Hey guys! I’m Ellie from Mint and I’m here with a new project Margot and I are starting called Howdy Do It.
If you read Mint, you may know a little bit about this already… but if not, the short version of my story is that my husband and I were laid off from our graphic design jobs in September. It was really sudden, and I felt lucky to have some freelance projects started in addition to wedding design work from my shop Hello Tenfold. Since being laid off, I’ve heard from tons of people who are in our same situation. It’s not a great economy to be a designer (or much else, for that matter!). So, I know I’m not alone in trying to make my way as newly self-employed. Margot and I commiserated on the difficulties of time management and organization, and when she proposed a series on the topic I was all for it. Not only did I think this series would be helpful for other people in our same situation, but I thought it might help us to have the topic on our minds each week and maybe learn by doing. That’s the plan. So I’ll be here each Monday and Margot will be over on Mint discussing ways to get organized, get stuff done, and how to go about it. (And if you’ve got some ideas, please share!)
The first thing I noticed when I didn’t have to go to work for 8 hours every day was how quickly the days flew by. Two weeks of this, and I was starting to get panicky. At the end of each day I couldn’t believe it was over, and I also couldn’t pinpoint what I had gotten done. My to-do list (which includes managing my blog, shop, freelance design projects, along with sending out resumes and gathering a portfolio) was never-ending and causing a lot of stress.
Although I had never kept a time log before, I thought it might be a good way for me to figure out what, exactly, I was doing all day. It turned out to be very eye-opening in terms of where my time goes, and also kept me on task throughout the day (like oh crap, if I stop to watch an episode of Project Runway, I’ll have to write it down!). I realized I was getting done more than I thought I was, but that I was being unrealistic about how long things really take. It was perfect for those “I’m overwhelmed and frozen” moments, because I had to push through to the next task for the log. Sounds crazy, but whatever works, right?
So my challenge to you this week is to keep a time log for at least one entire day. I’ve made pdfs for you to download and print so that your time log will be pretty (and enticing, hopefully). My goal was to do it for a whole week, but after three days I’d had my fill. Sometimes I pick the log up again when I’m feeling especially overwhelmed with the number of things on my to-do list, and it really helps. In those situations, it’s not about monitoring my time, but making sure I’m actually doing something.
If you give it a shot, let us know how it goes for you! Good luck and… ’til next week!
downloads: Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday
photo credits: (1) sfgirlbybay (2) studio mathewes photography
[…] • Collaborative column about being recently self-employed between Mint Design and Pitch Design Union. […]
Great idea! I was recently tagged to do a visual diary blog post of my day, and I found it worked in a similar way. I felt like I was being watched, and had to do stuff so I’d have something to report.
When you’re to-do list fits on a Post-It note, it gives the impression that you don’t have that much to do, or at least that it shouldn’t take that long. I think this is why I too am unrealistic about how much I can do in a given period of time.
Anyway, thanks for the super cute task sheets. I will be reporting back with their efficacy ;-).
By the way, how I am supposed to get stuff done on Saturday and Sunday?! 😛
you hit on a future topic – TAKE A BREAK! 😉
seriously this is great! I get scared about these kind of things. And you feel the exact same as me, and so do others! It’s so weird when all of a sudden all of this time is yours, and so much pressure when you’re trying to build your business! The days fly at an insane pace! Im def going to use these! Thanks :o)
Wonderful post! I’m really excited about this series. I know I can definitely use a little focus for my efforts.
I can relate completely to what you’ve said. Each day I freak out at how fast the morning goes by and then the afternoon and before I know it, it’s five o’clock already?!?! Yikes! This happens almost everyday and it drives me crazy. I really need help w/time management. I’m going to try out these downloads. Thanks so much for creating them and sharing them too!
thisi s excellent!
Didn’t know I would see you over here!
The pdf’s are great! I’m always wondering where my time went.. and how did I managed to not get everything done!
So true. I felt like I was reading something I had written myself. My days start early. They end late. The breaks are few in between and still the time just seems to vanish. Poof! It’s gone and it’s starting to make me a little nervous; like I’ve been busy working all day, but what did I really get done?!
I’m definitely going to give these supa cute time management sheets a try. I think its a great idea. And I’m looking forward to the continuation of this series 🙂 Plus, this girl just loves a cute freebie!
This is a terrific idea for a blog series! I’m excited to check back regularly and step up my productivity.
I’m a huge fan of this blog series! I’ve printed out my task sheets!! Thank you!!
Hi,
just discovered your blog via White Country I think, thanks for the great tips for us freelancers out here who are left to our own devices.
Keep up the generous sharing
best regards
Thank you for using and crediting my photo! It’s thrilling to see it being used well.