This is something I’ve only recently started doing, saying no to jobs because they don’t fit either my schedule or my niche.
But I’ve learned the hard way. I would never say no to any work. I think it’s something ingrained from being completely broke financially, you never want to go back to that so you’re afraid to turn anything down.
I’m not convinced I have a secret skill, what I do have is patience in the way I approach my work and that gives me an ability to solve problems. Diagnosing cars is really about solving problems.
Even if it’s just a noise when your car is turning a corner, a mechanics mind will go into diagnosis mode. We can see mechanical components in our minds, we see them moving and can visualize how that noise might be happening.
It’s the car that – almost – kicked my butt! A few years ago I had a VW Touareg in the workshop with a crank no-start complaint. It came in running, but not well. And it was pot luck if it would restart once switched off.
Im struggling to make this daily prompt car related without making it sound cliché.
I could say I wish there were more hours in the day so I could work on more cars, but seriously, even if you’re very committed to your job – which I am – you don’t want extra time so you can do more work.
What free tool do you want and how would you get it?
Daily writing prompt
Getting something free always comes with a catch right? Well not necessarily if you’re an ITC1 member at Harbor Freight.
Today – March 20th 2026 – they are giving members a choice of three different free tools if you purchase anything in store. If you’re not a member but you spend $34.99 you also qualify.
Instead of writing this myself I asked someone to sum me up in one word.
Relentless. Always learning, always building, always pushing forward: even when things get messy or slow.
In this business the best compliment you can receive is a returning customer.
Getting to work on someone’s pride and joy is definitely the highest compliment you can be paid.
Owners put a lot of hard earned cash into the cars and they trust you as their mechanic to look after it as if it were your own.
Is there any better way of going cross country than taking a car? Well maybe a Motorcycle but then it has to be with a few other riders. For me the car is absolutely my choice.
Of course coming from my point of view a well serviced car is essential. But a pre trip check over should be carried out. After all this is going to be a fun trip.
So what should be looked at before a long journey?
That’s the essentials from a mechanical point of view. It’s probably a good idea to have some good breakdown coverage to get you home or even to get you to a hotel for a night should the unthinkable happen.
All that done it’s time to see the country with peace of mind and the comfort of knowing you can, if all else fails rely on your car.
