car mojo going, we moved house recently which in itself is as emotionally draining too, but my lad has stepped up massively during this time , and our old mercs we be bought have reignited my car passion Sometimes you just need to step away from it all and then come back refreshed and go again We have a private boys chat within our band of friends in the fraudownersclub this has helped me personally find all the motivation I need Probably not the answer your looking for but that’s just my opinion on it!
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Last Edit: Mar 27, 2022 20:59:04 GMT by Mercdan68
Fraud owners club member 1999 Jaguar s type 1993 ford escort
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Mar 27, 2022 22:42:49 GMT
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Look after yourself would be my most recently learned top tip.
I spent quite a lot of effort and time last year, with the help of a nutritionist friend, getting my diet right - cutting out heavy carb foods (you know, the "staples" we are told to eat, by the people that mass-produce them) which make many people lethargic, and adding in nutrient-dense food. There's a lot more to it than that of course, but after an intense first third of the year, the rest of 2021 my energy levels were probably higher than they've been any time since my 20s. (Now 36).
Fixing my diet (and everyone has different nutritional needs so my "fix" is what best suits my metabolism) also changed my mental state as well, highly boosting my output in everything I did. Having more energy gave me the impetus to get up and do more, and putting more energy into things I enjoyed, or even just what needed done, reaped benefits in itself.
Don't neglect physical exercise - it's extremely beneficial, it releases endorphins, and also gives you that satisfaction of achievement that most males need to drive their ego (ego not being a bad word by the way, it's just your self-image). The social aspect of this is also very, very good for us. I found that the stone (approx) of excess weight I dropped relatively quickly last year through diet and exercise meant my self-image was so highly rejuvenated that it made me want to get out and do stuff. I'm by no means skinny but not feeling bulky and lethargic gave me so much more motivation to get under a bonnet and get cracking on. The confidence increase enabled me to get out on the mountain bike with my friends and this had a ramping up effect. I took on and completed several MTB projects, boosting motivation, and engendering the means for enjoyment and better health. Once that was all sorted, getting stuck into a car project seemed way, way, WAY less daunting. The cars will still be there next month, or the month after that. I've learned a couple more things... working on cars in the dark, in the rain, in the cold, all suck. So I just wait until it's light, warm, dry. I've nothing to prove and no time limit to get them done. I wanted them all done before I exited my 20s but that didn't happen, so, like, whatever.
There's many other factors of course such as relationships, housing and jobs, but they're all well covered and I've nowt to add. But my most recent lesson, as I said, was realising just how important it is to look after yourself well. We are, as hoomins, beautifully knit together and our physical, mental and emotional health are all inter-related. Once you improve in one area, the other areas also improve, and through self monitoring I can see how one dip in eating habits can change my mood. In fact I was just discussing it today with a friend who through stress at work started getting more angsty and eating badly. Anyway, the point is, I have motivation for days now and many times over the last few weeks I haven't been able to sleep for hours because I have so much energy and motivation unexpended during the day that I have to keep doing stuff. Take care of your physical health, emotional, and mental health, and you'll actually see the motivation return, without needing Terence Stamp to yell at you or having to take a $100-an-hour self-help program.
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slater
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 6,390
Club RR Member Number: 78
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Mar 28, 2022 15:32:58 GMT
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Working shifts is great for getting stuff done. Loads of free time when everyone is at work plus it's at better rates so less need for overtime!
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awoo
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,504
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Mar 28, 2022 16:04:07 GMT
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After the last project I decided I’ll think twice on that sort of thing in future. Saved loads of time ever since.
Retro rides is now my fix for old cars, see other people have all the grief instead. that and driving my existing car that I maintain but won’t be restoring any time soon keeps me happy.
I would also vote for consolidation of projects. I only got my last one finished by hitting it hard until done, took about 150 hours and spanned over 8months. Felt like when I wasn’t working I was working on the resto. It was only meant to be a quick ‘tidy up and get running’ but it went too far. Can’t imagine how more projects would ever get finished.
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Last Edit: Mar 28, 2022 16:04:52 GMT by awoo
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Mar 29, 2022 14:07:54 GMT
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Looking at the OP's list of vehicles - ditch everything but the RX7 and the guilt will go away, plus you will have a bit more time to spend on/with it ;-)
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,194
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Mar 29, 2022 21:38:33 GMT
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After the last project I decided I’ll think twice on that sort of thing in future. Saved loads of time ever since. Retro rides is now my fix for old cars, see other people have all the grief instead. that and driving my existing car that I maintain but won’t be restoring any time soon keeps me happy. I would also vote for consolidation of projects. I only got my last one finished by hitting it hard until done, took about 150 hours and spanned over 8months. Felt like when I wasn’t working I was working on the resto. It was only meant to be a quick ‘tidy up and get running’ but it went too far. Can’t imagine how more projects would ever get finished. TBH I hear you. I look back at how much time and money I sank into my past cars. Some I shouldn't have done, but then again, I would have the experience without living it, so it's a good way to learn. It's probably one reason I've stuck to just having two cars in all honestly. If I had more cash, and a newer daily, I probably would go to having 2 play cars again.
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