Have any one of u guys gone through a phase where your fed up of cleaning windows; I think im going through it right now!!! I dont know if its the winter or the lack of sleep due to the baby but im really not looking forward to start another week!! or maybe its cause im turning 40 pretty soon and working like if im 20… dont know what it is… anyone can relate;
It’s the cold you need a vacation give yourself a little time off
Sent from my iPhone using Window Cleaning Resource
Window cleaning gets mundane . It’s the same thing over an over an over an over agian . Try listing to some music once in a while when you work . I don’t know if you ever work in a job that you didn’t like , think about those days . Think about the money your makin, an think about that your doing it for you , an not someone else. I don’t know works for me I work doing this for 10 years or so for someone else that was rough especially the first guy I worked for .
I havnt had a vacation in 8 years so wouldn’t know how that would work. I’m sure it would if your burning yourself out you should take one even if you don’t go anywhere !
To add to this ya winter can an will do this to ya
Sent from my iPhone using Window Cleaning Resource mobile app.
CCU does that to me…
Then I just think,
na-na-na-na-na-na-na, gettin’ jiggy with it, na-na-na-na-na-na:notes:
Lack of sleep really takes its toll.
But more that anything I bet it’s just the winter in general,
every morning is like a punch in the face.
If it were sunny and warm you’d be excited to be ‘almost 40 and STILL able to work like a 20 year old.’
Happens all the time, some things that help me is trying different tecniques, listening to music, even thinking how it would suck to have a normal job, even buying new tools lol. Even if its just a squeegee a new scrubber, scraper whatever just the feeling you get trying a new tool. I also heard somewhere that planning a vacation helps, the excitment that comes with planning, even if its just a weekend getaway.
i GUESS u guys all have good points… im gonna try the music and the tool buying!!! Let u guys know how i feel when spring comes around!!!Cant wait for some warm weather …thx guys much appreciated…
I have to say you work in some real tough conditions : just a thought maybe you should find a part time guy even one day a week to help take some load off . I’m a big fan of part timers that are there when you need them .
Sent from my iPhone using Window Cleaning Resource mobile app.
I grew up in NW Indiana and am familiar with the winter blues.
I believe that’s all it is.
A temporary feeling.
“This too shall pass.”
As far as the type of work you do, it’s all relative. There’s better work you could be doing from one perspective and a lot worse from another.
If it’s the monotony, try not to think of it as cleaning a house or a store with an infinite amount of dirty windows although it can feel that way.
Consider the service and quality you’re providing, the customers satisfaction, the personal satisfaction you get at the end of the day from doing a good job, the income that job brings and what it will buy.
And finally, keep in mind that you’re not alone. We’re out there doing the same lousy work you’re doing. 
I bet even a beaver occasionally thinks, "Man, I’m sick of doing this DAM work!
Sent from my iPhone using Window Cleaning Resource mobile app
Yeah, get a bluetooth headset and link it with an ipod. It’s professional looking and they don’t really need to know you’re listening to kid rock. Or get some podcasts/audiobooks going and educate your mind. It certainly breaks up the monotony. But winter is always a butt kicker.
One of my old employees mentioned that doing cooler doors is like rock climbing: don’t look down. If you look at the long row of doors you need to do, you’ll freak out. Just do the glass that’s in front of you and move on.
For me, I guess it’s always about thinking up new tools, new techniques, or just dreaming about the day that I have 4-5 employees and my only job is to bid the work, not do the work.
Here’s to dreaming about the $10-20,000 weeks where I only have to work 10-20 hours.
Look around for somewhere that offers red light therapy. I don’t know if you have a planet fitness near you but they usually have them. It was developed by NASA to simulate sunlight for astronauts, helps combat SAD or seasonal affective disorder, also known as winter blues or winter depression. You’ll leave that place with a new outlook on life if you mix in a little workout to release some endorphins!
I like listening to comedy shows on Pandora when I get bored with the music, and it definitely makes you laugh!
You’ll get through it man, I used to work the early morning shift at UPS. Anytime I get down with what I’m doing now, I just think of those cold mornings working my butt off for 200 bucks a week. That usually gives me the drive to finish the day on a positive note.
It’s hard to be self employed and continue to be successful when you lose your passion for the work. I experienced the same thing about 8 or 9 years ago; working two jobs and too many hours, just developed an animosity toward work period. Finally I switched to a less stressful line of work and a much better schedule. Then I kind of found a new passion for my business, doubled my gross in one season, hired on more employees who were in the same mindset as myself, we kicked a$$, and I was working a lot less and enjoying my summers. I’ll have to admit it is nice to leave the window cleaning scene for about 5 months out of the year. Working outside in the winter can really wear a guy out.
Part time worker I like the idea… I think its the weather with flu combination… Cause I really like doing windows… all summer and autumn was great …was loving every minute of it!! One thing for sure im booking my vacation in Maine in february for july!!! Just dreamin of Old Orchard Beach!!!Thx guys…
Yep, I can relate to you as well. I’m 50, working like a 30 year old, or something.
I lost my passion years ago. When I first started, the challenges and successes were like a natural high.
Now I consider my business and the share of labor I put in as a means to provide for my family. I still would rather clean windows in sub-freezing temps than clean carpets, clean houses (maid service) or work in a store! Have done all those to some extent.
… It’s definitely the lack of sleep with a new born. I actually got fired a month or so after my first child was born because I just couldn’t keep up and pay attention. So I can relate to where you’re at with that. I was 27 and working for a Heating and Cooling outfit. Now I’m 62 and working like I’m 40 
Maybe you just need to grow the business, get out of the field, so you’re doing something more engaging than cleaning windows.
So Im fighting off the winter blues …bought the Aqua adapter and im building a DIY trolley. Just picked up the flow controller and tommorow gonna get the water pump…Helps a bit…another decision ive taken …im taking no more weekly little places…take all my time for not much… Just big places once or twice a month…like my car dealerships…
No, I can’t say I do
What i sometimes do on my route work (store fronts) is change it up as far as route goes, i usually look for the best and fastes route but when it gets too much of a routine i switch up my route…even if it will take me alittle longer…just to make it seem different, even though its the same stores.
Lots of good advice in this thread on getting through the day to day grind. I agree with a lot of it… simulated sunlight, fill your iPhone with some podcasts, audiobooks and music you enjoy.
For me, though, the most important word in business is… “Why?”
You have to have a strong “why?” if you’re going to keep at it for the long haul. The work is too tiring, the customers are too annoying, and the weeks are too long. Get a weekend away, out of town, by yourself. Ask yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing. Is it just to provide for your family? Is it to give your kids an opportunity you never had? Is it to create a better life for yourself? Is it to amass a certain amount of wealth? Is it to achieve a certain freedom of lifestyle?
The more clear your answer to that question is, and the more defined the future goal is in your mind, the more likely you are to push through the funk, and thrive… not just survive.
It takes some work to get that focus dialed in, which is why I suggest the weekend away. It can seem impossible to make that happen, but it will make a world of difference. Do it now, while things are slower than they will be in a few months. Get your mother-in-law to come help the wife with the kids for a few days. Get a cheap hotel room in a town an hour or two away. Sit in a quiet place like a coffee shop or something, and get your goals really clearly laid out.
I do this at least once a year, sometimes twice a year. It really helps me stay focused. You will not regret it.
Billy,
You know where I stand on work load balanced with price increasing so I won’t harp on that again.
There are many things that my wife and I do to bring the focus off the stress of work. My wife too is an entrepreneur with people and contracts to manage.
You’re city is known for it’s great spas. There’s literally dozens. Every couple of months we go for a couple days. There’s some amazing deals. $99 per person for 1 hour massage with two days access to Scandinavian bathes with food included, with a nice hotel room included. It’s like going to an all-inclusive. We then drive the 15 minute trip back home from Laval feeling completely rejuvenated. Try it! You live in Laval!
I also enjoy working out at the gym at least twice per week. It’s difficult to begin but does wonders for your body and mind.
Above all we take our worries off of our own situations and do volunteer work. There’s so many people out there who need help!
