can,t seem to get back into the project

[grumpyvette]

I GOT THIS EMAIL QUESTION

" GRUMPY?
All I could think of last year at work was getting some time off this winter so I could work on and get something done, on my 1970 Pontiac GTO. but now When I get the time off work ,and I have a whole list of parts and potential upgrades,on the car, just a near endless list of things I want to get done,I lack the enthusiasm,to tackle the project and even little upgrades seem like IM pissing into a strong wind, I end up going out to the garage looking at my car and a shelf full of parts, looking at the car and thinking about whats required,all the work, all the parts I have and my mind goes blank and I struggle to motivate myself to do anything. I usually look around and think F this, I,ll never be able to get this done so I think about what needs to be done for 15-20 minutes and go back inside.

Does anyone else have this problem,what do you do to make yourself get started back into what seems to be a hopeless expensive mechanical mess? "

your problem is all too common,probably 1/4 of the 1/2 finished project cars that get sold for pennies on the dollar are sold for just that reason, and in my experience the cure seems to be found in finding some local car guys, and joining a car club that you can hang out with, so you can mutually help each other, if you get up and walk out and look at the project by yourself theres a strong tendency to go get a few beers and watch TV or do something..anything but work on the car, but if theres two or three of you and your working as a team with a goal, and can talk thru each problem and have a couple guys helping on each others projects the tendency is reduced significantly, or at least you have a few beers while B.S.ing and working on the cars, yes youll spend some time working on other guys cars and thats not directly helping your project but you might be amazed at what you learn and how your project progresses.
let me say Ive regretted selling almost every muscle car, or corvette, Ive ever owned, so its rather silly too sell one that you like, but just don,t have time for if its not costing you anything to sit in your garage, just too start over from scratch in a year on a different project.
most guys have at least some competitive spirit and when your part of a group you tend to want to (BELONG) and in most cases that motivates you to get out a do a few things, yes you might find your goals change a bit as you work on other guys projects but in general your project tends to progress as you make more contacts in the hobby and find you have both occasional help and in influx of new ideas.
with myself its usually a lack of cash either due just too bills or family matters that take precedent, I can do a great deal of the work, and have the skill and tools but the limited cash flow due to being retired and previous injuries sucks ,
so like most guys I do what I can as cash and time allow!

theres five real common project killers in my experience, many of those can be cured or at least helped by joining and becoming an active member in at least two local car clubs, and locating the local guys with similar interests

lack of cash to buy parts
lack of a semi decent place to work
lack of friends with similar interests that mutually help each other
lack of skills and tools
tendency to buy parts that don,t match your goals



related threads, each gives you a bit more insight
viewtopic.php?f=87&t=5976&p=18464&hilit=getting+started+hobby#p18464

viewtopic.php?f=87&t=339&p=17657&hilit=getting+started+hobby#p17657

viewtopic.php?f=87&t=4687&p=12679&hilit=getting+started+hobby#p12679

viewtopic.php?f=87&t=4523&p=11968&hilit=getting+started+hobby#p11968

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=775&p=9340&hilit=cash+wasting#p9340

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=5893&p=18037&hilit=reluctance#p18037

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=609

viewtopic.php?f=38&t=898&p=3239&hilit=+first+swap+lemans#p3239

viewtopic.php?f=80&t=633&p=847&hilit=cash+wasting#p847

 

[Indycars]

Anytime I look at the project as a whole, it seems impossible and de-motivating.

Only look at the whole project to decide what you should work on first. Then FOCUS on the smaller project and it won't seem so over whelming. When I finish one of the smaller projects I feel I've accomplished something and this motivates me. Then I want to get started on the next smaller project.

Just remember the big picture is always going to seem over whelming, so just concentrate on the brakes or ignition or something small, relative to the whole project.


How do you eat an elephant, ONE bite at a time.

 

[mathd]

Yeah hate when i get in this non-enthusiasm mood.
When this happen i look at what i have done so far on the car, looking at picture of the previous work really get my enthusiasm kicking back in .(that make me feel like. oh yeah i did that very well am better that i thought i was and it was easy to do and didnt take much time finally)

If that dont work, i go on some forum looking at the "project progress" pict from other people, where they have lot more work done and to do on the project then i, and i look lots of youtube video from the summernats, supercharged car or local drag racing .

Some other time i think about how much i wanted one of these car before, and that many people could sell they mom/house and mind just to own one of these car, that give me a slight kick in the butt.

I also see it as a mind challenging project, it help to get stronger and i can feel i have "done something/pushed myself further" when im finish.

Its best not to see the project as a whole, as indycars stated. Thats the best advice. Just focuse to one thing at once in the car and get started before you start to think too much and abbandon again.