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How do you keep motivated to finish?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Swiss50chevy, Jan 25, 2013.

  1. seanbelushi
    Joined: Jan 26, 2011
    Posts: 175

    seanbelushi
    Member

    I find something small that I can tackle in one day, even if it's something that doesn't NEED to be done right now. For example, I've been replacing rusted metal for darn near a year now, and have grown really tired of making panels. So, I restored the gauges the other day. Was it crucial that they get done then, no, but it was something that I could start and finish relatively quickly and see some completion in short order. Those things always give me motivation. You could also shine some chrome, clean taillight lenses, etc. Little things that need to be done eventually...
     
  2. 60srailjob
    Joined: Nov 14, 2008
    Posts: 1,218

    60srailjob
    Member
    from nowhere

    Try working on something not related to body work.....
     
  3. cartoon14
    Joined: Jan 21, 2013
    Posts: 46

    cartoon14
    Member

    help a buddy work on his car for a few days always worked for me. I used to think I lacked motivation but hell I got friends who've had 'em sit around the shop 10 years or more with no progress.
     
  4. robertsregal
    Joined: Oct 2, 2008
    Posts: 743

    robertsregal
    Member

    try working a couple panels and get them into the primer stage this will show you progress and will keep you moving forward or dedicate a couple of full days to the car and get the whole car in primer. In my time as a auto body tech some times you have to get angry and tell yourself this son of a b!!!! will be in primer by the end of the day. Seeing progress helps!!
     
  5. das858
    Joined: Jul 28, 2010
    Posts: 1,014

    das858
    Member

    Like many have already said, take a break for a week or two, go to a car show and get some inspiration, dig up some old magazine articles on cars that interest you, when you come back to it, work on a small project unrelated to body work that you can complete in a day, and than go back to body work.
     
  6. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 30,629

    The37Kid
    Member

    Lack of money can bring a project to a halt and kill any motivation, here is what I started a few months ago. Get a box and start collecting all the odds and ends around the shop, basement, attic, were ever you have unneeded crap. It is crap to you, but chanches are someone out there needs it, and will pay for it. "That auction site" has a section for everything, when it sells leave the money in PayPal. In a while you will have some project money. Nothing better than buying parts with found money. Buying parts that allow you to finish one part of the build and move on to another is a sure sign of progress. Bob
     
  7. big bad john
    Joined: Aug 11, 2010
    Posts: 4,727

    big bad john
    Member

    ....I have lots of friends helping me....
     
  8. ChefMike
    Joined: Dec 16, 2011
    Posts: 647

    ChefMike
    Member

    seeing finished vehicles is what keeps me going and a brother in-law that thinks I 'll give up and should just buy a completed vehicle. To him I say hell - NO !!
     
  9. It's easy to be motivated at first. Jump in with both feet and go crazy. But burn out definitely happens when all the (fun) stuff is done and all your left with is the work, I burned out on my 36. So I just shot some primer on it to get it on the road after 2 years of work. Having it in one color is definitely a motivator, car looks cool as shit. . Now that it's on the road I realize that driving a roadster sucks and want to sell. It really is an illness.
     
  10. GREASER815
    Joined: Dec 2, 2008
    Posts: 973

    GREASER815
    Member

    I enjoy going places in my car, usually enough motivation to keep pushing and get back on the road again.
     
  11. bigvinny
    Joined: Jun 24, 2012
    Posts: 282

    bigvinny
    Member

    set small goals. Like I will mock up trans mount today. or I will get one door sanded today. Or take a brake and clean-organize shop. it clears your mind.
     
  12. Again going in circles and not acomplishing anything will kill motivation.
    Even a cat gets fed up with chasing its tail.

    I still see paint and lots of it, what are you filling ( dents, wrinkled, cracked paint ? ) and what are you filling it with on top of the old paint ?
     
  13. Von Richthofen
    Joined: Oct 28, 2009
    Posts: 246

    Von Richthofen
    Member

    Just keep at it when its finished you,ll feel
    great and realize all the sanding cuts and busted knuckels are worth it
    when your driving it .
     
  14. gsport
    Joined: Jul 16, 2009
    Posts: 677

    gsport
    Member

    i read the HAMB for motivation... doesn't always work, but it helps. hmmmm, now after reading this i might go out in the shop today for awhile...
     
  15. Another thing that helps is to post photos of what you have been able to accomplish,,believe me the members hear love photos and 99 % of the reply's will be positive if you adhere to the style that is Hamb friendly.

    Believe me there were times when I almost lost interest in my project but posted a photo or two and the encouragement was overwhelming.

    The guys that may have a project similar to what you are working on or had one can be your biggest cheerleaders,they want to see you succeed and when you post again they will reply.

    Good luck and try and stay focused. HRP
     
  16. King Karl
    Joined: Sep 27, 2007
    Posts: 383

    King Karl
    Member
    from N.C.

    You must be from the left coast. I hear that the toilet water spins the opposite direction when you flush over there too. Lol
     
  17. Mildsteel
    Joined: Dec 27, 2009
    Posts: 74

    Mildsteel
    Member
    from VALE N.C.

    You could sell it then where would you be? No where! But now yoursome where between SCREW THIS AND GOOD ENOUGH. NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
    This is what I did preparing my 67 Chevelle. A friend of mine is an excellent body man( who ended up painting my Chevelle } and I would ask him to stop by and take a look. Every time I thought I was done he'd saya little more here and a little there and finally he said thats it now we will paint it. then boom the carseem to build it self.Bazinga!
     
  18. Lobucrod
    Joined: Mar 22, 2006
    Posts: 4,122

    Lobucrod
    Alliance Vendor
    from Texas

    Ask the wife if there is anything she wants done to the house. After some of that you will be dying to get back to work on the Hotrod. Don't ask me how I know!
     
  19. boo
    Joined: Jul 6, 2005
    Posts: 580

    boo
    Member
    from stuart,fl.

    take a brake..i took one 25 years ago on my 40 coupe, now i'm working on it every day, like having a new project. moonshine festival got me fired up. hope to drive it there this year.
     
  20. go-twichy
    Joined: Jul 22, 2010
    Posts: 1,648

    go-twichy
    BANNED

    boy, talking about dancing with the devil.... that might be enough motivation to get you through the longest block sanding session. [​IMG]
     
  21. Not wanting the Wife saying I told you so.:cool: Also if I stay in the house I may have to watch the Hallmark channel:eek:
     
  22. shinysideup
    Joined: Sep 1, 2008
    Posts: 1,627

    shinysideup
    BANNED
    from ruskin, fl

    Its gonna look and feel like shit right up till it suddenly looks real fine. Power thru that.
     
  23. tfeverfred
    Joined: Nov 11, 2006
    Posts: 15,791

    tfeverfred
    Member Emeritus

  24. 62131
    Joined: Oct 25, 2012
    Posts: 55

    62131
    Member
    from glasgow,ky

    I read the builds on the Hamb and I go to the garage to keep from watching her TV shows
     
    Last edited: Jan 26, 2013
  25. GassersGarage
    Joined: Jul 1, 2007
    Posts: 4,727

    GassersGarage
    Member

    I was raised to finish what you start!
     
  26. DAVEO!
    Joined: Dec 4, 2011
    Posts: 291

    DAVEO!
    Member

    when i start getting burned out i go on youtube or what not look up the car im building then i get motivated to keep on moving forward.
     
  27. groundpounder
    Joined: Jul 1, 2010
    Posts: 260

    groundpounder
    Member Emeritus

    Good to hear I'm not the only one!....side jobs get in the way also! Been working on a side job for the past year, and just got finished with it!....took a couple weeks off!...now I'm on day three of my project. It's been 4 years and finally looking like something!...I have found cleaning the shop motivates me!,,,,Beer is also a good motivator!...hang in there and read the HAMB!
     
  28. poor boy pumpkin
    Joined: Feb 27, 2011
    Posts: 21

    poor boy pumpkin
    Member

    My opinion..... Walkin away and takin a break is for "old guys" and pussies that give up. ;) Anyways, my point is you need the vision in your head and the discipline to finish. A whole project can be overwhelming all at once. You know how a car goes together so one list of shit at a time. Second thing that helps me is make it a point to do something on it everyday. All day or 1/2 hour doesnt matter. The only way to finish is to start. And look at it this way, youre either the guy with the bad ass car or youre the guy wishin you had a bad ass car. Witch one are you? :)
     
  29. Swiss50chevy
    Joined: Apr 30, 2009
    Posts: 561

    Swiss50chevy
    Member

    It would help if my friends had same interests in classic cars and could lend a hand. But we can't all be perfect :)


    Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
     
  30. You need new friends!:D HRP
     

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