ez-duzit
Well-known member
Have you tried sitting alone on a mountain top?
Something just clicked…..
- Thread starter Strouty
- Start date
bczygan
Well-known member
I've learned that lesson about hanging on to things because of what they might be worth, or because I think I can fix them up, or because of what I paid for them.
I gradually learned to just throw them out.
Of course I have been practicing that with my wife's things....because it is so much easier for me!
(Really...please don't tell her!)I'm practicing up for doing it with more of my stuff!
I have gotten better about NOT buying things just because they are good deals. Went out garage sale shopping last weekend and just passed the usual stuff right by. Usually I would have bought things, even if I already had them, just because they were a deal, But not now.
Will admit though, to buying some HD clearance items to flip. But even that is a waste of time because of the effort required to make a profit. And I should be doing other things anyway.
I get a charge and a high out of getting a good deal, and either keeping it or getting another rush by reselling at a profit. But the mundane effort to clear and clean and organize my own domain, while boring and humdrum and difficult in the present, will pay off with much deeper and longer lasting happiness in the end. But it sure is difficult to face the drudgery instead of the quick fix fun.
Bill
kb1luo
Well-known member
Just reading through some of your posts and you commented about buying from a surplus Electronics supply store. Is that here in Maine and what do they sell?
Modern Jess
Well-known member
Okay, now I'm sad. I miss the Radio Shack of old.
Sorry to make you sad, but this place is really awesome. They sell on ebay, but note nearly as much as they have in the store.
http://stores.ebay.com/Electronic-Surplus-Services?_rdc=1
csp
Well-known member
You still haven't realized that the above is the root of the problem? Stop buying because it's a deal and the problem stops growing.
kb1luo
Well-known member
Thanks for the info Strouty!!
bczygan
Well-known member
The wife dragged me out. But I tricked her.
She was too tired to get out of the car, so I went and checked them out, and reported back that there was nothing of value.
And in fact, there wasn't anything of value. And anything that was, I already had a couple of.
So it ended up being a nice Sunday drive.
I really have no desire to go to resale shops anymore, and garage sales are the same, unless it's a specific one with a particular tool I'm looking for.
And in any case, I have better things to do. Just have to convince the wife of the same thing.
Bill
I have decided that the shop is neither important to me, nor does it make me money. I feel that it has held power over me for years and now that I am being honest, I think I may just be able to flip the tables on it.
I love to do things, but the way I have been thinking has me feeling obligated to do certain things. When these things don't get done, it makes me feel depressed and then a vicious cycle starts. I am going to pick one thing to do and try and do it. I am also going to continue to organize and catalog my stuff, but not for any particular purpose. I figure as I move along things will become clearer to me. I have to decide on some short term goals, as all the ones I have had were too convoluted or outdated.
I love to do things, but the way I have been thinking has me feeling obligated to do certain things. When these things don't get done, it makes me feel depressed and then a vicious cycle starts. I am going to pick one thing to do and try and do it. I am also going to continue to organize and catalog my stuff, but not for any particular purpose. I figure as I move along things will become clearer to me. I have to decide on some short term goals, as all the ones I have had were too convoluted or outdated.
I have figured out the the small office within the shop is how I make money and I am going to concentrate on making it the most productive that it can be.
I also want to setup my RC area so I can do something fun in the shop as well.
Everything else shop related is going to take a back seat to these two new priorities.
I also want to setup my RC area so I can do something fun in the shop as well.
Everything else shop related is going to take a back seat to these two new priorities.
ez-duzit
Well-known member
RC? Radio control?
Right now I just want to keep the overall shop functional so if I am so inclined, I can do a project in there.
The office is where I will concentrate all my efforts at this very moment. I am going to remove a bunch of things that really do not need to be in there. Then look over what is left and decide if it is truly important or can it be stored outside of the office. I really want to have my desk uncluttered, as well as an area to collate large files. I have been slacking on my filing system, but in my defense I have changed the cabinets twice in the last year or so.
The office is where I will concentrate all my efforts at this very moment. I am going to remove a bunch of things that really do not need to be in there. Then look over what is left and decide if it is truly important or can it be stored outside of the office. I really want to have my desk uncluttered, as well as an area to collate large files. I have been slacking on my filing system, but in my defense I have changed the cabinets twice in the last year or so.
bczygan
Well-known member
OK strouty,
Work this office as a project.
Make a list of tasks.
Take photos of conditions as they are now. Post them here.
Then get going on it.
I'm going back outside right now and attack the pile.
Bill
Work this office as a project.
Make a list of tasks.
Take photos of conditions as they are now. Post them here.
Then get going on it.
I'm going back outside right now and attack the pile.
Bill
I have gadgets and gizmos all over the place, most of them do not get used enough to justify the space they take up. I have also recently upgraded some equipment, but I have not decided what to do with the older equipment. At this point, it looks like I will bring it to my Father's office, I do some work with him out of that office as well. Most of my important files are currently spread out between the two offices and I would like to start going digital, because it will mean that I have to drag less paperwork around all the time.
Why is it so hard to get rid of things. I mean it is only stuff. Here is an example, I have two LCD computer monitors, I have not used either of them in two or more years, one has lost a couple of inputs. I have tried to get rid of them before and it was the same thing, they got moved around, but never left. I am putting them in my car so that I can't see them. Part of me wants to take them to the dumpster and smash them. That somehow would make me feel better. Why?
ahab
Well-known member
Would it help if you recycled them?
It is going to be productively used if recycled, not if it is trashed or stored in your shop. It is easier on my mind to recycle than to throw stuff away, maybe for you too.
It is going to be productively used if recycled, not if it is trashed or stored in your shop. It is easier on my mind to recycle than to throw stuff away, maybe for you too.
bczygan
Well-known member
Strouty,
The condition of your office and supplies is what I call already cleaned up.
My office has piles of things on the floor and every available surface. It even has a microwave on a bucket.
I understand the strong pull to keep old CRT monitors, even when you have 24" HD flat screens and laptops.
I finally pulled almost all of my desktops and all of my CRT's, including a couple of SUN Sparkstations, and put them outside under a tarp. Don't know if they made it through the winter, and don't care.
I'm going to go to my thread and update it.
Sounds like you are making good progress.
Bill
The condition of your office and supplies is what I call already cleaned up.
My office has piles of things on the floor and every available surface. It even has a microwave on a bucket.
I understand the strong pull to keep old CRT monitors, even when you have 24" HD flat screens and laptops.
I finally pulled almost all of my desktops and all of my CRT's, including a couple of SUN Sparkstations, and put them outside under a tarp. Don't know if they made it through the winter, and don't care.
I'm going to go to my thread and update it.
Sounds like you are making good progress.
Bill
I wish they were CRTs, it would have been easier, but the deed is done. I feel a little unstuck, like those monitors were clogging me mentally.
I was trying to get a handle on what was in the file drawers when I realized that my hanging organizer was making things feel awkward because it was in the way of the drawer. I looked it over and just decided to cut it off. Now it is still useful, but does not interfere with the drawers one bit. I guess I have to sharpen them now!
Another thing that I had been putting off for a while was fixing a few of my knives. Spyderco had sent out some new screws and locktite so I busted out the screwdriver and got to it. Now all three are as good as new and should be that way for a long time. One more thing out of the way and off the mental list.
I was trying to get a handle on what was in the file drawers when I realized that my hanging organizer was making things feel awkward because it was in the way of the drawer. I looked it over and just decided to cut it off. Now it is still useful, but does not interfere with the drawers one bit. I guess I have to sharpen them now!
Another thing that I had been putting off for a while was fixing a few of my knives. Spyderco had sent out some new screws and locktite so I busted out the screwdriver and got to it. Now all three are as good as new and should be that way for a long time. One more thing out of the way and off the mental list.
1/2 Cup
Member Emeritus
Its amazing what can be achieved in a short time when you put your mind to it and you have to be ruthless as much as it may go against the grain , invariably the results speak for themselves.
Well done.
Regards
Well done.
Regards
bczygan
Well-known member
One thing I have done with old computers, is give them to kids, or poor households in the neighborhood.
bczygan
Well-known member
Stop living in a dream Bill, they are gone, I had to destroy them before they destroyed me!
Strouty,
I see what you mean...
ez-duzit
Well-known member
My "office" is really a cluttered storeroom with piles of stuff on top of other piles. I don't need it at the moment, and have other priorities. But here's an anecdote that just happened to me.
Over the past few years, I've picked up a new matching Michelin tire for my truck, whenever I ran across 1 at a very good price, anticipating mine wearing out and needing replacement. But the mileage on these is incredible. And I'm not driving as much as I used to. So these 4 tires have been in my way for quite some time. Requiring moving them numerous times, just so I could do a simple job.
So a couple weeks ago I cleaned them, locked them in the back of my Tundra's work shell, and put an ad on c/l, fully intent on just having them mounted on my truck if they didn't sell. Not even one spam reply!
But this week I received a call from the big rig trucker who was trying to deliver a ~200 lb rotary table for my vertical mill. Because they have a 75 lb limit, they had refused delivery at the UPS store where I take deliveries. So I drove to meet him where he'd found enough parking for his rig, backed my Tundra up to his trailer, and slid the short pallet into my truck.
He immediately asks if wanted to sell the tires--he'd just bought a used pickup that needed tires--never had a truck before. And we wound up meeting with the ***-ends of our trucks almost kissing!
When you become committed to a plan of action, get in the right lane moving towards your goal. Somehow, the act of cleaning and moving the tires out the door ultimately propelled them on to the perfect guy who need them. And I can barely believe that the amount we arrived at for the price of the tires was precisely the amount of my accepted offer on the rotary table he was delivering to me! Serendipity?
Over the past few years, I've picked up a new matching Michelin tire for my truck, whenever I ran across 1 at a very good price, anticipating mine wearing out and needing replacement. But the mileage on these is incredible. And I'm not driving as much as I used to. So these 4 tires have been in my way for quite some time. Requiring moving them numerous times, just so I could do a simple job.
So a couple weeks ago I cleaned them, locked them in the back of my Tundra's work shell, and put an ad on c/l, fully intent on just having them mounted on my truck if they didn't sell. Not even one spam reply!
But this week I received a call from the big rig trucker who was trying to deliver a ~200 lb rotary table for my vertical mill. Because they have a 75 lb limit, they had refused delivery at the UPS store where I take deliveries. So I drove to meet him where he'd found enough parking for his rig, backed my Tundra up to his trailer, and slid the short pallet into my truck.
He immediately asks if wanted to sell the tires--he'd just bought a used pickup that needed tires--never had a truck before. And we wound up meeting with the ***-ends of our trucks almost kissing!
When you become committed to a plan of action, get in the right lane moving towards your goal. Somehow, the act of cleaning and moving the tires out the door ultimately propelled them on to the perfect guy who need them. And I can barely believe that the amount we arrived at for the price of the tires was precisely the amount of my accepted offer on the rotary table he was delivering to me! Serendipity?
EZ, that was great, I love it when that stuff happens.
I am going to be unloading more and more things, some should bring some decent money. I have invested a lot of effort and money into my shop, I don't want to feel like it owns me. I want to get back to having fun doing the things that I enjoy and for too long the shop has robbed me of that. I will say it is not the shop's fault, it is definitely my problem, that I created.
I am going to be unloading more and more things, some should bring some decent money. I have invested a lot of effort and money into my shop, I don't want to feel like it owns me. I want to get back to having fun doing the things that I enjoy and for too long the shop has robbed me of that. I will say it is not the shop's fault, it is definitely my problem, that I created.
I just got back from helping clean out my parents' home, mother is moving into an apartment in a senior facility. What a powerful motivator to go thru and get rid of my own stuff! It goes against my nature to toss some things, like replacement lamp switches, door hardware, but after 50+ yrs in the house, the amount of "potentially useful" stuff in her place was overwhelming. The real lesson is, buy only what you need, when you need it, and toss the old/broken/extra stuff right away.
The second lesson is, anything that gets put into a box or cabinet, will be forgotten shortly. I found 5 bottles of Weed-B-Gone, all "put away" for the winter, in separate boxes. None was more than 10% used. 35 extension cords, scattered around, in drawers, in boxes with Christmas lights, in the garage, etc. Stuff for old hobbies, long abandoned, and useless for anything else, was all over, taking up valuable storage space.
And just a heads-up, parents will try to give you all the stuff you gave them over the years, and will be hurt if you don't take it....
The second lesson is, anything that gets put into a box or cabinet, will be forgotten shortly. I found 5 bottles of Weed-B-Gone, all "put away" for the winter, in separate boxes. None was more than 10% used. 35 extension cords, scattered around, in drawers, in boxes with Christmas lights, in the garage, etc. Stuff for old hobbies, long abandoned, and useless for anything else, was all over, taking up valuable storage space.
And just a heads-up, parents will try to give you all the stuff you gave them over the years, and will be hurt if you don't take it....
We are dealing with my GF's Mother right now. She is downsizing since her husband passed away. She wants the house on the market this summer, but there is so much stuff that she won't have any place to put it.
She is always trying to give us stuff, it goes to the local charity.
She is always trying to give us stuff, it goes to the local charity.
One thing that I need to do for myself is spend more time with my GF at home. I am planning on leaving the shop at 5:00 no matter where I am on how productive I am being. I want to start a schedule and stick with it. Tomorrow I plan on being here early and leaving at a reasonable time as well. Monday I do not even plan on giving the shop the satisfaction of my presence.
ez-duzit
Well-known member
I love the the time I spend in my shop.