Time Management- Tuning by AG Classic Car Tuning
A polite request to understand how I need to use my time.
Being a classic car tuner seems to carry with it, certain expectations from classic car owners. It's my job to 'nip' some of these expectations in the bud, before they get a little out of control and before people get upset at a response they weren't expecting.
So what do I mean by this?
I tune classic cars to earn a living. (Involving hands on a car, not a keyboard)
Please remember I'm just a guy, doing a job he loves in order to earn a living. I earn that living during the time I am being paid. The two key charge rates for being paid are for (a) when I'm travelling and for when (b) I am hands on tuning a your car.
- I don't get paid whilst answering emails...
- I don't get paid to offer telephone advice...
- I don't get paid for calling you back, to then answer questions which you may have...(relevant questions or not)
- I don't get paid to explain the misconceptions you've read on social media....or what 'you're mate says'.
- I don't get paid to tell you which carb or distributor is better than the other
etc etc etc...
Please don't be mistaken, I do invest a 'little' of my time in the above, but there is a limit......after which sometimes, I do have to say.....NO, SORRY I JUST DON'T HAVE THE TIME!
Being 'The Tuner' doesn't carry an obligation to give free advice
(It's offered voluntarily......but only when time allows. Again sometime I have so say......Sorry, I just don;t have the time.)
Sadly some people seem to be of the belief that I am the above free resource to the world, and of course them too. In which case, they'll write.
6 emails to me...
5 emails, 2 texts and whatsapp
3 emails, 3 texts, a whatsapp and a call at 7pm (Because they work shifts)
4 whatsapps messages, 3 pictures & a video....and on we go.
Before you know it we're soon up to message 7 or 8, numerous videos pictures and receipts. At my side please remember it equates to 1 or 2 hrs of my time reading, writing, explaining......etc etc
Using time efficiently and effectively
Sadly being self employed, and hence needing to use my time efficiently/productively, I need to constantly assess and prioritise where and when my time is used. With the very simple equation of 'PAID TIME = INCOME' There should be no surprise to anyone that I wish to use my time as much as possible for 'paid time'.
With 1 hr of free time available how do I use it?
A)......do I spend my time replying to enquirer 'A' who clearly wants to get booked in ASAP?
Or do I spend it with
B)....... enquirer 'B' who appears to think I'm an inanimate social media resource, there to answer every perceivable question they have, and now head towards message number 8 and still no sign of them actually booking in to be come 'PAID TIME' ?
(Sorry, I just don't have the time)
The reasoning is quite simple because as already mentioned PAID TIME = INCOME and I could perhaps get 4 or 5 enquirer 'A' type booked in......whilst using the same 1 hr which enquirer 'B' seems to think I should be spending writing back and forth to them offering technical advice and information.
(Sometimes I have to say to enquirer 'B'....'sorry I just don't have the time')
The Moral of the Story
The moral of this story is very simple, do not be Enquirer 'B'......because it may be that I have to say those immortal words..........'sorry I just don;t have the time'.
Harsh you may think.......but imagine If enquirer 'B' s messages were multiplied by 300 similar people per year, I would not have enough 'paid time' remaining to make a living from this profession.
Hence sadly, no matter how inquisitive you are or how much you feel you need to know x,y & z........I have to choose enquirer 'A' over enquirer 'B'. To remain a viable business I have no other choice...
Limit of time available & normal request of professionals
There is a physical limit to the time I have available. There is no other trade or profession out there where it would be deemed reasonable for the professional to be expected to send you messages back and forth to answer each question which springs to mind.
......You wouldn't expect it of...
A) A Chef at a restaurant, ( 8 messages, to discuss ingredients and cooking techniques & temperature)....sounds like an odd expectation when simply booking a table?
B) A plumber, (6 messages, 2 texts and a video to discuss push-fit versus soldered joints)....do you think the plumber would entertain it?
C) A retailer, (4 texts, 3 pics, a video & a whatsapp video to discuss sizing, cotton content)...you just wouldn't do it?
Hence please don't consider it to be normal expectation from a classic car tuner......I'm a very busy guy without trying to justify this expectation as normal.
For those who persist and just don't seem to understand this...........'Sorry I just don't have the time'
THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING