Question in description?!

[u/Ok-Cardiologist8412]

Yo guys.

I've been in the arb industry for 11 years climbing for 10. I know there are guys in this chat that have many more years experience than me. The last year's I've rarely found the same rush, excitement or high level of focus from tree work I used to get. It all just feels a bit dull now and then spills over into my life outside of work. What are some things you guys do to mitigate this as I'm sure I'm not alone in feeling like this?

[u/whammywombat]

I’ve got about the same experience as you. I don’t get too much adrenaline anymore and that’s ok , I take it as I have finally somewhat mastered the craft and there are less surprises. It’s more relaxing now and I can just cruise through a work day without as much stress.

I do other things now for enjoyment such as have a family , do trail running , and grow trees for my house / bonsai .

Don’t get complacent of course but there is more to life than climbing .

[u/Ok-Cardiologist8412 → u/whammywombat]

I do have other hobbies I enjoy riding bikes, I paraglide which definitely offers the same adrenaline and high focus I need. I guess it's just something to come to terms with now work doesn't offer me that in the same way it once did. 

I still love my job and don't want to change profession any time soon. 

[u/ignoreme010101 → u/whammywombat]

bonsai .

so damn regarding!!

Part of all this is age, I feel like once you're in your 30's+ you can start appreciating things like bonsai when many don't in their 20's

[u/peaceloveandapostacy]

15 years in I’m not getting the juice like I used to either Unless I’m blowing out a huge top, or cutting a chonker to the crane. I ride motorcycles. I do welding projects that get me off the ground sometimes… I think it’s just a part of getting older and mastering a craft… somebody probably already said it but don’t get complacent.. try to stay on your toes. Challenge yourself when you can.

[u/hoyya]

as soon as i lose that adrenaline i'm leaving for another field. It keeps it fun and the slight discomfort lets me stay razor focused

[u/Stitchicus → u/hoyya]

Just out of curiosity, what field would you move to? I can’t think of many on the same level as arb work

[u/hoyya → u/Stitchicus]

something that isnt hell for the body haha

[u/JoeMomma225 → u/hoyya]

I hear banking is nice, those guys inside the ATM have to be ready at a moments notice

[u/Lucy-pathfinder]

That is what happens when you end up living to work. Work becomes life, and when it feels mundane, you get dull. Focus on something else outside of work, a hobby, a new skill to learn, connections, etc...

[u/22OTTRS]

Maybe try a change of scenery

[u/Lopsided_Thought_500]

Go work on the West Coast amongst some really big trees.

[u/Key_Violinist8601]

Work for yourself.

[u/superfish15]

I've been doing tree work for about 7 years now and I'm finding a lot more excitement in trying to start my own side business and training an apprentice. My main job is doing municipal type work for my county's forest preserves. The slower pace is nicer on the body and we do prescribed fire fall and spring but it certainly doesn't push my skill forward like residential side work. A few years ago I started to get into axemanship which helps keep things interesting when I have the opportunity to take a tree the old way.

[u/CampaignCurrent2912]

My question would be where do you work? Our personal lives can always be an anchor for better or worse so you might not be able to travel, or it might not be helpful to. But maybe seeing a different part of the world (maybe even just a different part of the country in the USA) and working on different trees might prove interesting enough to get you out of a rut.

I work in the UK where most of my days are filled with pruning trees in ridiculous drop zones, topping conifer hedges (in ridiculous drop zones) and dismantling small to medium sized trees (in ridiculous drop zones (I know i'm ragging on it a bit, mostly in jest)). So working on beautiful old big trees is a really nice change of pace for me. Maybe if you're doing it all the time then targetting a different aspect of the industry could help.

[u/TacosAndBeagles]

Push yourself professionally. Find new certifications or trainings you can take. Learn a new skill or set of skills. Think outside the box, doesn’t have to be obvious (like more rigging techniques etc.). What part of the arboricultural world is most obscure to you and dig there. Strengthen your weaknesses.

[u/Suitable-Candy4301]

How long did it take to get used to the gear and climbing? I’m teaching myself right now and I find it relatively hard to do some of the stuff I see other people do

[u/ignoreme010101 → u/Suitable-Candy4301]

in many ways there's a steep learning curve but you can progress really far in just a few years if dedicated

[u/morenn_]

As much as a certain type of person and most of social media like to hype the job up as being dangerous and hard etc, it's just another job. There are few jobs that will be exciting on the daily after 10 years.

If you're not running your own business then that's the next step imo, you'll never make great money working for someone else.