This business can definitely be "feast or famine." It seems we either have more work than we can handle, or we're sitting on our hands with nothing to do. Time management is tough in this business, and the effects of ignoring it make it worth mentioning here.

Many of us contract work from local retailers in addition to the work we find on our own. The shops like to call our own work "side work," but in my case it makes up at least 50% of my income, so I can't let it take a back seat to the shop work. The problem for me stems from trying to keep time open for the shops and still schedule my own work. I have not found a magic time management tool. Schedules at this stage of construction have to stay flexible, and jobs are rarely ready when they're supposed to be. What I have discovered is that I am a better installer, father, husband, and human being if I resist the urge to work 7 days a week, 12 hours a day to keep-up.

Try to do something fun at least every other weekend, even during the busy months. You might lose a job or two that just can't wait, but if your attitude stinks from the burn-out that will inevitably result from working yourself to death, you're going to lose more than a couple of jobs. Take some time to go fishing, help coach your kid's hockey team, whatever; just do something relaxing and for yourself. In the end, your family and customers will be glad you did.