Is it worth it

[Niggyh]

I've never been self employed before 2010 when I started the business so you guys can say I'm still in the honeymoon period, however...

I left a good job to do this work (plumber and tiler)(boo) because I was sick of creating nothing, other than paperwork, to be remembered by. I'm still a newbie and at 47 that's hard some days. I work at least 60 hrs a week and rarely get a day off but I feel like a working man. As I get better at what I do i feel pride in my work and along with the sh1tty days and cowboy customers I end up feeling some satisfaction in knowing I do a proper job. I also like to walk in the pub on a Friday night covered in muck and glory and know that people see I work hard for my money.

We're very lucky in that way; we do things other people can't do and we can change peoples homes for the better (when it goes right). When it goes less well we learn and get better at it. in a country that seems to have forgotten what pride and shame are we can sometimes look back at what we have done and be rightly proud.

If like me you are an improver you'll get this buzz only as long as you're in the game. It will take me around 20 years to be as good as I can be and by then I'll be retiring, hopefully, so that's about right.

 

[bugs183]

its just a metaphor bugs.
i put the video up because i thought it might lift a few peoples spirits thats all ;0). it was'nt meant to patronise or what not..the message in the video was more about attitude than maths.

best of luck with your new career

Of course i saw the metaphor Aston, as yo say it is a great vid, i was just injecting some humour!

 

[DGJ]

After 46yrs I feel lucky that I still love my job, and even luckier I am still fit enough to keep doing it, how long for, time will tell.

Im not self employed ( one day I'd love to be my own boss ) but as for my job, I DO love it but the body does take a real battering at times, I've given up playing rugby and running over the last few years down to dodgy knees, back pain, calf problems all from work. So although I do love my job at times I do think to myself there must be easier ways to earn living????

 

[bugs183]

After 46yrs I feel lucky that I still love my job, and even luckier I am still fit enough to keep doing it, how long for, time will tell.

If it's any help Phil my dads 73 and still tiling, he's still got the love! :smilewinkgrin:

 

[John Benton]

Im not self employed ( one day I'd love to be my own boss ) but as for my job, I DO love it but the body does take a real battering at times, I've given up playing rugby and running over the last few years down to dodgy knees, back pain, calf problems all from work. So although I do love my job at times I do think to myself there must be easier ways to earn living????

Somebody once told me, you'll never be a millionaire working stood up or on your knees. How true that statement is.

 

[bugs183]

My old man always said it!.
But fair do's he worked his socks off, looked after me my mum and my sister, has a lovely house and still gets out showing his dogs, so he did alot better than your average geezer.

 

[Peter]

Get down days and down weeks sometimes and it's difficult and worrying, but when things are going right it's hard to beat. As long as I can keep a fortnight ahead I'm happy. Think to myself there's bound to be easier ways of making a living and sometimes wish I got a job in technology but for the weeks where you worked yourself to the bone and get a good wage on Friday with plenty more coming in, it's a good feeling.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

If it's any help Phil my dads 73 and still tiling, he's still got the love! :smilewinkgrin:

I think my years at the gym and my 6 days a week martial arts helped keep me fit enough to keep up with the young bloods, that and my pride not wanting to be left behind.

 

[enduro]

I wouldnt want to be employed at the moment..If you lose your job it would be bloody hard to find another one.

 

[DHTiling]

If it's any help Phil my dads 73 and still tiling, he's still got the love! :smilewinkgrin:

If i am tiling at 73 , then shoooot me plz :lol: ... i hope to be retired LONG!! before that..

 

[enduro]

If i am tiling at 73 , then shoooot me plz :lol: ... i hope to be retired LONG!! before that..

Not many more years then Dave..

 

[DHTiling]

Not many more years then Dave..

*****..

 

[Pebbs]

I always worked for others, over the years I made these companies a lot of money, they got a lot of recognition for lovely pieces of work, and all I got was a bottle of something fizzy at Christmastime if I was lucky. So I took the big step one day, and decided this, I was fed of people making money out of me, and I would make money out of me. But with that comes a lot of responsibility, and a lot of heartache, and a lot of hours. Would I go back and work for one of the big boy companies again? Get stuffed would I? you are nothing but a statistic on a payroll sheet. Yes times are hard, you have to keep telling yourself these days will pass, in the meantime, you keep your head down and your mouth shut, and carry on.

Pebbs

 

[peteablard]

I always worked for others, over the years I made these companies a lot of money, they got a lot of recognition for lovely pieces of work, and all I got was a bottle of something fizzy at Christmastime if I was lucky. So I took the big step one day, and decided this, I was fed of people making money out of me, and I would make money out of me. But with that comes a lot of responsibility, and a lot of heartache, and a lot of hours. Would I go back and work for one of the big boy companies again? Get stuffed would I? you are nothing but a statistic on a payroll sheet. Yes times are hard, you have to keep telling yourself these days will pass, in the meantime, you keep your head down and your mouth shut, and carry on.

Pebbs

That's exactly what I've just done Lynn. As much as I enjoyed the hassle free life of being a subby I've decided to take on my own jobs. I'm 3/4 of the way through my first one direct for a shopfitting firm and so far so good although I know it won't be plain sailing all the way. I've already got orders from other companies and jobs booked in over the next few months so fingers crossed!!

 

[BoldreChris]

Before starting in this line four years ago, I had spent almost 30 years working in manufacturing industry, designing computers, communication systems, software and robots. I earned many times what I get now but I have to say that this job is the best I've ever had ! I get to meet lots of great people and they give me opportunities to do great work - some of it tiling, some of it not - and the results are purely down to me. It's my decisions and effort that lead to my job satisfaction. There's non-one else to blame when things go wrong and that's quite a motivator too.

I won't go back to being employed while my family and I can get by (just) on what I'm earning now. Generally, I'm booked up 2 to 3 months ahead and that's still the case even today. Can't actually fit a holiday in even if I could afford one but I enjoy the work so much that I just don't feel the need for one anyway.

I never thought I wanted to be self-employed but after taking the plunge, I'm committed and loving it !