- Set Deadlines
Everyone hates the pressure of
having to get something done by a
certain date — especially if the job
in question is a horrible one. The
thing about deadlines is that they
need to have a realistic timescale
— building a car in 10 days may
make great television but behind
the scenes there is a team of
people chipping in, and you may
well not have that. Instead, aim for
a show with plenty of time in
advance, then work out a schedule
to get there. Tell yourself for three
days a week you’ll work an hour a
day on the car.
- Manage Limitations
As Clint Eastwood once said, “A
man has to know what his
limitations are...” And it’s true. If
you’re rubbish at welding, get
someone else to do it but help
yourself out — and him too — by
doing the groundwork. Ask that
person what you can do to make
his life easier and spend your time
preparing the path for his visit. The
smoother it goes for him, the
more he’ll want to help — and the
less money he’ll charge.
6. Have A Vision
Either draw it or have in your head a
view of how you want your car to end
up. A strong theme is the key — and
stick to it. What you don’t want to end
up with is a confused car — one with
too many tweak-of-the-week features.
- Set Realistic Budgets
Everyone works out roughly how much
a project will cost but everyone
underestimates — cars cost lots to
build, there is no way to get around it.
The best thing you can be is realistic —
either don’t count the cost because it’ll
depress you, or bank on stuff costing at
least half as much again as you thought.
It sometimes helps to have a
contingency fund in reserve too. Yo u
will not have even considered the
small, incidental stuff (cans of paint at
£12 a go?) that mounts up. Don’t get
depressed about it, remember the goal!
- Use Money Wisely
There’s no shame in admitting your
limitations and farming some of the work
out — even if it does mean spending
money — because funds spent in the right
place can move you on leaps and bounds.
Nothing ever moves without the stuff
— nothing! Even the small components
need money so don’t be tight and be
prepared to reward for good work.
September 2019 31
