A case of the Ho-Hums

B

BzRman

Just womdering if anyone has any advice on how to get over the ho-hums. I find my job to be rather boring now. I don't have the same excitement or ambition I did a few years ago. I think this is my 13th year now and I know a lot of you have been doing it much longer and seem to still have a real passion for it. What's the secret? Any advice would be great.

Thanks
 
I think we all go through that. I find that most of the people that have stuck with this profession for a long time enjoy the challenge. When the challenge disappears expand, grow. I deal with that on a regular basis but i love what i do. My work is the only thing that keeps me sane.

Figure out what may challenge you the most... and go for it

That's just my 2cents
 
When I get depressed, all I have to do is think of other people places and times when others much less fortunate than I have been truly challenged by losing everything they had, and still persevering enough to rise and fight the good fight again despite their harrowing losses in life.

I refuse to slip away quietly into the night while still breathing and able.

Something about this work feeds my adrenaline addiction.

Jomoco
 
I, as well, think we all go through this.
Time to do a personal evaluation of what you do and why.

List everything you like and don't like about your work. What do you find rewarding? make that your focus.

I like to build relationships, it took years to figure that out. I don't like sitting at my desk but I tolerate it to do what I enjoy.
 
Maybe you need some time off. Just came back from Dom. Republic and saw how they live there. I was happy to come back to Canada and start work. Then it snowed.
 
If anyone here is depressed listen to the true story of Martin the Crow. I heard about this recently through a fellow treeworker -

Martin was used as a trapping bird in a Larsen Trap, a kind of double trap cage where one trapped bird is used to bait another bird into an adjacent part of the same cage.

Martin was held captive for 6 years, twice during these 6 years his feathers fell out from the stress of being locked up 24/7. He was totally bald twice in his tragic little life.

When fellow crows were caught in the adjacent area within the trap, the trapper would bludgeon the newly trapped crows to death in front of Martin. This happened at least 300 times in Martin's life.

One day when the trapper was putting some food in Martin's cage, he mistakenly left the trap door open.

After 6 gruelling years in captivity Martin escaped for about 2 minutes only to be attacked and killed by a mob of Ravens.

A cage similar to Martin's (where he was held for 6 years) -

larsen(5).jpg


I'm thinking of selling the rights to the story to Pixar.



.
 
I've had ups and downs over years, unfortunately this one is lasting a little longer. Maybe some soul searching will help me figure out what direction to go.

Grover, congratulations I'm off to get my first beer. What a depressing story. Odd little duck aren't you.
 
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What a depressing story.

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So you dont think Pixar would be interested then?


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[ QUOTE ]
If anyone here is depressed listen to the true story of Martin the Crow. I heard about this recently through a fellow treeworker -

Martin was used as a trapping bird in a Larsen Trap, a kind of double trap cage where one trapped bird is used to bait another bird into an adjacent part of the same cage.

Martin was held captive for 6 years, twice during these 6 years his feathers fell out from the stress of being locked up 24/7. He was totally bald twice in his tragic little life.

When fellow crows were caught in the adjacent area within the trap, the trapper would bludgeon the newly trapped crows to death in front of Martin. This happened at least 300 times in Martin's life.

One day when the trapper was putting some food in Martin's cage, he mistakenly left the trap door open.

After 6 gruelling years in captivity Martin escaped for about 2 minutes only to be attacked and killed by a mob of Ravens.

A cage similar to Martin's (where he was held for 6 years) -

larsen(5).jpg


I'm thinking of selling the rights to the story to Pixar.



.

[/ QUOTE ]
Thats a story that will cheer the kids up.
frown.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Wellll...no I don't think so. Maybe a story with puppies, no body likes crows.

[/ QUOTE ]

I love Heckle and Jeckle!

Jomoco
grin.gif
 
Hi BzR,

One fine morning, several years ago, I got a phone call. A job that I had interviewed for and really wanted, had come through! Yes! But it didn't start for three weeks.

So I needed three weeks work, fill the gap. Went to a temp agency. Got a job at a small plant that made autombile exhaust pipes. Didn't sound too bad.

Take a straight pipe from a cart of 100 straight pipes. Stick pipe on aligning flange. Step on a pedal. Machine takes pipe, bends it, hands it back. Take foot off pedal. Place bent pipe on another cart. Repeat. All. Day. Long.

No talking, no tunes allowed on shop floor, just mindless, repetitive monotony. They had men who had worked there for ten years. Good lord, I didn't make it the full three weeks.

Anytime I'm feeling a little hohum about my tree job, especially raking up, or shearing a couple long hedges on a drizzly day, I just think about those poor barstids, stuck in that sad place, bending their 578,000th exhaust pipe and reflect on how good I really have it.

Northwind
 
Ever catch chickens? if not go try it. I bet you don't last a night! Be grateful for who you are and what you have! All the best.
 
Every job will eventually get to that point. You need to find a challenge within your day to motivate you. Whether it's improving on your pruning technique, introducing a new climbing method. Increasing productivity, etc....

The excitement of any job comes from within you not from without.
 
I don't want to come off as though I completely hate what I do, I don't. I'm not saying I have nothing to learn, just the challenge of the job is gone. What used to be challenging is now routine. The younger guys I work with get pumped about trimming a large tree or something of the sort, I just look at it as an exhausting climb. I'm sure the fun will come back, I just have to find the fun again. The frustrating part is I'm not sure where to look right now.

Thanks
 
Ho hum, watcha climbing on. A change of scenery on my climbing belt can usually grab my interest back in a dry spell. What is your bread and butter...pruning? Go volunteer. Slam a few big ones for someone in need that pays with homecooking and sincere gratitude. I read in a book once that a man who refreshes others is himself refreshed....

Watching comps always brings me back to reality. Go rub shoulders at ISA this summer. Go buy a round after the prelims and listen to some of the vets at the pub tell of the old days...and of who will win the masters! Don't be afraid to shake some hands and hug some necks. This industry may not be perfect, but there are some damn good people around. World class men and women.

Welcome to the buzz.
 
Everday is a win when we can imagine.
Try to incorporate science and art into everything you do.

Feats of strength, Free climbingand test balance will always rejuvenate.
give the reigns to another and enjoy that.
 
This type of see saw is the world in which i live!!!
I am not even keeled and am prone toextended bouts of sadness....
My spiritual life is key!! but for those not seeking....Attend a show or synposium,talk to a fellow business owner,or climber, teach someone something or learn something new....get a new piece of equipment or change out an old piece of gear...Find a way every so often to re-invent or re-invigorate yourself....
Read some good self development literature...or watch some videos,,Tony robbins,jimRohn,Wayne Dyer...Read Victor Frankl's "Mans search for meaning"
Keep swinging my brother!!
Read psalms and proverbs!!
 
Definately some good advice in here. There have been a few things that I have thought of doing over the past fews years, maybe now is the time to try them out. Generally they get put on the back burner for all sorts of reasons. Time to bring those suckers to a rapid boil on the front burner. Move aside spaghetti BzR has plans. Nahh, I can wait 5 minutes, I love spaghetti.

Thanks again
 
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