Burn Out

This year I have not made near as much progress on my build as I have over the last 4-5 years. Earlier in the year I was almost to the point of giving up and parting out my long term build. The first few years the progress was fairly extreme and you could see the difference every time I walked in. As the build has progressed and gotten to the more nit-picky parts it has slowed down. Someone that walks in now won't notice much change from 2-3 months ago, heck even I don't see much change just know what I've accomplished. Over the last 5 years I've barely fired up the motorcycle, have turned down invites from friends to go places since I felt like I needed to stay home on the weekends to work on the CJ6, and had my first grandson born in March. Last spring/summer the thought of selling the Jeep for parts just to get it out of the shop even crossed my mind. I realized that I'm doing this for me and my enjoyment, there is no pay check at the end of this, and this is suppose to be being created for fun. So why am I spending every non-working hour in the shop by myself? Now I go out and mess with it a couple three hours on the weekend. Don't get much done but, I'm also able to do other fun things.

 

Hey. You have a new grandson. My advice from one grandpa to another… that’s where your attention needs to be. When he gets older, you can introduce him to your Jeep and make it a bonding time with his his grandpa. Those times go by so fast, and kids grow up even faster. and if you aren’t careful you’ll miss them. It’s much better to have them have memories of their grandpa spending time with them instead of their grandpa being distracted with something else. With everything going on in the world, kids need a good positive influence that sometimes only their grandpa can give them.
So don’t apologize for making your grandkids a higher priority.

 

I haven't worked on mine for two months.
It's torn down for motor mounts and dual res master cylinder.

lord knows I want to drive it, but he has sent someone that needs more time to get up and running. Something I can't fix myself.

Just put the car aside and make it a point say hi to us each morning. Just take a brake but don't give up.

20211212_184918 by Joe with a jeep, on Flickr

 

We’ve all experienced this, especially with these longer term projects. I have a different kind of issue where I need to force myself to slow down and think/plan/do it correctly. But the mental blocks come from time to time. Especially with limited barn time these days with my three tiny humans. And it’s particularly frustrating when my goal may be to bend up a nice fuel line only to kink it on the last bend. Regardless, I set goals but keep in mind if I can just accomplish one task per barn session, that’s progress and the project moves forward. Sometimes I need to jump to a different more fulfilling task to keep moving forward. Others probably call this procrastination. Bygones. For me if nothing else it’s those small victories that keep it and me moving forward.

And like you’ve already mentioned, sometimes I need to remind myself this is something I enjoy doing. It’s alright to admit sometimes the process isn’t enjoyable but the bits of fulfillment along the way and the prize at the end makes it totally worth it.

 

During the last year of my build, I just wanted to be done with it. I was sick of it. It was gratifying to look back at how much I’d gotten completed, but looking forward at how much more there was to go was debilitating. I had to think of it as a job, and for two hours every morning, I clocked in, got stuff done, and clocked out. I knew it was a commitment I started, and it was a project that only I could finish the way it was intended.

In the end, the goods outweigh the bads, and the dread is overshadowed by the joy. Stick with it, you’ll get there!!

 

x2

 

Without going into detail, I had a problem diagnosis on one of my classic vehicles, that had me pulling my hair out for a year during which time I was ready to put it out by the street with a "free" sign on it.

I finally found the defective part, and now I'm so happy, it's like being a teenager in love. AND really really pleased that I still have my favorite ride. It was all well worth it.

On the other hand, freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose... Sometimes we get caught up in something and keep chasing the "sunk costs" when in reality we should just realize we took a wrong turn and cut loose from it, and move on. What is it you really want as an outcome?

"Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" had some profound advice on how to escape the "Gumption Traps" that we all hit sometimes. Changed my outlook for the better.

 

My first grandson had the same thing he’s doing great at four years old. My daughter found an excellent doctor near by cutting edge type stuff let me know if you want some information.

 

I think we have all been in this place. What started as a blown up D25 axle shaft that I was just going to replace in my 3B seven years back morphed into completely replacing both axles, springs, shock mounts, engine, clutch, engine mounts, new winch and mounts, modifying the frame (again), rewiring a bunch of it, and a host of other changes. Project creep? I guess so. I may actually get it started again this week--------

 

Took me to retire to get things done. I gave myself an open budget to do what needs done. I do understand that old jeeps are never done. We are cathoarders for new projects without the smell.

 

After a year of wanting it just gone for free to anyone or anywhere, I decided to chuck it all back together. Its happened before. I let it sit for 5+ years the first time around. Its starting to come together now and momentum is building. I hope to have this junk pile running well enough to think about Colorado this summer...

 

That is the way I get. Usually too many other irons in the fire. Are you doing a write up on the "new" changes? Got a link for it.

 

Maybe.. I also got burnt out on documenting all the work. ..

I also have the first time off of work in about 11 months of 24/7 .. been busy.

 

Your documentation was appreciated. Most of my crap has now been delivered for this phase. Monday I will order the next change to have it ready.
Hope that being busy is a good thing.