Being a painter and decorator is more than a trade, it’s a particular set of skills, a business, and often a way of life. But like any hands-on profession, it’s easy to get stuck in a routine. When you’re juggling client jobs, quotes, paperwork and trying to stay up to date with everything, it canContinue reading “FAQ – Finding inspiration”
Tag Archives: Advice
FAQ – Work / life balance
Spring is often the busiest time for painters and decorators. People are doing their spring cleans, and it’s reminding them how shabby some parts of their properties are. They look at their exteriors and think they could use some maintenance. There’s the saying, ‘make hay while the sun shines,’ and while spring and summer areContinue reading “FAQ – Work / life balance”
FAQ – Working backwards
I love working backwards. I think it’s the way forward… For at least a decade I’ve been working backwards. It came about because of a conversation with my wife, who teaches dressmaking and pattern cutting. She said to me, “The important thing isn’t what you teach, it’s about what your students learn. If they’re struggling,Continue reading “FAQ – Working backwards”
FAQ – Turning over a new leaf
Autumn is here, it’s the start of the new academic year – kids are off to school, college and uni. Many people (except teachers) have a bit more time, a bit more headspace. It’s a great time to think about the future, about what needs changing, about learning new stuff, about what needs focusing onContinue reading “FAQ – Turning over a new leaf”
FAQ – The power of pausing
being responsive, not reactive We’re all guilty of it… Something happens, we have an emotional reaction, and we act. Maybe someone says something that riles us and we get cross. Maybe a client makes a change that throws our plans and we’re irritated. Maybe we’ve priced for a job, and when we go to buyContinue reading “FAQ – The power of pausing”
FAQ – Decorating for the planet
Most of us want to pass on a healthy planet to the next generation. With climate change, rivers and seas too polluted to swim in, air pollution, species in decline… it can seem rather depressing.But there’s a lot we can do to be more sustainable decorators, and it’s good for business too. When it comesContinue reading “FAQ – Decorating for the planet”
FAQ – Time well spent
I don’t know anyone who gets it totally right when it comes to spending their time how they’d like to. But I’ve learned quite a few useful things over the years… As we come up to the Christmas break and start considering the next year, it’s a great opportunity to think about our greatest assetContinue reading “FAQ – Time well spent”
FAQ – With a little help from our friends
Whatever we’ve achieved in life, it’s not been on our own, however ‘self-made’ we think we are… It’s good to pause every now and again and recognise all the people who have helped us be who we are today, and who’ve helped us do whatever we’ve accomplished. Not only is it worthwhile to reflect andContinue reading “FAQ – With a little help from our friends”
FAQ – How to juggle things when you get busy
There are times in life when everything seems to happen at once, and for decorators that’s often towards the end of the summer when we’re trying to get exteriors done before the autumn kicks in, people are on holidays, family weddings, our own gardens to keep on top of, let alone all the unexpected thingsContinue reading “FAQ – How to juggle things when you get busy”
A guide to breaking the mould
Kathryn Tormay at Crown Paints discusses talking to customers about avoiding mould… Rising energy costs and a cost-of-living crisis is going to encourage homeowners to keep their windows closed and heating off. The lack of ventilation in properties, along with the mild, wet conditions of British weather can create the perfect breeding ground for mould. Continue reading “A guide to breaking the mould”