how we look at projects

[supermanotorious]

I wanted to share a thought I've been developing for awhile.

I'm 35 years old, maybe at mid life, maybe near the end of it, who knows. I've seen and done much, more than my fair share I reckon.

Regarding projects, there's been those where I decided to do EVERYTHING "right". Strip it down completely, repaint, re-grease, rebuild. And I've seen countless friends, acquaintances, and other DIYGK members do the same.

For me and those in my circle- those projects NEVER seem to get done. They get forgotten about and fall to the way side or sold on the local CL.

Well the years keep passing, my beautiful babies are turning in to young women and sometime soon, they may not care about these projects I do for them.

What I have found: screw the "proper" rebuild. What does it take to get it functional, clean, and comfortable? The smiles produced from a working toy or machine are more important to me than knowing every tiny detail was attended to.

Just sayin

 

[2SlickNick]

I agree!

 

[Kartorbust]

I'm in a similar spot, far as incomplete projects go. Started one 7 years ago and it's just collecting rust. Have had every intention to complete it just a lack of money. Had ample time to do it, even a few hours a day could have completed it years ago. Though I'm 10-11 years younger and no kids yet, but I'm hoping mine will be mechanically inclined and be able to do something, rather than having to beg someone else or pay.

 

[Flyinhillbilly]

I agree. I used to be convinced that everything had to be exactly right or not done at all. Most of the time that meant not done at all. I kind of got back to my roots when I built my turbo truck and didn't really care how it looked just as long as it worked right. It has been an absolute blast although I believe I'm going to sell it in the near future because I keep killing rear ends in it and have gotten tired of working on it.
Don't get me wrong, I make sure my welds are nice and everything is fitted like it should be, but if I screw up and make an ugly weld I won't tear it all apart to fix it now as long as it's structurally sound. I don't have to please anyone but myself with the things I build, and life isn't about who's the best at what, it's about who's the happiest with themselves in my opinion.

 

[pRoFiT]

If you want it done perfect it will never get done. Unless you are one of THOSE people. I hate them.

I'm really surprised i finished my kart last year. There are a couple things i would like to go back and fix. but it works and i can have fun now! even though the steering bar is a little bendy...if i hang onto the side while i slide sideways i can make it work. and my pedals are a litttttle longer then needed. and i havn't put the cover on my TC....etc etc. no paint on the bottom.....haha.

i feel like my krazy kart XXL design is going to be one of these never finish projects because of complexity and my unwilingness to do hard work

ill finish it tomorrow.

 

[OzFab]

This is where the saying "old & wise" comes in, along with "to be 'old & wise' you first must be young & stupid"...

Our lives are a collection of experiences &, based on the results of these experiences, we learn & "adjust" our way of thinking; so, after a series of experiences where our projects are never finished because the tiny, unnecessary details were not attended to, we "adjust" our thinking to not paying so much attention to these tiny, unnecessary details & some of our projects now have a chance of actually being completed...

I, too, have "evolved" the same way; once upon a time, everything I did had to be perfect or it wasn't done, therefore, nothing was ever finished; I now know better; I still over engineer everything because my rule of thumb is "better to have too much than not enough" but, as a direct result of my past experiences, I'm now not as much of a perfectionist & thing actually get done...

 

[kenworth85]

Well when reality hits you in the face it will make realize or ask yourself, did it have to be that perfect? I just got out of the hospital after eleven days of touch and go and came to know myself a lot better. The time I've spent on this forum has been very enjoyable and informative. I have three projects going for some kids but looks like now they might not get finished. This has become a passion of mine to see the smiles of kids having fun. My grandson and I sat and talked about things and to be ten years old it is a harsh reality of life. He does understand. He also has this passion with karts and smiles also. I hope the guys and gals will be patient and as helpful as you have been with especially patients. When the time is right he will be logging in under my user and password if that is OK. Again thanks for the help and I'll be here as long as I can. Thank you if I'm in the wrong section for this let me know where it needs to be.

 

[OzFab]

Well, the first part was relevant, then it morphed into a hijack soooo, maybe best to start a new thread in off topic; I'm sure many will want to discuss your situation...

I'm sorry to hear of your ill health, I hope everything is/will be ok...

 

[Poboy kartman]

Well, I have always been a perfectionist AND a procrastinator. Despite that, I used to finish nearly every project.

And I had a LOT of them. Now, not so much.

Well....what's the point? You youngsters...UTILIZE that youth! That energy will fade. The OTHER side is, being a perfectionist and pushing to get stuff done taught me much more and made me better than I would be settling for half arse!

 

[kenworth85]

Didnt mean to hijack thanks

 

[OzFab]

Didnt mean to hijack thanks

All good

Well, I have always been a perfectionist AND a procrastinator.

I hear ya, buddy

When I was learning panel beating, one of the tradesman (an old school tradesman) told me

"if you can get it 90% correct, the other 10% will take care of itself. As soon as you start chasing the remaining 10% you risk reducing the 90% you already have..."​