Why I Quit A lucrative Job.  

Good call Rob. I was in a similar position, big house nice lady but there was something about her that didn't sit right with me. She always had different tradesmen in her house doing different jobs, her house was spotless but she expected her garden to be the same. I kept telling her that gardens are never finished, there's always something that needs doing. I should have read the warning signs better because she sent me a text this week saying she no longer required my services. The first customer to let me go in 5 years!!! I was gutted to be told I was longer needed but not sorry at all at losing her as a customer. As you say, something else will come along, one door closes and all that.... message to self, go with your gut feeling.

Many years ago when I started out, I purposely concentrated on getting large grounds. I soon realised for me, it was bloody hard work for little appreciation. Now I'm very happy doing the cut blow and go, with the odd pruning. It's about being happy in your work Rob. 👍

Rob you are doing very well, every lost bring way more to your mind set

Great move, Rob. Life is too short for the grief they were giving you.

Hi Rob, we nervously started a lawn care business mowing lawns just over 2 months ago (on just 2 days a week initially while winding down other stuff ) then full time for last 2 months . Keep doing what you re doing , we have a van full of kit ( Honda/ Stijl/ EGO ) and learning as we go ! love your tips, honesty and humour . Best regards, Marie& David

Bang on mate, had customers like this if you are not happy with the contract sack it off.

100% with you chap! You should always do what's right for you. If you're in a business purely for the money, you probably should have gone into banking or politics! Though it can be difficult sometimes, the best thing about being self employed is that you can choose which jobs you do. Been a self employed gardener for 10 years this year, will never make me rich, but that's why I do it. I love the work and the relationships I build up with the client, and have great job satisfaction!

Hi Rob. Life is to short to do a job you are not happy in. Sometimes you have to make hard decisions, good on you for recognising a problem and sorting it out.

Absolutely spot on Rob..... I only work for people I like,people I get a good vibe from....People who actually appreciate your hard work.. I had 2 very similar clients both more money than sense,,but horrible people... I had at one point over 300 clients,,thinned it down to 100...The best ones....Ones where they make you a drink,or say thankyou very much,great job.....Great video. Great content. 💯 👍💯

You’ve done the right thing rob if you can manage without it then why go to a job you hate it doesn’t make sense. 6 yes ago I left my job as a landscape labourer to go self employed. I used to have 3 full days on a farm and 2 days worth of my own work. I didn’t like the days I was on the farm now I cut grass all week every week along with the clients shrub and hedge cutting and pressure washing I hardly have time to cut my own grass. You will be the same you won’t need this “reliable” job. I think your early finish/maintenance day will soon get filled with grass aswel. Good luck and good videos.

Hey Rob, glad to hear you sounding a lot happier. I was in a similar situation to you and it was causing me more stress than it was worth. I had 3 childcare centres to look after each weekend and it took my whole weekend and left me exhausted on the Monday. I was trimming, mowing and blowing off each centre for an hourly rate and felt I had to race through each one to keep the hours down for the client. I work to a high standard so was putting in 4 hours at each centre to make it look it's best. The client was happy with the results, but not happy with the time taken and started asking if I could not blow off after, or maybe I didn't need to mow each visit. To take on the contract I had to jump through a lot of hoops, Working With Vulnerable People card, 10 Million $ Public Liability Insurance, and buy a ride on mower. Only a few months into the contract they terminated me in favour of somebody cheaper! It hit me hard in the pocket and motivationally too, but now I've bounced back with more residential customers who appreciate a quality job and I've got back the income and I'm a lot happier! Keep the video's coming mate. Cheers. Steve. Upper Cuts Lawn Care - Devonport Tasmania Australia.

Rob you are completely correct.Today I gave up a lucrative estate also.The management had me doing remedial tasks for months then complained about “other work” not been done. I sent them a lengthy message asking was there something wrong with the work I was doing and if they would like to reevaluate the contract we can reassess it at the end of July. They took this as I was handing my noticing at the end of July so I tried to convince them through the messages that this was not the case however they are adamant that is what I meant. At the end of the day I just agreed with them and decided to waiver the contract as it had become an absolute nightmare.

Wise words as always Rob, the jobs in hand have to be loved, not loathed! And I have had my share of the latter, including that 'night before dread'!

Great advice Rob. I spent 20 years offshore and hated it but didn't know any better. Now my Second season running my wee gardening business and its great. Makes such a difference being your own boss!! Definatly more to life than money!!

Great video. You did the right thing… you have to be happy in the job, it’s only by trying the different work can you know what suits you. Keep up the good work.

Love the video as always Rob

Hats off to you Rob. Wednesday’s have now become sooo much better! 🤓👍

I have just done the same thing with 6 nursery's I had. I like doing most of my other jobs but hated doing them and dreaded it night before like yourself. Got to be happy in what your doing 👍

I dont blame you bud,wish you well

Love the van chats Rob, keep em coming 👍.

5,000+ subscribers, well done Rob 😁

Fair play Rob, you did right mate, always do what's best for you and it'll work out in the end👍

Your personal health is the one thing you have to keep right Rob, and if that means giving up a well paid location then that’s what you do. There’s no doubt about it. If your worrying about it the night before and hating it when your there, then your be better off not doing it. Your personal personal health is your life - make sure it’s happy. 😊👍

How extraordinary that I did exactly the same thing lol, every wednesday a full day at a mansion with several gardens all with beautiful lawns, 3 full time gardeners plus me weekly to look after the lawns. This account paid me £300 for a day which was done when I finished the lawns. Start at 8am and could be done and home by 4pm. £1200 to £1500 per month if a 5 week month plus with lawn treatments I could add another £500 per month. It was run like a corporate machine, and like you I didn't feel self employed and wasnt happy but liked the money. Being honest I didn't need the money as i was able to save it all each month, a gifted position to be in but 10yrs building my business to achieve this. When i gave notice to quit they offered me double to stay!!!!!! But it wasnt about money and you understand that. Good for you man, staying true to yourself if the way ahead and it was the same for me. Best of luck buddy.

Hi Rob. Love watching your videos can tell your a honest lad. I used to do a couple of local "big houses" each took me half a day to a full day and like you said I didn't feel self employed anymore. Best thing I did was getting rid and having a few regular smaller customers gardens on them days. I'd say you have done the right thing. Keep up the good work look forward to your next video. 🙂

fair play mate good on u it took me

All the best Rob 🌱 💚😀

You made the right decision Rob. You will reduce your stress levels making this move.

Made the right decision there Rob. No point being self employed and dreading certain jobs. Watched all your vids now and finally subscribed. Learnt so much from you. Do exactly what you do in Worcestershire. Keep up the great vids...... Really enjoy them

I like this guys vids he's genune

Done the right thing Rob. You will fill that day easy and with better work. Its hard sacking of a customer especially one that pays well but definitely made the right decision

Good on you...I personally work on a fixed price now. Hourly rates don't work for me. Good vid 👌 👍🏼

Mate so pleased on your decision well done , you will not regret it and will find your spare time building quality customers. So do I take it a little battery purchase has been made 😎what’s happening Rob you are reinventing yourself , for the better of course . seriously mate you are rocking along with great videos sharing your journey.

Keep Mowing on. well said mate.🤓

Good for you fella

Good decision 👍 the only regrets on sacking off some jobs is that it wasn't done sooner

100% done the right thing Rob, there's no point working somewhere if you don't enjoy it... Also I agree with the fancy estates etc, as nice as they look, the smaller gardens are my bread and butter!

Great video Rob and good move. You’re right on what you say on some of the huge gardens etc. I was offered the same kind of job. Weekly every week. Huge grounds, so much to do. I remember the first day I started my client said a couple of things which straight away rung bells. I lasted an hour. I was honest and said I’m sorry it doesn’t feel right. I said the hour is on me. I think they respected me a bit for speaking out. Nice people, good money but not for me.

I did a similar thing last year rob. I dreaded going to this particular garden. It was time to go for me.

Nice one Rob

Hi Rob, That's a good decision if your not happy with that particular job get rid I had 1 of those contracts full day good money but I ended up hating it.. I'm sure you will fill that slot in and it gives you the chance to juggle things around.... As a self employed Gardener your always in charge and we are all looking for that excellent round. . Excellent video take care you will do it 😀

Totally agree mate well done. Ive avoided contract work since i started out for that reason. Inspired by your vids,I'm also putting my foot down with smaller customers where ive just gone wherever, whenever, doing whatever. still a few think they can just call and get me in for 2 days weeding like in the past but its not happening and their gardens are suffering. So either huge winter jobs building up for me or they sack me, either way i'm happy

God for you Rob. You’ll soon fill the gap in your books. So close to 5000 subs we’ll done.

always better to be happy in your work rob

You did the best thing Rob you'll pick some more work up soon the end of the day your the boss

Well done Ob if you don’t keep happy at work as we spend a lot of time there get rid, my eczema was getting really bad at one point when I looked at my client base I soon realised who was stressing me out, got rid eczema gone stress gone. All the best Rob 👌👍🏻😀 Jim from west midlands

Twas up your neck of the woods on a break from gardening. Your right about the rain last week. Good decision you made there. Said this so many times, "don't work for people you don't want to." Your right about bigger gardens. Imagine doing 5 gardens a week and then told you've lost two or three. Now imagine doing 40 a week and told you've losed two or three. Couldn't really care less to be honest. No more equipment to be bought, C'mon, there's loads to buy that you don't need.

You have to do what makes you happy, you are responsible for your own happiness. Money is just material Ps thank you for your advice, I have now switched to quotation pricing and it's much better, I feel like I can put more quality into my work without worrying about time.

I so agree with you Rob, I’ve got a stately home mansion with 11 acres, I’m not liking it so I’ll be giving it up in the new year, just need the money at the moment to buy me van. Thanks for ur video as it made me make my mind up. Keith smiley gardens 👍🤓

Good decision Rob ! This difficult decision will soon be a fading memory and you will once again have more clients than you can keep up with. All the best Steve

I got rid of a job where I was asked above and beyond, putting poop into a water feature as an extra job. The owner stood over me, that was it. Bye, your job is out of my usual area.

yes you have got to enjoy what you do. Enjoy your breather while it lasts as you will soon be fully booked again

Well done Rob. You definitely did the right thing if you didn't enjoy the work

hi Rob I have been following your journey and had the exactly the same dilemma a few years ago believe me when I say you will not look back it was the right decision I still keep a half weds free of booked hrs it has worked for me for the last 15 years andy

Good for you Rpb, life not all about money, Less stress

It's your life and business Rob do what is easiest for you bud I hope you're all keeping well up in the northeast buddy

The right decision, no point if you hate the job. Onwards and upwards. 👍

That's the beauty of being self-employed Rob. eventually, you get to a point where you can pick and choose your best most enjoyable best paying jobs. Good decision Im sure youll fill the spots soon.. and be a lot happier in the process

Correct desion Rob .better being happy at your eork

The biggest payers on my rounds were also the most stressful. If I was to start up again I think I would avoid retirement homes because there are a lot of people living at those places who are very fussy, and will complain about trivial things. There was usually always one or two very difficult residents who would never have a good word to say about my work. One of the other things I noticed about these shared grounds is that residents would often manage a little area of garden that was nearest their property as if it was their own, yet they had no more claim to it than the person living at the other end of the block. This is is just something that I suppose happens everywhere like this, and you just get used to it. Hopefully the vast majority of residents appreciate the work as they did in my case, but it's the ones that like to cause trouble that stick out in your mind.

Yes Rob your have to tighten your hands behind your back and not keep spending lol great video mate

Couldn’t agree with you more rob those big gardens aren’t for me either. I can make much better money on the smaller set price jobs. I also find a day of smaller jobs is a lot less tiring than a day spent on the bigger garden. You will fill that space in no time👍

Happy to Mow blow and go all day long for me 😋🍺👍👍👏

Nice talk. I already decided I want to be a gardener/horticulture person and not interested in doing handyman jobs , pressure washing, or treated as a menial worker. I find the best gardens are the ones owned by the nicest owners. (VLOG means video log but yeah I just call them videos too)

Now you are established, do what makes you happy, no point doing stuff you don't like! Well done, your mental health is more important than a few ££.

You’ve made the right decision Rob, one question for you, I’ve recently started up myself and cannot find much info on what lawn treatments I am / am not allowed to apply, I can find detail on what is needed on weed killers with PA1 & 6 , but very little on lawn care fertilisers, feeds etc? Any resources that you know of?

Hey Rob I'm same i worked bank holiday Thursday and Friday. We don't work in a bank do we.!!!!

You can be rich and miserable or wealthy and happy. We all die in the end and it’s all over. Use your time to be as happy as you can whilst on this stage.

Smaller is simpler,just got to remember, dont forget that life line you think that big job is,really isn't you'll still survive when you sack if off.

To improve is to change .. .. ..

Great video again Rob, love the honesty and integrity as always and I’m sure it’ll be the right decision for you. Always interested in how you ‘tickle’ the boarders, do you use a hoe or are you a hands and knees fella. Would love a video on this as I always think if I ever get around to setting up myself I’d be fine with a quick cut of a lawn but I’d get bogged down with the boarders and spend way too much time on them. Thanks keep up the great work, looking forward to seeing what electrical tool you’ve got 👍🏻

good decision Rob, i'd rather do 10 gardens a day than 1 big one, i used to do full day contracts on a few businesses locally, but covid put paid to those and im glad i dont do them anymore! I filled my diary gaps with new customers in no time!

Took me a few years but if you are not happy doing work for a particular customer or job you often discover you one of several of people who have or will come to the same conclusion .Some jobs make you feel like a robot worker, no feelings not human and you should be glad to be in use . 😄one door shuts, you know how it goes. Nice chat log

No point being in a job you’re not liking you have made the right choice in my eyes! I had a day a week customer I worked there for 10 year and I started to hate it after 5 years but was scared in the drop of money I kick my self now and wish I left sooner! You just know if it’s the job for you or not 👍🏻

Hiya Rob. Really interesting video. Just wondered if you had a spare strimmer and is it an expensive one. I only have 1 and I often wonder if it broke down I'm snookered. Cheers

Another good video, sounds like the best thing to do for you if you’re not happy there. Could I ask you what you use for books eg quick books ? Thanks in advance Rob.

100% agree with all that Rob. We all need to learn to march to the beat of our own drum. If it don't feel right. It's not right. Time to move on to the next customer. You buying electric after you berated it so much the other week 😂😂😂 All the best. Keep doing what ya doin 👍

It you don't enjoy it & dread going then you have certainly done the right thing. Money isn't everything

I’m sure Iv heard you say your not buying anything else for a while in all your last 5 vlogs lol. Also like it when you park up and vlog feels like your giving it all your attention.

Hi Rob, what software do you use to schedule and keep track of your customers each day/week and how do you track whose paid and who hasn’t.

dont worry you will get other jobs mate, nothing worse than going somewhere you hate mate. Made the right decision

Hi Rob, well, I know I said to stick with it, but I'm not you, so fair play to you.

What freedom

Do you mind me asking the daily rate ?

Don’t blame you Rob,remember if you are happy at what you are doing you will never do a days work in your life,crack on Rob.

Best move- keep a bit of freedom. Money ain't everything. Don't get trapped in an open prison🥴