Safety blanket

[Battleaxe]

This is a bit deep... Be warned!

For the past 5 years I've worked as a gardener I worked for a small company I.E me my boss and a labourer in the summer. We did mainly small garden maintenance odd jobs etc no major landscaping. (I love my job), last Christmas when we finished work in December my boss (Gary) decided to call it a day and move to Spain... You get the idea. Leaving me to set up on my own which I had always intended to do and it's always been a natural progression in my trade anyway.

The issue I'm having is worry and anxiety over the quality of my work I'm constantly judging myself and getting worked up over things I have no control over (worst case scenarios) and when I meet customers I doubt my estimates and find it hard to give accurate pricing I always feel I'm cheap or too expensive...

It's never bothered me before But I've never dealt with this side of a business in the past I've just turned up worked all day and gone home, I have quoted for jobs but I've had Gary with me to hold my hand. And ive always had some guidance when I'm working.

Feels odd asking a wider audience but how if you are or have been in my position do you overcome some of the worry, I know I'm only human and it will stay with me but there must be a way of looking past it?.

I really feel like I've lost my security blanket.

Cheers

 

[Mark1964]

I too am a gardener or estate maintenance operative. You need to research what the rivals would quote. What I normally do is ask the customer if they have had any quotes. If they say no then you have to work out your labour charge ie the time you spend there. Then the cost of any materials your using. Add the 2 together after you have rang around to get prices for the materials. Go back to the customer with a clear written quotation showing only the prices for materials. Then work out your hourly rate or quote what the full job will be (labour only) You need to enrol on a small business course and how to get your confidence when quoting. Your in charge and if you don't have the confidence needed the customer will pick up on this.

 

[Battleaxe]

I'm sure your following me mark

that's my issue I've been able to hide behind Gary i was just a skilled labourer most of the time, I think it's my self confidence now I need to learn how to sell myself.

Hard part is not doubting my abilities. And the other part is half my clients have found me after having issues with the £5 cut and run guys they think I'm going to charge the same...

I've been on a job today and I got so worried about making a balls of it i nearly came home...

 

[Mark1964]

a college course will help im currently doing a level 3 diploma in horticulture parks pathways gardens and open spaces. If you search myerscough college you will be able to get a level 2 for around 350 quid and you can pay monthly. It will build your confidence especially when you tell customers all their plant and shrub names in latin lol

 

[Battleaxe]

Sounds good! I've been to askham bryan in york for a few courses ive done my cs30/31 chainsaw and knapsack courses. Never had any formal horticulture training ive just picked it up as I went along a lot of my skills are process based for garden maintainance so we were always high quality and low time when I first started we were mowing 50+ gardens a day for the council... The credit crunch stopped that tho.

 

[GHW]

Hey fella I wouldnt let it get you down. Most people whether they admit it or not have a few self doubts when they progress in their career, whatever it is. My boss is the md of company and he tells me he feels like a fraud 90% of the time. Similar for me, I've just had a promotion and for a while I know I'll be figuring out my new role and being worried about whether I'm doing everything I ought to be. Doubts are natural but don't let them get the better of you, you sound like youve got loads of experience generally and that's what will get you through.

Re the £5 cut and run guys, sure people will always go to them, you probably won't ever win those customer round. Find the customers who value and respect your knowledge and skills; they'll pay for them. I work in advertising and believe it or not the same kind of attitudes exist.

Hope it works out well for you. And mean while, keep brewing!

 

[Battleaxe]

I'm yet to meet someone who hasnt faked it to make it!

In my case my faking resolve has deserted me.

 

[Joeyriles]

I'm in education and I've actually had counselling to help me with severe anxiety issues following my first teaching post in a school where the senior management (a laughable term, now I think on it) very much made my life hell.
Now that I'm in a better school I still have my bad days and I definitely have the imposter syndrome; we're all human, after all.
The fact that you have a conscience about the ethics of what to charge your customers gives me the idea that you're a top bloke, Battleaxe.

 

[BruinTuns]

Good thread, honest discussion and helpful replies.
Battleaxe, I know exactly where you're at. Even though I know zilch about gardening I had similar issues when I first went self employed as a plasterer (I gradually got experienced in other building skills over the years).
Most of my early self doubt was a mix of simple lack of self belief and inexperience at pricing. And a worry that maybe I wasn't as good as others in my trade. And that I might not get enough work to live on. And basic issues with self confidence... Etc.
I don't have an instant recipe for you, but one day I confided in a brickie. His attitude was so easy and laid back that I felt a bit silly for worrying. He said: "When you go to look at a job, just reckon up how many days it will take you and how much you want per day plus materials."
A bit simplistic I know, but from then on it became easier. It's essential to know what the going rate is for one's trade. Not always as easy as it sounds because people's prices vary so greatly, but with experience you get a pretty good idea of what's too cheap and what's too dear.
Word of mouth recommendations are always the most reliable way to getting more work and are a great confidence booster. I'm sure you're good at your job so this will happen for you.
Good luck mate.