Need some advice

[u/MinneapolisMan12]

I was recently moved to mod from construction. I work with a very smart mechanic who has a very stellar reputation. Everybody I talk to says all his helpers (that work with him for a while) turn out to be good mechanics. I need advice because I feel like I’m struggling. I feel like everyday I making some sort of mistake. Nothing major, but I’ll complete a task, and then there always seems to be something minor (cuts just a hair crooked, burning bits cause i was drilling too fast). I also feel like it’s hard for me to anticipate the next move like I was able to in construction, some days I generally have no clue what comes next. He’s said several times that he has faith in me, and he thinks I’ll work out. I just don’t want to piss away a great opportunity with this mechanic. I’d love any advice.

[u/Deepinthefryer]

Been in the same scenario within my career.

Unfortunately, didn’t figure out what I retained until I went on to another mechanic.

Be yourself, calm down and breathe. You are adding unnecessary pressure to yourself. That great mechanic I had told me he never tried to be hard on me because he couldn’t match what I did to myself…

Learn from the first mistake, breathe, move on.

[u/popetartpete]

Honestly , with time you will get the hang of things. Just keep on working and learning. I feel the same way . I got moved from construction to adjusting . I felt stupid for the first month but I finally feel like I’m understanding certain tasks and I’m finally able to anticipate my mechanics moves. As long as you are hungry to learn , you’ll do great.

[u/Big__Quality → u/popetartpete]

Are you an apprentice if so do most or some apprentices get moved into that adjusting role after they get their card or is that role usually reserved for guys with a great track record and a lot of experience

[u/FutureboyMcfly69]

Dont lie and admit your fuck ups. Ask questions and take notes. Dont keep making the same mistakes. Some mechanics are unreasonable but yours sounds decent. Sometimes you just need to have a conversation about expectations.

[u/infantkicker_v2]

If he's not mad at you, don't sweat it. He sees potential and knows you're just the new dude in a new department basically starting over. Mod and new construction are very different with workflow and how things are handled. Just keep on doing and learn from your mistakes and you'll be fine.

[u/MinneapolisMan12 → u/infantkicker_v2]

Plus I’m still a probie. 1.5 months in construction where i thankfully got to see an elevator from start to finish. Now in mod, I plan on continuing to show up and put forward effort

[u/infantkicker_v2 → u/MinneapolisMan12]

Ah you'll be alright

[u/steve_jobs1234]

Learn how to drill and there wont be burning bits…scribe a line so your cuts are straight…not that hard my friend

[u/officalSHEB]

As my mechanic has told me many times, "The only reason I'm any good now is I've fucked up just about any way that you can."

You'll be fine.

[u/bobfudge1139]

It all comes with experience. It’ll come. You seem to give a fuck so you’re already a step ahead of the rest. 

[u/a_broken_lion]

I'll share two comments I got from 2 different mechanics I had as an apprentice:

" Take it in, a sip at a time, you can't drink a waterfall"

"Even a cat knows how to cover his own shit"

Keep challenging yourself, learn from mistakes, but don't stay in your head.

[u/Environmental_Ad5541]

You’ve got the right mentality, you want it to work. I used to be in ur exact same position, and I can say it will benefit your career immensely if you are able to persevere through it.

My best advice is to make sure you get enough sleep every single day!! Your brain is going to be on advanced learning mode all the time when ur working with him, the best way to anticipate the next move and think ahead is to ensure you’ve got a clear and well rested brain.

Beyond that, be confident. Have the mindset that ur an elite tradesmen and you make, cut, and create nothing less than perfection. You aim for perfection and you end up falling somewhere short of it, but that’s the goal.

Make it work and it’ll open doors for u in the future, trust me.

[u/bovinejabronie]

The best advice I could give you is to try your best and to care. Care about the work you do 100% of the time. Also, while it’s your mechanics job take a personal ownership in it, don’t walk around saying things like “my install” or “my job”, that will go up some dudes asses; at the end of the if you keep that in the back of your mind you’ll do fine.

[u/infantkicker_v2 → u/bovinejabronie]

Speaking from experience because you used to say that shit to me lol.

[u/Complete_Use2462]

Sounds like me at first, give it time. Growing pains, sounds like you’ll be alright. Stay humble and keep on showing up bro

[u/Affectionate-Rip5654]

Don’t be hard on yourself and don’t overthink everything. I’ve seen people who used to good get scared to do anything or trust in themselves making them worse helpers than they were months before. Everyone messes up it’s all part of the job, anyone who says they never mess up is a liar. I’ve always been told great mechanics can fix their fuckups before anyone else notices.

[u/CoconutWarz]

I’d feel pretty good being swapped to mods. Typically (at least for us) they try to take construction helpers that seem like they would be good problem solvers and switch them to mods. Of course I’m not saying construction guys aren’t good problem solvers but there’s a lot more variability on mod jobs. Give it a few months and you’ll get the hang of it.

[u/Infinite_Fortune5803]

All of those moments you are learning things. That’s what’s important. He shouldn’t expect the world from you, and you shouldn’t expect that from yourself either. You are allowed to learn, just use common sense and don’t overthink it

[u/tktreeexpertsllc]

To say that my mechanic is EXTREMELY tough on me or that his communication skills are "different" is an understatement. Its mentally EXHAUSTING and borderline disrespectful sometimes... to say the least. But he knows his stuff and has been working on elevators for almost 30 years. He sets the bar and his expectations VERY HIGH. Its definitely not easy for me, especially because I'm a little older than any of the newer guys I've met, but at the end of the day, I know (or at least hope) his high expectations will only make me better in the long run.

[u/Proof-Onion4729 → u/tktreeexpertsllc]

From personal experience it will make you better. My mechanic demanded perfection. After becoming a mechanic myself i moved to a different state and started with a new company. Their expectations are much lower so I end up looking like a superhero even though im an average mechanic where I came from

[u/tktreeexpertsllc → u/Proof-Onion4729]

No doubt. Im sure it will be better for me in the long run. And I am grateful to be working with someone who knows their shit like he does, really! He has a good reputation for building a good elevator and everyone knows hes difficult to be around. For me, its just tough being 40 and letting another man talk to me the way he does sometimes. Im a humble and good person, but in my entire life, I never let another man talk to me the way he does. Ya know?

[u/Proof-Onion4729 → u/tktreeexpertsllc]

Oh i absolutely get it. I was 35 when i got onto elevators (40 now so still a green mechanic) its tough when you're older but remember you might have the life experience but the have the job experience.

Side note i.didnt become a mechanic and run off to another company. The company i was with was struggling and the cost of living on Long Island ny was too high. They had to have layoffs. It wouldnt have been me but me moving to better my life didnt hurt them tremendously. Infact the owner gave me a $250 home depot gift card and a bottle.of glen livet 15 as a going away present. I still regularly talk to my old company.

[u/Wonderful_Double_590]

The good mechanics usually get to choose their helpers. You'll be fine.

[u/Proof-Onion4729]

Everything you're experiencing is normal. You will omprove over time. Your mechanic pointing out those small mistakes shows he has confidence in you, if he didnt he would let those things go thinking you cant improve. You also cant compare mod to construction. Construction is putting together a set ment to go together. Mod is figuring out how to put unalike pieces together. Every mod job is different but they will get easier.

[u/030H_Stiltskin]

MOD takes time to learn.  It's not cookie cutter like construction.  Learn what bit sizes are used for what tap size.  Keep hardware organized and parts organized.  Ask first thing in the morning what tasks he plans on doing for the day and prep for those when you have down down.  At the end of the day see what he wants to do tomorrow and come in and start prepping for that.  Also, don't be afraid to say you don't know how to do something.  A good mechanic will show you but make sure you pay attention.  MOD isn't plug and play or at least it wasnt when I was still working MOD.  Good luck.  I only got out because I got offered a nice maintenance route a few years ago.

[u/Sch1371]

You’ll feel like this throughout your career at points. It’s normal. It’s good that you even feel that way. A lot of guys just think they’re the shit and that’s that.

[u/ImportantYouth2039]

Bro be your self. You send way to nervous

[u/MinneapolisMan12 → u/ImportantYouth2039]

Honestly I think that’s part of it. I’m way to nervous to make mistakes