Page 75 - Issue 37

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As you get older, as I get older, no fact has ever project needs a little rethinking. There is nothing
become clearer: you will not have enough time to wrong with adjusting your vision of the fi nal
get done what you want to. The reality is our time product before starting again.
on this earth will come to an end, and someone The friend willing to give their time to you is
will be either fi nishing your current project, worth paying back in kind; this hands-on effort
mothballing it for a possible revisit in the future, needs to be held in high value. Many will offer to
or, heaven forbid, boxing it up to haul it away on help when in fact only a few will show up on time
the per-ton basis. You only have the present to that day you need them. If you are doing it right,
do what you want to do. What you give your rat you should fi nd yourself in need of time from your
rodding hobby time to is completely up to you. friends about as much as you are giving your time
Spend it wisely. to friends. This is two sides of the same rusty
Perhaps the biggest consideration here might coin; you can be helped and the helper. Special
be how to get the most out of your time. How circumstances will come up, though.
to use the time you have left can be a challenge. I’ve seen more than one car club complete
Your family should get the most, and your career a team build. This usually is at one of the club
should get the time it takes to pay for your member’s garage and will often be in the winter
life. This leaves you with only so many hours off-season up here in Minnesota. The fi nished
a week left for you and your projects. Guard vehicle is sold at one of their shows usually near
your ‘you’ time carefully. It will be devoured by the end of the season with the funds going back
modern technological delights all
too quickly. The time you spend on
your technology, from social media to Deciding your priorities are
your favorite streaming video service, important. Some of the best advice
can eat away the hours you need
under your rusty hood. Yes, staying I have ever received was aimed at
in touch with those near and far is fi nishing something fi rst before
a good thing as well as catching up starting something else.
on your favorite show, however, what
will make you sleep better at night:
fi nishing rewiring your ignition or
having a few less episodes left to watch of your to the club for the next club car build. I guess
favorite show? putting in time on something like this is part
Deciding your priorities are important. Some of the responsibility of the club members, and
of the best advice I have ever received was you should be comfortable with this or cancel
aimed at fi nishing something fi rst before starting your membership.
something else. A pole shed fi lled with half- A family project is a little closer to my style
fi nished, half-forgotten projects will only make and is something all rodders should aspire to.
you feel more overwhelmed. Also, you have the What better way is there to ensure something
right to be selfi sh with your time. Helping others you built will be enjoyed by your loved ones after
is worthwhile but not at the expense of fi nishing you are gone than to build it with them? These
your own stuff. The idea of fi nishability should family connections can be hard to cultivate, so
also be touched on. If you are working hour after start young. Out of my four children, some love to
hour, week after week, month after month and help out while others tolerate it. I have done my
not seeing progress (or maybe it is the loved ones job well if I’ve exposed them to the hobby and let
around you pointing this out) then maybe this them make their own decisions as they age.

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