How do you deal with Fatigue?

[smokinfastlegen]

How do yall deal with fatigue, both mental and physical? I mean I know doing car after car can get tiring in both your mind and body. Music can help and maybe taking a break every now and again, but im really talking about the point where you just want to put everything down and say "I quit." (Granted you cant just quit halfway into a detail, thats not fair to the customer.) There have been a few times where I just want to put the buffer down and only worry about my own cars again, so what do you do to motivate yourself and deal with fatigue?

 

[AeroCleanse]

I haven't run into it yet. I have run into, why isn't this working like I want to. When that happens I stop detailing and go watch some youtube videos on what I am doing, or read forums for some inspiration. I have also discovered that using noise reducing headphones helps a lot. I'm not talking about music headphones, rather the ones hunters wear when shooting. It's amazing what a -29db headphone will do for the fatigue level.

 

[Accumulator]

How do yall deal with fatigue, both mental and physical? I mean I know doing car after car can get tiring in both your mind and body. Music can help and maybe taking a break every now and again, but im really talking about the point where you just want to put everything down and say "I quit." (Granted you cant just quit halfway into a detail, thats not fair to the customer.) There have been a few times where I just want to put the buffer down and only worry about my own cars again, so what do you do to motivate yourself and deal with fatigue?

Maybe detailing isn't really "your calling" :think: Hey, it sure isn't mine.



While everybody gets burned out on anything now and then, IMO/IME when you find the right thing for *you* it's never a real issue (mentally speaking). Doing your thing oughta be downright energizing, even when it leaves you utterly fatigued.



Finding yourself thinking "eh, [screw] this [stuff]!" regularly might be a clue that you're forcing a round peg into a square hole.



Hey, that's just my take on it :nixweiss

 

[salty]

I've been there many times over 20 years. Usually once the job is done and the customer is happy, I do get some energy back. But at times for me things have come in three's. A month ago it was dog hair and couple of weeks ago it was the dirtiest interiors I've ever done.



Full corrections can also zap my energy, but if I find myself in that situation I try and change things up. Try some different products or techniques and it helps.

 

[Thomas Dekany]

Wisdom right here. Accumulator



Aero, that is what I do as well once in awhile, great tip!

Maybe detailing isn't really "your calling" :think: Hey, it sure isn't mine.



While everybody gets burned out on anything now and then, IMO/IME when you find the right thing for *you* it's never a real issue (mentally speaking). Doing your thing oughta be downright energizing, even when it leaves you utterly fatigued.



Finding yourself thinking "eh, [screw] this [stuff]!" regularly might be a clue that you're forcing a round peg into a square hole.



Hey, that's just my take on it :nixweiss

 

[smokinfastlegen]

I didnt expect detailing to be my complete calling, I love cars and I love the car people, its just when you get 4 trucks in a row that are each dirtier then the last, and you have to do the same thing to each of them, thats when I get "fatigued".



Ive never made my detailing about the money either, Ive done it because it is my hobby and the end result when the customer is happy is more rewarding then the money.



I guess I should try to spread out the scheduling a little so I am more mentally stimulated.

 

[WAS]

Maybe detailing isn't really "your calling" :think: Hey, it sure isn't mine.



While everybody gets burned out on anything now and then, IMO/IME when you find the right thing for *you* it's never a real issue (mentally speaking). Doing your thing oughta be downright energizing, even when it leaves you utterly fatigued.



Finding yourself thinking "eh, [screw] this [stuff]!" regularly might be a clue that you're forcing a round peg into a square hole.



Hey, that's just my take on it :nixweiss

Ummmmmm, yes and no. Anything in life can bring you to your edge. Ask any parent out there how often their kids have brought them to their stress-edge, or how often a boss has pushed an employee to the point of quitting, even if the employee absolutely loves their job. It happens to everyone, and all of us are no different. It doesn't mean that detailing isn't "our calling", or that we're doing something that we don't actually enjoy doing, it just means that our work is draining. Especially physically. I don't think you'll find anyone on this forum who will disagree that detailing is very physical work, and it takes a toll on your body.

 

[DaGonz]

I'm the opposite. As a Deputy Fire Chief, I deal with some stressful situations just about every day I am working at the firehouse. The Fire Academy and the ambulance service have their own versions of stress, so detailing is my form of therapy. I work at my own pace and take breaks as necessary.

 

[Accumulator]

Ummmmmm, yes and no. Anything in life can bring you to your edge....It happens to everyone, and all of us are no different...

Sorry, I'm not like that. Just not how I respond. Not how my wife responds. Not how most of our friends respond. So it's not what I consider universal.



If somebody's career is causing stress, I'd think they'd want to do something else. If somebody'e life is stressing them out, I'd think they'd want to find a solution.

...our work is draining. Especially physically. I don't think you'll find anyone on this forum who will disagree that detailing is very physical work, and it takes a toll on your body.

Gee, I don't want to sound all :argue, and I haven't done this stuff 9-5/5 a week since I was a kid, but detailing isn't what I'd call physically demanding. Moving tons of material with a shovel and a wheelbarrow is hard, I *feel* that after I've done it; detailing just isn't in that ballpark. Eh, a good workout is more taxing for me than detailing for hours on end.



But hey, everybody is different. If this stuff is really taxing then maybe it's not what the person would want to do for a career, or even as a hobby.

 

[WAS]

Sorry, I'm not like that. Just not how I respond. Not how my wife responds. Not how most of our friends respond. So it's not what I consider universal.



If somebody's career is causing stress, I'd think they'd want to do something else. If somebody'e life is stressing them out, I'd think they'd want to find a solution.





Gee, I don't want to sound all :argue, and I haven't done this stuff 9-5/5 a week since I was a kid, but detailing isn't what I'd call physically demanding. Moving tons of material with a shovel and a wheelbarrow is hard, I *feel* that after I've done it; detailing just isn't in that ballpark. Eh, a good workout is more taxing for me than detailing for hours on end.



But hey, everybody is different. If this stuff is really taxing then maybe it's not what the person would want to do for a career, or even as a hobby.

So you NEVER get stressed out about anything ? EVER ? I find that hard to believe... But alright, you're probably part of the 0.01% of the population. The rest of us (99.99%) do get stressed out about various things throughout our lives, personally as well as professionally. I'm sure doctors get stressed out every now and again. Sure glad they don't just find a new career.



Detailing is not physically demanding ? Alright, well let's just wait a bit and let others on the board chime in, I'm curious what the consensus is from those of us that actually do it for a living vs arm-chair posting on a detailing forum.

 

[AeroCleanse]

Polishing paint with a buffer can be a real workout, most of the rotary polishers aren't light. Not so easy when your doing vertical panels. Some parts of detailing aren't that physically demanding, some are. When you spend 8hrs or more just polishing, it can take a physical toll.

 

[gmblack3]

If I did not start going to the gym back in June, I doubt very much my body would be able to take the beating I put it thru. Two weeks ago I had a GG polisher in my hands for over 35 hours in 5 days. Last week I wanted to take the entire week off, but got convinced to do a one step. This week will be 20 hours, its possible that another 10 could get added. Again these are hours of putting a polisher to paint. Then go work a 40 hour job.



Joey, It can be very tough at times. IMO nothing good is ever easy.

 

[Accumulator]

So you NEVER get stressed out about anything ? EVER ? I find that hard to believe... But alright, you're probably part of the 0.01% of the population. The rest of us (99.99%) do get stressed out about various things throughout our lives, personally as well as professionally...

Everybody's different. But virtually *none* of the adults I associate with get stressed out about things. Period. And I know plenty of people in extremely high-pressure professions.

I'm sure doctors get stressed out every now and again. Sure glad they don't just find a new career.

I also know a fair number of physicians and others in the medical profession. Those dealing with life/death daily say they *have* to be able to handle it without stressing out. Those that get stressed out by certain aspects of the profession almost always gravitate towards less stessful specialties, good for them *and* their patients.

Detailing is not physically demanding ? Alright, well let's just wait a bit and let others on the board chime in, I'm curious what the consensus is from those of us that actually do it for a living vs arm-chair posting on a detailing forum.

I'm certain you didn't intend the bolded portion of the above to come across as insulting. Your use of "actually" makes me wonder if you missed my disclaimer that I haven't done this professionally for ages. I meant to convey that perhaps if I detailed every day, every week, I'd feel differently. I'm sure not disparaging or discounting the effort put in by pros, I just don't find it as physically demanding as some other things that people do for a living. Running a buffer isn't running a jackhammer IMO.

 

[Accumulator]

Polishing paint with a buffer can be a real workout, most of the rotary polishers aren't light. Not so easy when your doing vertical panels. Some parts of detailing aren't that physically demanding, some are. When you spend 8hrs or more just polishing, it can take a physical toll.

No argument about the weight of some rotaries! When I did do this stuff I was running a Milwaukee most of the time, and one of the lessons from that was that I didn't want to do it for a career.



Not doing it every day, every week probably has a lot to do with why I don't think it's all that demanding *for me*. When I do polish, I generally work for 12 or more hours straight and I find that easy. But I'm not doing it all the time.

If I did not start going to the gym back in June, I doubt very much my body would be able to take the beating I put it thru...

I would think that one's level of fitness factors in big time. Working that other job too doesn't make for much downtime, huh?

 

[tssdetailing]

good thread, i'm glad to see i'm not the only one feeling a bit worn. I'm chalking my fatique up to this dreary cold weather we're having and that I got slaughtered with taxes/business fees this year. It just seems like every dollar I make is already spoken for. Some weeks back, we got blue-balled with GORGEOUS 70 and sunny perfect days and I was instantly booked 3 weeks solid. I'm about half way through that melee and the weather is back down to 40's, overcast and sometimes even snow. It's really taking a toll on me. I have MF'd quite a few cars lately that I know in better weather I'd be smiling and happier to work on. What is keeping me positive? I have this saying that I tell myself "Eventually the screw will come out." It came from wrenching on cars, sometimes you have to remove/unbolt a ton of things so that one pesky screw you need to get out will break free and you can replace that part you need and bolt it all back up.

 

[WAS]

Everybody's different. But virtually *none* of the adults I associate with get stressed out about things. Period. And I know plenty of people in extremely high-pressure professions.





I also know a fair number of physicians and others in the medical profession. Those dealing with life/death daily say they *have* to be able to handle it without stressing out. Those that get stressed out by certain aspects of the profession almost always gravitate towards less stessful specialties, good for them *and* their patients.





I'm certain you didn't intend the bolded portion of the above to come across as insulting. Your use of "actually" makes me wonder if you missed my disclaimer that I haven't done this professionally for ages. I meant to convey that perhaps if I detailed every day, every week, I'd feel differently. I'm sure not disparaging or discounting the effort put in by pros, I just don't find it as physically demanding as some other things that people do for a living. Running a buffer isn't running a jackhammer IMO.

I'm sorry, but I don't care what your friends / adults you associate with pretend, but everyone gets stressed out about something, sometime. It is a human reaction that cannot be avoided, just the same like feelings of anger, excitement, etc. "Handling it" does not mean that people are not stressed out, it simply means they've figured out a way to deal with their stresses without having a complete mental breakdown. It still means they get stressed. No, the bolded quote you have there is not intended specifically for you. It's intended for anyone and everyone on this forum that doesn't personally pick up a polisher, Tornador, Extractor wand or other detailing tool everyday. It's easy for those of you that don't do it for a living to comment that it's "not physically demanding". And yes, running a buffer isn't the same as running a jackhammer, but it also isn't the same as answering phones in a doctor's office either.

 

[brwill2005]

Well, obviously actual detailing is a physically demanding activity. Running a full time business is also mentally demanding for obvious reasons. My goal is to eventually get away from doing the actual work by perfecting my process and training others to execute it well. This takes time obviously. In the mean time, I just deal with it the best that I can. For me this means having a good work and personal life balance. I spend lots of time with my family and friends, and never let my business interfere with those things. As for stress, everyone experiences stress; whether it be eustress (good stress) or bad stress. Eustress is a normal part of most activities people do. Bad stress is determined by how your respond to certain situations. Some people handle it worse than others. I just try to not sweat the little things that I have no control over, but rather concentrate on the bigger picture, which I have more control over.

 

[DaGonz]

I forgot to add.. if I have a detail scheduled and my group has had a very busy night.. copius amounts of caffeine!

 

[gigondaz]

To avoid fatigue, this is what I do:



1. Diagnose properly.

If you hv diagnosed the car properly, and are certain of the extent of work involved, you shd know what you're getting into. Mentally prepare yourself. Taking a lackadaisical approach, and simply picking up the buffer only to realise you're dealing with a horrible, supersoft clearcoat full of swirls could freak out many detailers, and they'll start moaning about the "long road ahead". That's mental fatigue!



2. Don't bite off more than you can chew.

Schedule your jobs so that all the massive, difficult ones are not clustered together.

You are the boss, and its up to you to schedule it based on your time. Let's be realitic, if you can't handle it, you'll hv to sacrifice some other lower-priced jobs.



3. Focus on 1 job, and stop thinking about the rest.



4. Price of the job.

Forcing yourself to do tough jobs at a crappy low price actually creates mental fatigue.

It makes the job much tougher and more stressful.

Avoid this by pricing it RIGHT the FIRST TIME.

Once the price is right, you'll be enjoying the job.



5. Don't detail to achieve.....detail to IMPRESS.

Once the price is right, you can start imagining how to impress the car owner.

Yes...show it off!

Find out as much as possible what he/she expects. What's their main concerns?

Address those issues and OVER-DELIVER.



6. Visualise the end-result.

To keep your motivation up, and hence mental fatigue down, think of how impressed the owner will be when the vehicle is ready. Picture the finished results in your mind, and it'll "drive" you towards achieving those results.





Mostly importantly, ask yourself....of the thousands of detailers out there, why were you chosen to do this job?? The owner trusts you, and is willing to pay you to get it done.

Be professional, and be committed. Once the vehicle is in our hands, we will do it to our best ability.





For me, in my shop, the BEST time for slow jewelling of the paintwork is when night approaches, i've had a great dinner, having a smoke and nice cold beer, looking at the nearly finished vehicle, and slowly enjoying the thought of how I'm gonna get that paint finish to the highest level possible.......cos I no longer want to just detail it.....I wanna show it off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!