Burnout

[maria arnelöf]

Hi, Jim.
As youve already noticed, I have just started this carrear as a pianotuner
and "pianofixer" and I have wondered about what the heck Im doing....tuning
and tuning and then some and THIS is just the beginning! I have those days
when I just ask myself if this was a good choice for me as I see my fellow
colegues thats been in this business for aaaaages say "Oh, MAN! DO I hate
this....*siiiiiigh*...this surely sucks! How come youre wanting to do THIS,
Maria! Youre nuts (*grin*)! We have talks about what is important for "us"
tuners to stay sain and normal (well, as normal as we were when we first
started) and the things you wrote to Brian was very much the same as we
agreed on. It IS important nurture ones privatelife and also remember that
there are SO much to learn about this workmanship other than just sitting
down and doing the job while thinking of how much one will get in the end
and if its over soon :P.....until the next shitty little piano at the next
stop with that old lady that you start to think bad things about :) The
"general" tuning of a piano is rather monotoenous in itself to make it even
worse, right?!
Wow, this was kind or a repetition for just agreeing on what you just
wrote. Oh, well...there you have it....I agree...only, to do jobs for free
is perhaps going abit too far with me as you sugested ;) But, hey...Im only
speaking for myself here, perhaps that works for you.
Sincerely,
Maria

>Brian wrote:
>
><<"As for cranking out tunings...  I know it's the piano technician's "bread
>and butter".  But I've been thinking if that's what this business is all
>about, I think it's time to find a new profession.  I grow to hate it more
>each and every tuning.   <now where did that come from? that wasn't what we
>were talking about!>
>Brian Trout">>
>
>Geez..... does this sound familiar! :-)
>
> Well for one thing Brian heaping tuning after tuning after tuning upon
>oneself does create a sense of sameness both to the actions performed and the
>words said. Saying the act of tuning , once the bearing is set, is a kinda
>boring, repetitive activity is kinda like saying cold oatmeal is
>tasteless..don't need much 'splaining.:-)
>
> Telling customer after customer the same, or nearly the same, words can be
>mindnumbing especially when you know they are not really listening. I would
>imagine that Doctors, lawyers, etc. get the same feeling of
>frustration/futility when they see patient after patient, client after client
>ignore their very good advice.
>
> So the answer might be 'don't "crank out" tunings'. Try to expand your
>repair business, schedule non-tuning days, for shop work...fishing...talking
>politics on pianotech:), volunteer work...anything but tuning.
>
> Take more time with each tuning and turn each appt. into an adventure rather
>than a money grubbing thingee. Experimenting with HTs, as Richard suggested,
>is very good and will give you new vistas to explore as well as increase
>depth of knowledge/understanding of what is going on when tuning.
>
> Find a person or place that needs help desperately, vis a vis their piano,
>and do the work pro-bono...immensely satisfying and will feed your soul as
>well as your ego. (don't overdo this)
>
>  A factor that can't be ignored is your personal life and what is happening
>there.  Sometimes we find ourself just floating along with no real goals,
>objectives or reasons for doing what we are doing and this alone is enough to
>make 'any' activity meaningless or nearly so.  If this might be a factor then
>set some goals or objectives. Make them realistic and achievable, ratchet
>them up as the attainment gets closer. In this way you won't be 'tuning for
>bucks' rather you will be striving to reach a goal and this can make all the
>difference in your perception of your daily work.
>Just some thoughts.
>Jim Bryant (FL)
>


  "In space no one can hear you scream"
          In 1979 it came from within.
          In 1986 it was gone forever.
In 1992 our worst fears have come true.
                      Its back!