posted
Not you Dan but me, How many here experience the Bi Polar feeling or Roller Coaster Feeling of being in Business for yourselves. I'm as busy as anybody here usually but sometimes I feel like I'm Bi Polar or something.. One minute I'm on top of the world, other times I could just chuck it all and go work at Wally World and do Signs on the side.. Really. I guess I have the Christmas Blues... this has been one tough season with My Father in law being Gravely ill.. But back to the Bi Polar issue..How do you effectivly deal with it?
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
| IP: Logged |
-------------------- Catharine C. Kennedy CCK Graphics 1511 Route 28 Chatham Center, NY 12184 cck1620@taconic.net "Look at me, Look at me, Look at me now! I't's fun to have fun, But you have to know how!" Posts: 2173 | From: downtown Chatham Center, NY | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
-------------------- Jack Wills Studio Design Works 1465 E.Hidalgo Circle Nye Beach / Newport, OR Posts: 2914 | From: Rocklin, CA. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Here I've been blaming mood swings on pms... guess you can't use that one Neil.
I think a good dose of what you're going through is weather related for those of us in non tropical locations. I know I feel completely different when it's sunny out. I just seem to have more energy and positive vibes running through me.
Jan and Feb are about the toughest out here. Non stop rain, cloudy conditions, cold, we aren't getting that vitamin D we require so badly by staying indoors all day. Someone told me it's imperative to do my walks in the sunshine. When I walk, the sun is still tucked away behind a nearby mountain.
When I feel down, I attempt to simply get out around more people. Getting into a little friendly banter does some major spirit lifting.
I also generally dive into a project I am compassionate about. It may not be work related at all, just something I love to do. For me that's hacking away at something on the house for eventual improvement. My surroundings effect me greatly and when things are cluttered and just plain ugly to look at, it brings me down.
And what Jack said. You may just need a short break from what you're doing. Do something completely different to divert your attention elsewhere. The break alone can help land you in a better place when you return to your work. They are called weekends and evenings off and holidays for those of you that don't know...
I may not have your answers Neil, but the above is what works for me. I share your pain.
[ January 03, 2008, 01:18 PM: Message edited by: Donna in BC ]
posted
Gees Neil. I call that normal although it is frustrating at times.
-------------------- Bill Modzel Mod-Zel screen Printing Traverse city, MI modzel@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1356 | From: Traverse City, MI | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
We all go through ups and downs... me included. Especially me.
I know too well what it feels like to be down... to be so angry that I just shake all over, and to feel I just can't ever get ahead, its just not worth the effort.
In years gone by I used to sometimes get so angry I'd turn beet red, and yell a lot... very loudly - not often, but too much none-the-less.
I learned through experience that the negative feelings aren't very productive. Being angry and letting those feeling control you has made me do things I regret... even years later.
I've learned that to give in to depression means you are unproductive... that causes more depression... its a vicious cycle.
I've learned that I can make a choice on how I feel. A concious choice. If something is getting me down its time to switch tasks for a little while... go for a walk, get the mail, mow the lawn... change your scenery.
I've learned that its more fun to see the positive side of people, rather than focus on the negative.
By truly caring and being cheerful to those around me, employees, family, friends, even the deli ladies down the street - they in turn return the favor... and they take an interest in my life... cheering me up when I need it.
When I'm down its time to look around me... notice nature's beauty, get a hug from someone I love, appreciate and take notice of the things that are good, oput on some music that will lift my spirits... there's plenty of ways that help.
If I stop and consider all the potential problems and challenges and even all the things I need to do (in a single day) it can be a recipe for being instantly overwelmed. Instead its time to focus on one small job, do it well, celebrate the success and then move on to the next bite sized challenge.
Doing these things I've learned quickly restores balance... and my good mood in a genuine way.
Dealing with vexing issues with a cheerful spirit makes problems easier to deal with. Solving conflicts without anger is much easier and most often results in a much better solution.
People love to deal with those who are positive... its good for business!
Life is much to short to not enjoy as much of it as we possible can.
Purposely living on the positive side Yarrow...
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Me, I just plain worry. All the dang time. Thats the thing about being in business for yourself, if business doesnt come in, you dont make any money. My friends always tell me I have it made working for myself. IN some ways, I guess I do, but they have a STEADY paycheck, healthcare and other perks I dont have. Those days when the workorder board is vacant, thats when my worrisome mind starts thinking, what would I do if no jobs come in this month? I dont know if its bi-polar or not Niel, but whatever it is, Ive got it, lol. Time and technology have changed this business so much, that sometimes you wonder if us old signcrafters are even needed anymore. I hope so. Only thing else other than cartooning that I can do is my old side job of being a redneck gigolo.
-------------------- Maker of fine signs and other creative stuff. Located at 109 N. Cumberland ave. Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-837-0242 Posts: 4172 | From: Ages-Brookside, Ky. Up the Holler... | Registered: Jul 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Yes I certainly did... I guess it's the record snowfall that we have here in St. John's, We have had the most storms since Dec 1st untill Jan3rd on Record, I tell you Ithe snow is half way up the poles.. I don't know what we are going to do with it.
The last several years we did not have snow untill the middle of January.
I'm upbeat most of the time, I just have to push through it, that's all. The phone is ringing, so that's good. I re-joined the gym a month before Christmas, so I'm getting good Cardio and weight training 3 times a week, I even went during Christmas week, and Like Donna says it's good for the head as well as the body.
Dan I have so much respect for you, and what you said, it felt like you got inside my head, as I too used to feel the way you used to.. still do at times but I no Longer yell and turn beet red, thank goodness for that. Coffee was a big contributor to that I learned and I gave it up a couple of years ago, much to the appreciation to the employees.lol... I often Joke that I'm going for a Double Double, and they say that they are getting out of here if I do.
Thanks
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
| IP: Logged |
When I get frustrated with business I try to find new ways to use skills I already have. I might add a new service to the business or I might try a completely different venture.
Right now my business is frustratingly slow, just getting strung along little by little. Remind me the next time I'm busy as a one-armed wallpaper hanger to not curse it. So, along with efforts to boost business, I also have a few other irons in the fire with electric vehicle development, a candymaking venture that I think will really take off, and my training certification. It helps keep my mind in a positive place especially since I'd do these things with or without a financial payoff. Fortunately for me, I have other people interested in those new ventures and they're the ones financing them while I'm just the brains.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
Neil, I'm not sure how old you are, etc. Male menopause is a "wonderful" insight into what women feel on a regular basis. Check out this link... male menopause
posted
Male Menopause... It's called menopause because Men Pause when women go through it. lol Yes I'LL BE 49 Next Tues, the 9th...49 one more year....
Donna I hate to say this but I loved my Coffee, no one loved it more.. but it was killing me, anxiousness, nervousness, anxiety, and even Panic attacks can come from too much coffee, it's just no bloody good for you...I drink a couple of cups of tea now. My son was telling last night that Reg cup of Tim's has about 100 times more caffiene in it than a Red Bull..I don't know how true that is, but if I take just 2 sips off Tim's I can feel my Body change.
Sorry... cause I know you love Coffee... but it affects different people in Different ways.
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Mike - what's your training certification about?
Neil, years ago...I used to have a heavy bag hanging from the basement rafters....it's amazing how much better you feel after going mono-e-mono with that inanimate object. The exercise, the feeling of a well placed jump-kick, the raw knuckles....it's exhilerating - almost as fun as keeping peace in the local movie theater.
Oh...just stay away from drywall...it's messy and really takes a long time to fix.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Go get yourself some ST. John's Wort. (nothing to do with where you live). I hate to admit but I have been dealing with some mild depression. Its probably because I am here at the shop/store all the time by myself and never get outside.
I took 2 capsules and by the end of the night I thought that I could feel a difference. 2 more the next day and I knew I felt better. Within 3 or 4 days I wasn't getting down at all.
It wonderful stuff for depression.
ps. If you are drinking anything with Aspartame, lookout. It can cause memory loss, mood swings, headaches, etc. I even saw a lady on 700 Club that had gone blind and when she eliminated it in her diet, her sight came back.
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
My brother has extremely high IQ and IS bi-polar.Be thankful that we're just moody.His Dr. recently switched him off lithium to another wonder drug and he went totally manic.He had an unfortunate series of events caused by his manic state and now is jobless. The last mismedicated bout was 5 years ago and he flipped a brand new truck and almost burned to death. Physical maladies seem easier to understand than bipolar.
-------------------- Darcy Baker Darcy's Signs Eureka Springs. AR. Posts: 1169 | From: Eureka Springs, AR | Registered: Nov 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Todd, I'll be getting certified to train folks in fitness and develop custom programs for them. I've been helping a few people already on a casual basis but in order to train anyone in a gym you need certification to get covered under insurance.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
Where did I read that being self-employed is wonderful- you get to choose exactly which 15 hours you're going to work each day!
There's also a fine line between jubilation & misery, depending on workload & quote accuracy & joblist.
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
Neil, how much coffee did you use to drink? When I had a storefront, I drank it all day. I now have about 3 cups in the AM and that's pretty much it, the odd time another in the PM if in a restaurant. I switch to decaf after my morning hit.
edited to say:
My brother, turned vegetarian due to high cholesterol issues, stopped drinking his bodum and tea all together. He'll only drink caffine free. (not the same as decafinated) He had a decaf tea not long ago and after a few sips, he said the rush felt like fluid oozing upwards, wrapping his head and like a vice tightening his temples. He waited, thinking it was a fluke, had 2 more sips, same thing and dumped the works. This is a guy that use to drink bodum which is the most brutal intense strong coffee possible.
[ January 03, 2008, 09:08 PM: Message edited by: Donna in BC ]
posted
Frig Donna, that's how I felt with just the few sips, and I really mean Sips... At one time I used to drink waaaayyyy to much...years ago my Landlord was the Local coffee supplier, they supplied the machines and coffee to most of the business here, that would tell you how much I drank...10 small cups a day would not be out of the norm.
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
| IP: Logged |
However, it all gets put back into perspective when you have a sick child. I don't mean having the cold or flu, but one with a "disorder" that no one can heal.
My son has febrile seizures. It looks like a full-on seizure associated with epilepsy, but has none of the debilitating side effects, unless it continues over 3 minutes. A febrile seizure is the body's way of shutting down the system before a temperature does damage to the brain. He only gets them while he sleeps, and at the beginning of a simple illness like a cold or flu. We never know when he will get one, and to experience one is sheer terror.
He has an unusually low body temp, so when he reaches what would be "normal" 98.5 or above 99.0, he begins to have body tremors. He has to be awakened NOW otherwise call 911 and get him to the ER for treatment cuz the seizure is coming. We strip him down, put cold cloths on his head to draw out the heat and keep him communicating. At this time he either urinates on us because he can't consciously help it and vomits, turns pale and wants to sleep. He complains that he is cold, although his skin is burning up. After we get through all of this, then it is 3 days and nights of checking him every half hour and a Motrin and Tylenol regimen for a temp spike which can turn him back into seizure mode.
Today, we are on day 3. He hadn't been sick for almost 8 months and got a cold over the New Year. We are slated to get on a plane to Phoenix Sunday nite, so thankfully, we'll be over it. Would hate to have it happen on the plane. We have an anal scrip for seizures over 3 minutes that shuts his system down. Then IMMEDIATELY to the ER for treatment for the med...hard to do on the plane.
So, yes, I was worrying about business for the new year, don't we all, and what to pack for the flight, and my precious boy gets ill. EVERYTHING STOPPED DEAD IN ITS TRACKS.
There is nothing more important in my life than my son and the business had to wait.
So today, I am scurrying about, paying mortgages, and invoices, trying to get an ADA package ready before I leave, banners and signs from the last 3 days of production done, and I am still not sweating it. My clients know my situation and are very sympathetic if I need to extend a deadline.
And yes, today is only the second day of sunshine in the past 2 weeks here too, which I completely agree with.
Bring on the sun in Phoenix!
Spring is only 76 days away!
-------------------- Nikki Goral Image Advantage Signs 4050 Champeau Road New Franken, WI 54229 920-465-4500 "Finish every day and be done with it. Tomorrow is a new day."-Ralph Waldo Emerson Posts: 928 | From: New Franken, WI (East Green Bay) | Registered: Jun 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
Donna said men don't go threw PMS, well, don't believe it. Because they do. Men really do have monthly mood swings and if your aware of that it's easier to hang on until it ends.
My two sons go threw it when my wife has PMS. My older son used to get so bad he would try to fist fight me, and we finally figured it out. When we talked to him and explained he learned to deal with it.
My younger son has these crying jags, he wants to imagine that everyone is picking on him, but he is just trying to put a reason to the feelings.
Tell yourself when the feelings come ,This too shall pass, and do what you can to make your self comfortable while your hormones readjust. That's what I do.
quote:Originally posted by Ian Stewart-Koster: Where did I read that being self-employed is wonderful- you get to choose exactly which 15 hours you're going to work each day!
My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Niki, Having only just one Son, I can relate only a little to whay you are going through, it must be terrifying, I remember when he was only a child, I used to get terrified when he'd get sick, just normal stuff really.But what you are experiencing is something else.
Good Luck!
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks, Neil. My hubby got sick on Saturday morning...had to take him into the urgent care. So here we are supposed to get on the plane, Sunday. Sunday comes, fog through the midwest;fortunately we can check if our flight is on time via internet. One delay, two delays, three delays and we would take off at 2:30 AM! Finally a cancellation. Most of the midwest is shut down...Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, Cincinnati... We are now scheduled to leave a week later than planned. I feel that there are reasons for things happening (my hub says I am crazy). Maybe we just needed (2) weeks to rest! Today it is a full on thunderstorm...melting all the snow, confusing the grass, again. The boy is much better, coughing alot, but that is a good sign. Hub is on antibiotics and resting. Back to work this week and we;ll try again next week! When it rains, it pours...this week that means many things to me!
-------------------- Nikki Goral Image Advantage Signs 4050 Champeau Road New Franken, WI 54229 920-465-4500 "Finish every day and be done with it. Tomorrow is a new day."-Ralph Waldo Emerson Posts: 928 | From: New Franken, WI (East Green Bay) | Registered: Jun 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
In addition to getting to choose the 15 hours you're going to work today, self employment offers a financial gamut ranging from feast and famine to snack and starve.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5084 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6714 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Well, I don't let a little mental illness spoil my appetite.
I am bipolar ( they used to call it manic depressive but manic sounds like maniac).
Whenever the "need" to let it all go hits I give it a time limit and then I'll look for a job. I think "one more month and I'm gonna throw papers" Then things clear up...for now. Did get a job back in '04 for six months and worked weekends. But in 14 yrs thats the only time I drew a paycheck.
Sometimes self employed feels like self un-employed.
Try a part time job at wally world. what the hell, you can always quit!
-------------------- Bart Robinson Bart Robinson Pinstriping Corpus Christi Texas Posts: 78 | From: Corpus Christi Texas | Registered: Jul 2006
| IP: Logged |
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic