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Hi David
Many of the bread and butter jobs we do can be repetitive leading to boredom but it's the same with many other jobs out there .
Also there is the isolation factor it's easy to become immersed in our own thoughts it can be a lonely job to some but others thrive on working by themselves whereas others enjoy being part of a team .
Some gardening rounds can be more draining than others I have found where the work spec is a bit mundane presenting few challenges which is one aspect that has always affected me and never really enjoyed the routine of going to the same customer regularly especially small gardens .
In larger gardens there is always something to do which holds my interest and it's one area you can change but you have to show some integrity and not just drop customers with easily manageable gardens because their gardens no longer fit your criteria , recommend another gardener or wait until they find a replacement .
many times I have thought about going back into my old trade but the thought of sitting at a work bench indoors I would not survive the month .
I would feel caged up working indoors no matter what the weather throws at me .
I feel you have come to the realization that gardening offers the most potential and it's versatile enough to tweak your job spec to what suits whilst offering good earning potential .
A lot of people I know dream of becoming gardeners .
At least you have tried other jobs and there is nothing to stop you running another type of business or job alongside your gardening business or if you have other ambitions consider further education .
Also try and achieve your top earning potential as it's an added incentive to do the more mundane gardening jobs .
I think youve made the important step - youve recognised it AND posted here. So that has got to be a "well done".
I found a particular type of job/client made me feel that way. For me they were clients that didnt really "love" their garden and clients that had no ambition to make their garden better - maybe they are one and the same?
My route was to lose those clients, I increased the number of very large gardens (in fact though mostly retired) I have kept one of those on - it is now the only client. This client really loves the garden, and between us we are always thinking of new plantings, features to put in. This winter around 60 x 6' screening trees are going in + some specimen trees. A large garden also gives you work 12 months of the year and any number of jobs to focus on - and I've celebrated the fact that robot mowers have arrived ---- mowing grass, I find it a bit boring tbh.
At one time I took on an apprentice (it took a while to find the right one) - that was good, there was someone to talk to, and help on their journey to become a professional gardener
Good luck with sorting the problem - I agree with John... be careful that you dont jump from the frying pan into the fire - and take on something that gives you more grief.
John and Adam, make some good and relevant points.
I can have some empathy with you but I am 67 and been in the trade 45 years and guess you are not of a similar age?
Yes I have lost my "spark" for probably 40% of the work which is predominantly commercial maintenance and most of that mowing. There is no logic why I prefer one commercial site to another, but as with all jobs you have to accept the rough with the smooth and concentrate on the financial rewards as your motivation to get through those jobs you dislike and be positive and look forward to those jobs you do enjoy.
It's a bit like sitting in the dentist's chair, necessary , sometimes unpleasant but it's not everyday!
Speak to any trade after decades we're all bored.
Do it for the money. Ideally on a price far more profitable.
Don't forget your free and have no master.
I feel a bit like this in September/October when I have been doing regulars since March and the season is coming to an end. Bored and looking forward to telling them see you in March.
I find by March I'm ready to go again and looking forward to it again.
You spoke about doing some other jobs instead of gardening but could you not look for some other work in gardens for yourself that's different to what you have been doing in the lawns and hedges?
Maybe pressure washing, clearance jobs. Tidy ups etc? Some variation may help and you may find yourself looking forward to getting back on the lawns and hedges
Definitely grass cutting is depressing do something else I find wild jobs that need major work are a big pickup when finished
I alwasy feel a bit like that at this time of the year as well, possibly SAD sydrome but my MH always takes a nosedive for Dec 25th.
I have a couple of clients I am thnking of dumping as I'm not enjoying the gardens any more. One has a new dog, so poo to look out for, (previous post) & hence they have lost interest in their garden as well. The other is now a poor payer due to money issues. So no imput. I have worked at both of them 3 years & gotten both the gardens back from a weedy mess, so now not as much for me to do. My wife said to get rid of them, but each client is weekly so £6K each a year (that is a couple of holidays!)
Talking of holdiays we always go away in January, partly again as a way for me to get through December, plus it is my quietest time. Something to look forwards to & once back from sunning myself (not actually because we go on touring holidays, as I can't sit around a pool) the new season starts a fresh.
Hi David
im in my early 60s and have been landscaping/gardening for many years. I've been gradually shifting towards grass and hedge cutting as it's easier and delivers and steady income but, it can be boring and monotonous. I still do small landscaping jobs in winter. I've often thought of packing it in and getting a "proper" job but when I think of the freedom I'd be giving up and being at someone else's beck and call I dismiss the idea and carry on.
What I have done to make the days pass more pleasurably is reduce my hours to about 5 a day, slowly ditch unappreciative customers, we all need positive affirmation from our customers and what really helped, and might sound daft, was buying a decent pair of ear defenders with a radio incorporated. Listening to my favourite station just made the time pass so much more pleasurably.
so I'd recommend trying make some small changes to your daily routine, ditch the bits you enjoy the least and see how it goes. Continuing in your current frame of mind will result in shoddy work, complaints and you feeling worse than ever.
Thanku so much for your time and thoughts. All of your replies have really helped.
Taking points from all comments has helped me to see that small gradual changes are needed whether that be taking on more interesting jobs, shorter days, increasing my prices and also taking a week or two break at this time of the year.
Headphones are a must; most of us being sole traders we spend our working days in solitude but music, radio and audio books help to pass the time abd refresh your moods.
This time of year we have shorter working days and the skies are grey and not blue; SAD is a thing.
Customer burn out is inevitable because we are providing a service and not only that but we have the british weather to deal with. No harm in diversifying and winter work brings in a different set of tasks.
Ultimately if, come Sunday evenings, you're not relishing the prospect of the coming week's work then maybe some changes wouldn't hurt. It's your business to run how you wish and no one else can tell you otherwise. The forums are ace for advice/input no matter how much or how.little experience we have.
Ask yourself how much you'd miss doing what you're doing if somebody was about to take it all away from you?
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