Burned out?

[Deaton Design]

Any of you guys ever get burned out? Like sometimes its more of a chore than enjoyable to be doing what you are doing? Been feeling that way lately. Hasnt affected my work cause I wont let it, but after 24+ years of doing this, day after day, I wonder if some type of change may be needed. I just moved to a different location (home based) and I feel much better about that, but still feel like its lost its passion with me. Im hoping this is something that passes.
You guys ever get this way?

 

[SignManiac]

Yep

 

[ddarlak]

making signs since 1986.

i lost it a long time ago, now i just make money. i enjoy what i do, but not like i used to. now my kicks are taking a 5 figure check to the bank.....

 

[Jillbeans]

Yes.
I went through a huge burnt out phase for about two years.
Business was slow, people only wanted crap layouts and wouldn't listen to reason, and my personal life was in turmoil.
Somehow or another it turned around and everything is OK now.
But during that time I was so uninspired that I literally felt dead inside.
My outlook on things has changed in the last few years.
I would suggest finding something that really pleases you to do (it doesn't have to be sign related) to let out your creativity.
Sometimes just one little thing can make a big difference.
Love....Jill

 

[TheSellOut]

I'm with you John. I haven't been doing it as long as you have but after ten years I feel the same loss of passion. I still enjoy sign making, it's everything that comes along with running a business that has me burnt out and the thing that sucks is that there doesn't seem to be any decent paying jobs as a sign maker working for someone else. My wife works at a college, as a vet tech, about an hour away from my shop and I've been keeping my eyes on their job board hoping that a graphic design position comes along.

For now I keep plugging along doing the best I can!

 

[AUTO-FX]

ha, that's why i came back to THIS business! was tired of working like a dog, goin the 13 hours a day and not feelin' the love. Needed more creative outlet. I guess to some degree it's relative. Like Jill said, maybe put on a new spin ???

 

[SebastienL]

I had a burnout in 2001. The classic overwork/underpay/no recognition scenario. I couldn't sleep, wouldn't eat, was on the edge of a panic attack most of the time. I cracked on a monday morning after not closing my eyes for a fraction of a second all night. Called my mom crying... was off work for almost a year.

Back then, I was a machinist. I started feeling better when I made the decision to change field of work. When back to school and don't regret it for a second. Althought I do miss the smell of freshly machined steel!

I don't wish this on anybody... A burnout is as serious as any disease.

 

[Marlene]

oh, hell yes! I've been doing this for 25 years and there are times when I think I have thought up eveything my little brain can do and I have nothing more...then a new cool project comes thru the door and the gears start clicking. there are projects I hate doing, mostly because the customer "helps" but I live for those jobs when you hear those magic words "do what you think, you're the expert". I did a project last month that burned me out totally. customer picked a font, an ugly freebie font. he wanted it on a slant, he wanted bright colors red, yellow, blue, he wanted a burger, he didn't want a square, rectangle, oval or anything normal shape and it had to have a Coke logo and a tagline. right in the middle of the whole thing after I spent a good amount of time balancing this whole thing out as a three line name, he changed the name of the place...errrr. I was so burned out on that job. this week, I'm working on a design for a food area for a college. the cook designed the logo...errrr. he picked the font Chocolate Box because he is a pastry cook and liked the name. really good reason for a font choice...I can feel the burn out on this job all ready.

 

[CES020]

This is just a question for those that are burned out, not so much a statement, but do you think you are burned out because you have run out of things to learn, or because you are in a niche and only do a few things, or what? Can you put your finger on it?

Just curious.

 

[WildWestDesigns]

This is just a question for those that are burned out, not so much a statement, but do you think you are burned out because you have run out of things to learn, or because you are in a niche and only do a few things, or what? Can you put your finger on it?

Just curious.

You know, I don't see how anyone can logically say that they have run out of things to learn. Especially in a field that has to change fairly rapidly with those that are heavy into tech.

I've dealt with horses most of my life and I'm always learning something new. Now as far as this business goes, I'm still wet behind the ears compared to some, so I still have plenty to learn no matter whose definition you use.

 

[signcrafters london]

I know how you feel, Tater. I went through it a couple of years ago. As others mentioned, it was a combination of the business pressures combined with personal issues. Now my batteries are recharged. I don't have the same enthusiasm as when we first opened, but it's very close. I'm sure you'll snap out of it.

 

[Techman]

I'm badly burned out on some aspects of the work.
The instant a caller tires to beat me down an a price I hang up. If they try to bargain in the office I say thank you for coming in and get back to work.
I have not cut vinyl in any real amount in many months. I gave away my back up cutter. I do not cut any window decals for cars ever any more. I rarely do banners either.


They call asking for a quote.. I tell them sorry ,, no quotes over the phone.
"How do I know how much it will cost for a 18x24 no parking sign"?
You come in and order it and leave a deposit.
"But it might be cheaper somewhere else".
Go somewhere else then.... click!

I do plenty of printed materials. However, I will not print it if someone sends me junk Camera ready art. I recently refused a job.. a brochure job for 5k pieces where copy ran over the fold lines. The amateur photos had white around the pics over the colored backgrounds. One shot had a hat rack growing out of the subjects head. All this from a "professional" marketer and designer. I will not spend time telling a professional why I won't print it either. Let them get their photo editing training from someone who needs the ego boost..

It is hard to understand but I am making more now than in a long time with my "attitude". Set a new record last month for gross income. Plus now I have to time to study new concepts and develop new products. It is a good day to be a grouch.

 

[SignosaurusRex]

Burned Out?......Oh Yeeeeaaaahhhhhh (I Was). Hit a brick wall a few years back. I had gotten to a point that I didn't enjoy anything. I did not sleep well, I was getting depressed and I'd crack easily. I was hating everyone and everything. I went to a natureaupathic mens health specialist. After a full blood work-up and some tests I found that among other things, my adrenals were burned out, thyroid was not working well and testosterone levels were in the tank. We tweaked my diet, added some great nutritional supplements, made time for myself and things that I really did enjoy but had not done for years. Developed a whole new attitude. I also started rejecting projects that I did not like or felt would be a battle for one reason or another. Long story shortened.....I feel great, enjoy my work again and loving life.

 

[d fleming]

Play a round of golf, go fishing on a weekday, bourbon. After 31 years now some days I just wanna be somewhere else. Last thing I did before I left last night was make a set of windchimes out of pipe, banner rope, lid off roll of banner, and a decorative top for a wood fence over a couple drinks.

 

[Mosh]

After 22 years I get the burned out feeling once in a while. What helps me is to go drive out of my area and look at work from other shops. Gets me fired back up. Also I drink a little less and this helps clear my head.

 

[signmeup]

Burnt out? Hell no! I'm just gettin' warmed up!
I'm just entering the stage where if I don't like the way a customer is behaving I send them on their way. Just this week a customer rubbed me the wrong way and I politely explained to them that they could no longer afford me. Felt great!

I hate it when a baker or hairdresser tries to make out like they know more about signs than I do. I'm busy enough now to decline their "projects".

Six months ago or so, I was feeling like this sign thing was never going to work.... quite depressing. I stuck it out because there's bugger all else to do around here. Now things seem to be getting better by the week.

You may be suffering from "the onset of winter". It'll pass shortly. If you're not very active, go get some fun excersize.... that always helps.

 

[SameDay Signs]

I've with you guy. This is my 10th year now and about a year and half ago I sold out because I was so burnt out. After 8 months of doing nothing and just being bored I relized how much I missed it and actually bought back the company I had sold. Plus the guy didn't really like it which he should have thought through anyways LOL...Well the short story is I think we all get burnt out but stick with it and make money because it's to hard to have to go out and find a good job anymore these days.

 

[John Butto]

Powerball

I play the lottery every week and have a few days to dream of what I would do with the money, it is like putting the carrot in front of the mule to get him to move and like him I never get to taste that carrot. "to work is to pray, and prayer is to work". Starting working with my grandfather who was a signpainter at 15 and now I am 62, and I was burned out on PurpleDoubleDome in the 60's as I remember, its been a blur since then.

 

[speedmedia]

Going thru the same thing as we speak. It sucks, but I hope it will pass quickly! Trying to branch out into some different arenas in hope to bring more excitement back into it. I love what I do, but it just doesn't seem the same. It's all about money now and it restricts projects and makes them not as "fun"

I am also looking for a hobby I can consume my time with instead of always searching or looking for the next big thing. My hobby right now is research it is all I do and I look at it like a work 18 hours a day. It's getting old, time to enjoy myself a little bit.

Thanks,
Kurt

 

[Mikeifg]

Me To. I have 30 trailers I'm doing for 3 different customers plus some interior wall murals for another and they all think I can have everything done the next day. And they act like it kills themto payfor material up front as well. Sure I have 15000 to throw at your materials then get stiffed for 90 days........ On top of that 10 of these trailers are 2hrs away and some large graphic company is giving me a hard time because I' installing graphics on their turf...I'm going armed when I start these trailers.