Losing focus and starting over

[theblindtiger]

Hey guys,

Does anyone else have the problem of starting over their collection constantly? I find that with the plethora of collecting options available, but with a limited budget I end up losing focus after awhile and then become dissatisfied with what I have collected. Have any of you experienced this, and how do you approach?

I think a bit of it is perfectionism. I see posts here where dudes have completed difficult sets or collecting objectives over many years, and I respect that. That's hard to do without losing focus.

Those of you who have been in the hobby for a long time, how do you maintain your focus? Are you satisfied with the collection you've created over the years? What has prevented you from losing focus and selling your collection, or have you done that and started over?

 

[capsfan30]

My main PC, Caps RC's, is always interesting, in my opinion, because new rookies every year, and players that get traded to/sign with the Caps always give me older stuff to chase as well.

It's hard to focus on really long term projects, such as my 99-00 UD Exclusives set, which I've been stuck on 3 cards left for quite some time. But, I just keep checking my daily ebay search emails, hoping that one of them will pop up. So, I don't really need to "lose focus" on it, because it's just kind of hanging out on the back burner, waiting.

What keeps me from selling my collection and starting over is knowing I'll never get back what I put in to it :laugh:

 

[bamlinden]

It took me a very long time to become satisfied with the projects I build and the cards I collect. Many times I have picked up items that pretty much do nothing for me a few months after buying them.

I found slowing my pace down and not worrying about all of the “stuff” that is out there helped. As well, I really lucked out and found a player collection that I became really passionate about.

I think finding the right road is just a part of the hobby. Hopefully the next project is the one that clicks. It’s all about patience in my opinion.

And having fun. That’s a big one too.

 

[Dr. No007]

Always but I keep coming back to my main collections Hall of Famers and Montreal Candiens. The options are endless so starting anywhere is a good thing!! It's hard to stay focused because there is so much cool stuff always coming out to collect but as always collect what you like is the ole saying.

 

[odjickfan]

It's OK to sell stuff at some point.

My Odjick and Pouliot collections are staying with me. But, I'm looking at trimming down my Habs, Nordiques and Oilers PCs, and I'll be more picky on sets I decide to build in the future. Less stuff, but stuff I care more about.

 

[creasecollector]

I think it depends on the type of collector, but I've always been satisfied with what I've been lucky to acquire, whether it's been high end or low end. My collection is fun for me.

Aside from player (goalie) collecting, I've felt "pressured" into thinking I need to set collect, or dable into something new from time-to-time. But I have since learned that if your collecting habits doesn't stem from something real or a hobby passion of yours, it can build a lot of heat but die out very quickly, which is why I've stuck to what I know and go from there.

Aside from certain goalie PC's, I've only ever considered collecting 2 other set collections (my most recent is the UD 300 Win Club jersey project), and that took awhile to settle on it. I like my natural passion for the hobby decide when I was going to start chasing those things, instead of "force" myself to start something new right away if that makes sense? I just let the hobby river take me wherever it wants me to go.

This natural approach has kept the hobby enjoyable for me instead of going after a new and flashy goalie subset, or collect "the next big thing" in goaltending because of their popularity and how I think the hobby community will react to my pickups. Think super collecting a "no name" rookie vs collecting a bonafide goaltending superstar. One will get significantly more attention than the other, but the love for the collection has to come from me first, otherwise the fire will die out quickly.

I too have been lucky that I've been able to freely collect a certain player (Jhonas Enroth) with a 'perfectionist/completionist' attitude toward this collection, so I can have fun and try to collect all of Enroth's cards, even though I know 100% will never be possible, it keeps the chase fun, enjoyable and cheap. He's also my favourite goaltenders that I still try and watch when I get the chance.

It can take time to be satisfied with what you have or the hobby projects you undertake, but I feel the time is worth every minute. Pays off in the long run.

 

[JRD19]

I used to have this problem, but have stuck with the Avalanche PC since 2001, when I started collecting Joe Sakic. I have stopped collecting Newfoundland players, but the Avs PC remains strong.

Damn, this is my first reply in three and a half years, so I'm still alive all. lol How's everyone been?

 

[LOTSOS]

I may have the problem you describe but I consider it branching out. When my two main collecting focuses slowed I added a set. When I finished the set and my two main focuses were slow I grabbed another set. Still working on that one but since it slowed I also branched out again into a modern rookie. Already have another goal lined up but I will wait until I finish one of my current projects. (Or everything else slows down for a few months)

Kevin

 

[HammerHawks]

I had that problem when I was younger...switching player PCs and then selling them off. But I'm more focused now on the players I collect because they are meaningful to me. Hjalmarsson is one of my favorite players and I love the chase of tracking down his stuff, especially rare parallels. Slavin and Whitmore are two guys I am friends with, so collecting them is easy. Dzingel is a bit of a loose friend that went to my high school, as I have met him a few times. The sets I collect are because I love how they look. They aren't the highest end or have every star imaginable (though there are some BIG fish, for sure) but I love collecting them because they are cool to me and getting a new one makes me really happy. If I ever finish either of the sets I collect, I will feel incredibly satisfied. I think it can happen, but I know it will take a long time, and I'm content on waiting it out because I know it will be worth it in the end.

 

[eishelges]

Spoken for me I don't feel hesitated any more. I try to pick up my ovis from upper deck ultimate collection what is hard enough because of all these 1 of 1 and parallels. Market is drying out because of all these group breakers, so some very rare cards do not show up on eBay. Besides ovechkin I am going for the ud ultimate achievements set of 2007/08, so I have a second project started 3years ago what is more than difficult and pretty expensive. But so I have not to buy many cards anymore and I really enjoy adding a very low numbered card of a HOF player to my PC.

I really enjoy watching breaks/show and tells and comments here on the boards f.e. Of primetimepawich very much, its always fun to look through your PCs, so it is not that important for me to have a lot of new additions every month. Collecting should be enjoyable, not stressing me.

Thanks to everyone who makes that board great, especially gomaz!!