As I stated in the other forum, spammers are winning here.
Yet I will keep posting until there is a solution.
And today my question for everyone is: those of you who work solo, how do you prevent yourself from going bonkers?
I have a dog, but he is not a substitute for a human.
I thought you were going to say "Bankrupt" - another topic for self employed. Today medical coverage informed me that my premium will increase by over $ 500.00 but the deductible will stay level at $14,000 - ain't this a load of crap -
I have two dogs that keep me sane :)
SA
The 4 walls of my shop really close in on me. Facebook upholstery groups, and other forums like this one help me keep my sanity.
I have a commercial store front, but in this kind of business, that only equates to a couple of customers a day.
My daughter works nearby, so she bums a free lunch off me every day. Otherwise I might go bonkers myself.
Yes four walls and solitude can cause claustrophobia. For me opening the garage door invites the occasional neighbor to stop by. Many neighborhood children are very curious as to what is going on inside my shop. But best of all is the neighbors dog who stops by every day to munch on a few biscuits.
Indeed, bankrupt is another topic.
Tonight I attended a local designer's meeting. The competition among furniture companies is fierce. It did not make me feel much better about re-upholstery. I suppose some custom work, here and there.
These designers are raking in huge amountso of money.
Yes, check, please, another topic
Quote from: sofadoc on November 09, 2017, 04:59:24 pm
The 4 walls of my shop really close in on me. Facebook upholstery groups, and other forums like this one help me keep my sanity.
I think that might be up for debate?
Quote from: byhammerandhand on November 30, 2017, 03:31:03 pm
Quote from: sofadoc on November 09, 2017, 04:59:24 pm
The 4 walls of my shop really close in on me. Facebook upholstery groups, and other forums like this one help me keep my sanity.
I think that might be up for debate?
I'll have you know I represent that remark.
Quote from: 65Buick on November 09, 2017, 02:24:14 pm
And today my question for everyone is: those of you who work solo, how do you prevent yourself from going bonkers?
I have a dog, but he is not a substitute for a human.
I would much rather have my dog to keep me company than most humans. But then I am a grumpy old man. :(
Left alone? Might allow a lot to get done.
Doyle
Doyle:
I think you hit the nail on the head. I am driven crazy during the day taking tech calls, answering e-mails and taking orders. Ingrid and I split the two companies. SHe is in charge of the awning company and I run the manufacturing company.
The older I get the more I cannot handle the constant commotion so I have reverted to working mornings to handle calls and take orders and then go home. Sleep for a few hours and then go into the shop after closing. I can get 3 times the work done at night alone then I can during the day. The other thing I have found is that when alone with no distractions I make very few mistakes and can stay on task.
Maybe it is age or something but I find it harder to get back to where I left off when I get pulled away from work or distracted.
Mojo
Its not just you Mojo. According to this guy your brain can only fully and efficiently focus on one thing at a time. I honestly do not understand people who feel they must be plugged in 24/7. It drives me bonkers when conversing with a customer or business associate and they stop me in mid-sentence to answer their phone. Its especially bad in the work place. People feel they must react to a text message immediately. I have had people get upset with me because it took more then 1 hour to respond. People these days, especially the younger crowd spend more time responding to messages, both work related and personal, than they do creative work.
How the Digital Age Zaps Productivity
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/devices-probably-ruining-productivity-heres
Quote from: kodydog on December 04, 2017, 10:48:23 am
People these days, especially the younger crowd spend more time responding to messages, both work related and personal, than they do creative work.
I have some customers that get furious if I don't respond to their texts immediately. Yet if I were to call them, they let it go to voicemail.
Not to be a naysayer but I like the email and texts I get from customers. It keeps me off the phone. My secretary was told by me to treat them just like a phone call. Respond as quickly as possible or they will call and waste her time and probably mine. Technology is good if you can make good use of it. I guess if I was alone I would not feel the same.
I actually had a discussion about this.
The advent of technology is changing people's brains. In addition to that, the human brain can process written words more efficiently. Ever say something you didn't mean? That's it.
Now that we have written messages it allows us to more concisely state our point.
And, it is now a legal thing. Written messages may be referred to more easily for reference if something goes wrong.
As far as timing, yes, people are now getting even more impatient. You don't respond, they will find someone who does - immediately. This can be troublesome if you get a customer who takes advantage of that, though.
Quote from: 65Buick on December 04, 2017, 05:27:25 pm
This can be troublesome if you get a customer who takes advantage of that, though.
Not if someone else deals with it :)
Quote from: 65Buick on December 04, 2017, 05:27:25 pm
I actually had a discussion about this.
The advent of technology is changing people's brains. In addition to that, the human brain can process written words more efficiently. Ever say something you didn't mean? That's it.
Now that we have written messages it allows us to more concisely state our point.
And, it is now a legal thing. Written messages may be referred to more easily for reference if something goes wrong.
As far as timing, yes, people are now getting even more impatient. You don't respond, they will find someone who does - immediately. This can be troublesome if you get a customer who takes advantage of that, though.
Good points Mr Buick. I was having a political discussion with my sister. Right before she unfriended me she accused me of plagiarizing. When I''m making a point especially when debating politics I try to make sure my facts are correct, my words are used correctly and my T's are crossed. Sometimes it takes 3 or 4 edits.
In our business we have found that with e-mail being so impersonal we get a lot of "not really serious" requests for estimates. 3 or 4 a day. Often from people outside of our service area or even out of state. We have also found that when giving a serious estimate we better get as close to accurate as possible. This means Rose has to ask lots of questions and have them send a photo. Of course the first question she asks is, where are you. People who are just shopping price don't realize this uses lot of valuable time and takes away from productive work.
Yes Kody I can understand the frustration. Often people don't realize that we are small shops, etc, and that we don't have the manpower to give detailed quotes on a whim. It is frustrating though as everything becomes more and more "I want it, and I want it now"
Our businesses, being internet based brings us a ton of e-mail and text traffic everyday. I prefer these mediums versus people coming in the door for a visit or calling. I can answer the e-mails and texts at my leisure and during breaks. Returning phone calls is a PITA. I was returning calls last night till 8 PM. This is what happens when you are a National company and have west coast customers.
In regards to cell phone use our stitcher leaves his phone on the lunch room table and does not carry it. He turns it on and returns personal calls and texts on his breaks and lunch hour. I refuse to allow an employee to have their cell phones on them during work hours.
I would love to know a semi-accurate figure of the lost productivity of employees who use their cell phones during business hours or answer personal calls and emails. It has to be in the billions.
Mojo
Re-Posting this https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/devices-probably-ruining-productivity-heres
Responding to an Email Could Cost You 28 Minutes
Gazzaley stresses that our tendency to respond immediately to emails and texts hinders high-level thinking. If you're working on a project and you stop to answer an email, the research shows, it will take you nearly a half-hour to get back on task.
Yes that most definitely is true. And the brain focuses well for only 1/2 hour at a time, at the most. Concentrating type thinking.
I think that people want a prompt answer. If they expect instantaneous answer, well, you probably don't want to deal with them anyway.
Quote from: kodydog on December 07, 2017, 04:22:22 pm
Re-Posting this https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/devices-probably-ruining-productivity-heres
Responding to an Email Could Cost You 28 Minutes
Gazzaley stresses that our tendency to respond immediately to emails and texts hinders high-level thinking. If you're working on a project and you stop to answer an email, the research shows, it will take you nearly a half-hour to get back on task.
The same is true of interruptions, "Hey, gotta minute?"
Can't argue those points!
Doyle