Getting burnt out>>>>help please!

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I feel like im starting to get burnt out. I contract climb for different companies and im booked for the next two weeks of solid climbing. The more and more trees I do the scaryier they feel to me, it use to be alot of fun. And now its all about how fast I can get things done, the more trees I do even if the bark is split just a lil bit I use that as an excuse to not have to climb it. I feel like im lossing it!

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yeah, man, you are getting burned out.

We all get burned out.

I used to get burned out every 3 years as a business owner.

Now, it seems, it's 3 to 5 times a year. Suck it up or quit.

"the more and more trees I do, the scarier they feel to me", sorry, I've never experienced this. The more and more I do, the easier and more efficient I always am. I don't know what's going on with you here. If I just take off a week from removals or big trims, I notice a big difference in my climbing and efficiency and stamina. This spring, I had like a month and a half off of everday climbing due to tree planting and ground stuff like that. I sucked getting back into big removals, I was ashamed of myself.

I don't contract climb, I own the business but it's always been about, "its all about how fast I can get things done".

This isn't rec climbing you know.

You don't do the tree removal if the bark is split?

This seems disturbing to me, if you are a veteran tree climber. Why don't you have more intuition and knowledge to evaluate a tree more than this? So... Maybe you are just looking for excuses not to climb I guess. You must really be in bad shape. You better take some time off I guess....

Oh, and just a note in reference to other posts. A company can possibly hire a contract climber; simply because they are swamped with work and need to get more jobs done. It isn't always because they don't have a climber or climbers skilled enough to do the jobs.

Boogie, I don't know how you get close to $75 an hour. I know we would never pay you that.

Hope you get better.
 
That's a little heavy-handed, don't you think, X? Guy comes on here for some counsel, and gets put down? Give him a break, man. We're all wired differently.

-Tom
 
Wondering though if we aren't getting the whole story. Has something recently happened that was a pretty close call that has gotten you on edge and all messed up inside? That would make sence based on what you are saying being I know similiar things have happened to myself and others, where we start p*ssy footing things after it for a little. If so the case, either get over it or just move on.
 
Sounds like a break is in order.

Is it stressful to show up on game day for your first look at a tree?

I just did my first contract climbing job, and it was pretty much the first time that I didn't have the opportunity to see the tree while bidding, and having some time to mull it over before climbing. It gives me time to feel comfortable, and figure the most efficient way, balanced with safest way to get the tree down.

Might it help on some sketchy trees to visit before the work day?
 
Question # 1: who is driving your bus. You or the person who hires you?

If it isn't you, then you need to fix that before you go any further.

Then you can begin to apply rule #1:

You don't have to take every job that comes your way.

just food for thot.
 
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I feel like im starting to get burnt out. I contract climb for different companies and im booked for the next two weeks of solid climbing. The more and more trees I do the scaryier they feel to me, it use to be alot of fun. And now its all about how fast I can get things done, the more trees I do even if the bark is split just a lil bit I use that as an excuse to not have to climb it. I feel like im lossing it! haha.....I feel like I just need to take a week off and get my head back in the game....because im proud of the huge trees and messed up jobs ive got done for people...thats why they call me! Im also sick of companies paying me hourly to just drop stuff and they dont have to clean up and have them make more money than me, you would think just a drop and flop they would just hand over to me.....like I do for chipping jobs to them!?! I havent seen someone else climb in like 3 years....hard for me to stay confident when I dont know what I could be doing better, or what im doing wrong. I think time off is key....any advice from anyone whos hit a wall like this before would be great...or just tell me to grow up would work too I guess lol then i would cry myself to sleep!! hahaha Thanks.....

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Take an inventory of what you like about this business and what you don't. Focus more on what you like and turn that way. I went through the same thing you're going through, take a deep breath and work towards making some changes.

And FTR, I'm happy with the way things turned out.
 
Boogie,
If I recall you are also a FT firefighter?!?

Maybe that is the real reason for the burn out? Might be time to choose ONE career path.

Best wishes.
 
Im a full-time paramedic, but have cut my hours in half because of contract jobs and storm work. I think driving my own bus is a good idea...and I really havent had any close calls persay...just the occasonal ride but never gaffed out lately! lol....and I know I think I am looking for a reason not to climb lately when saying a trees has a split in the bark! haha for god sake I live in Michigan home of the dead ash tree ive climbed hundreds!!! Which I climbed a live ash tree for the first time in five years last week in Grand Rapids, MI. But honestly I think time off is needed...I love climbing trees and I love the work, its what ive grown up doing. I just felt lately like im looseing my edge, and hoped someone on here could give me advise to smash it and move on. I really appreciate all the advice!!! And I dont respond to negative people, im sorry that you hate your life so much that you have to be in a bad mood. Im pretty sure I didnt hold a gun to anyones head and make you read these post. To everyone else Thank You.
 
IMO I love all you SOBs and to the thread starter.....you know you love it....take a break listen to all the good advise that these fokes give. Keep going up while you can and while you love it because the day will come that you wish it could be like it is now. God save us crazy basterds....lol
 
Wow 75 an hr. That is awesome. I was always told that you wouldn't get rich doing treework. Top climbers in this area get b/t 25-30 an hr. These guys are good too. Contract climbing(which I do) albiet part-time, is a different animal all-together. As a full-time employee, very rarely would I be able to opt out of a situation. Never as a contract climber. My job is to come in and do a job. I don't look at a clock or complain about the situation. The job desciption is to come in and get it done, or don't come back. Maybe in your area there is a shortage of good climbers but here there are plenty.
 
Don't get me wrong, there are great climbers in the area but they work for bigger outfits. But you can also throw a stick and hit someone who SAY they climb trees. Just had a guy the other day call and said he could climb to heaven! Lol 110ft oak tree had a different thought about that. I am in a good place because I have the connections and know the people to book myself work. 25-30hr? That's just different areas. You probaly couldnt afford to live in naples, flordia but one tree in that area could buy a house I bet! Don't misunderstand that if I look at a tree we'll get it down, but it might not be what the hack tree company had in mind, and I'm starting to charge more because I bring in my own guy to run ropes! I'm sick of guys who have never seen a porta wrap let alone figure they could use it.
 
I think you should charge whatever you feel comfortable with.We provide services and skills few people in the world can match and we should be rewarded financially.Pick and choose the jobs you want to do and i think you will get re-energized.Don't forget you are a tree climber you're tough.Good luck.
 
I climb a couple times a month for these guys, I charge them 65$ an hour. I wouldn't bother for 25-30$/hr. Having my own business, it's a PITA to schedule them in, as things don't work out as planned in your own line of work, from weather, break downs, overages, etc. They are paying for the PITA factor, because it's more than a pita at times, but it sure is nice leaving them with a mountain of debris as I drive home with a fat check. They love it, they are pretty much glorified groundsman, they even sub the chipper which I decline to do so for them.
 
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Maybe in your area there is a shortage of good climbers but here there are plenty

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Dout it, sounds to me he's a bser.

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I climb a couple times a month for these guys, I charge them 65$ an hour. I wouldn't bother for 25-30$/hr

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Thats cuase Brendon V is the man we all know just how much work you can do in a day with a f 350. Roll that 8 yard chip truck. LMAO. your a joke.

Please just do your main job and help us out when we get hurt. Do your super tree jobs on the side 1-2 days aweek.
 
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Maybe in your area there is a shortage of good climbers but here there are plenty

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Dout it, sounds to me he's a bser.

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I climb a couple times a month for these guys, I charge them 65$ an hour. I wouldn't bother for 25-30$/hr

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Thats cuase Brendon V is the man we all know just how much work you can do in a day with a f 350. Roll that 8 yard chip truck. LMAO. your a joke.

Please just do your main job and help us out when we get hurt. Do your super tree jobs on the side 1-2 days aweek.

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you boozin tonight Ed?
 
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[we all know just how much work you can do in a day with a f 350. Roll that 8 yard chip truck. LMAO. your a joke.

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hahahahahahahahahaha! Holly, you buying into the 'more stuff taken out' thing now too?

Some of my best days have been when I drive away with a little teeny load, but climbed all day to make it. Granted, a chip truck would be nice to have if it followed me around all the time, but don't disparage us high end arbos just 'cuz you can't make a grand or two without filling up a big truck vroom vroom.

What kind of chip truck do you own, Hollister?

-Tom
 
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