This is a subject I am always researching a re-analyzing. My own personal schedule shifts quite often and I need to know how to manage my own time. I go to work from 9-5, eat, and work some more. It has been tough and it will take some trial and error but it is possible! Hopefully, the freelance work you do will take off and you will be able to maintain an income solely on your own business, but for now; These are a few of the things that have worked for me and tips that I would recommend anyone with this double shift style to try out!
1. Write It All Down.
Whether you just jot it down on a notebook or a napkin, it is essential for you to remember the tasks you need to do when you are already filled with things to do! Even if you have a great memory, writing things on a list and crossing them off is a great feeling that motivates you to keep going. You will be more efficient and feel less overwhelmed when you get home and scramble to figure out what your next tasks are.
I keep a journal with me at work that I will make a list in. There are countless moments when I will be finishing a project at work that reminds me of a something, or gives me the solution I was trying to figure out the night before at my own desk. Instead of stopping what I am doing to work on my own client (not an ethical idea), i quickly write down my thoughts so I can come back to it without any hesitation. Works amazingly to save time.
2. Always Keep Learning.
This is less of a balancing mechanism and more of a productive way of working. I personally hate wasting time when I know I have loads of things I could be doing. If I am low on things to do at my day job, I take every opportunity to learn and sharpen any qualities that I can. The company I work for is pretty small, so I have the ability to talk to the owner and be very close to everyone - which helps me learn what to do and what not to do in a business and in dealing with clients. If this isn't where you want to work forever, then think of it as a class you are getting paid for. Even if it doesn't pertain to your freelance work (I am grateful that mine does), you can still learn a lot from other people.
3. Section Off Your Days
I like to have a clear view or idea of what I am going to be doing that day. Along with last minute jobs and files that need to be sent, I dedicate every weekday to a specific goal that I can check off at the end of the night. For example;
Monday is Networking day. Where I schedule out social media posts, write emails to clients and look for more connections.
Tuesday is Finance day. This is when I calculate what I have spent so far and organize whatever invoice I might need to send at some point.
... and so on. This helps you keep an organized plan and stay on track. When you spent all day at work you can get used to going to someone else to give you a task. This way you will always have something on task for today that you already know about. It's what I love about being your own boss.
4. Don't Be Afraid to Take Risks
This is something I think we all struggle in. Once in a while I will have so much to do that will be impossible in the short amount of time that I have when I come home from work. I have had to take personal days off from the office to get my own work done. If you know what you are worth and are making sure to stay responsible at your day job, there is nothing wrong with investing a day for your own career. Would you feel guilty taking a day off when you are sick? (for us work-a-holics, yes, but mostly no) You need to take care of your body and you need to take care of your goals.
It is insane how much work I can get done in a full day completely dedicated to my career. If you price yourself correctly as well then you will be making more money working at home then at the office anyways.
5. Cut the distraction.
This includes kids, phone, Tv in the background, but specifically the day job. If you have a lot of responsibility at work, sometimes you aren't even off the clock when you are off the clock! its important to make those boundaries clear with your boss and co-workers. Don't accept calls after hours and don't reply to emails once you are on YOUR time. Stop making someone else rich and hustle for yourself.
If you work retail, don't take extra shifts. You made your schedule around them and you need to honor your time dedicated to your career. That job is most likely not where you want to be in 5 years, and although you might need those hours, you also will never get to the career spot you want to be in if you spend all your time at that day job. Stay focused.
There is a lot more that I have learned at work and during my freelance that I would love to write about, so stay on the look out for a part two! Comment with any tips that have worked for you!​
​
Should I go to College for a Design Degree?
I hear two very different answers to this question. Why go to school when you can learn it yourself at home, with the internet? Or; there is nothing like the experience of going to a college or university, plus you can't get a good paying job without a degree. After having been out of college for a year or so, and having stopped after my Associates degree, I have my own opinion.
It really depends.
I know, that is a bad answer - but it's true. Here are the factors:
Can you focus on your own?
Do you like holding yourself accountable?
Are you a quick learner?
Most importantly, are you a good communicator?
In my experience, classes wont teach you how to be a good "designer". They will teach you how to sell your designs and make money (which is important if you want to eat). If you are already really good at expressing your ideas, can make and build your own connections and network like a boss - then I would personally recommend learning the design basics at home. Everything is readily available on the internet if you are dedicated. Save yourself the expensive tuition and use that money and time for a good computer and tickets to meet-ups/talks/networking conventions, because THAT is what will get you in the door.
Now, if you don't have great communication skills, have absolutely no idea where to start, or know you can't trust yourself with waking up early and spending countless hours in front of the screen studying and practicing - school is great. You will meet amazing and creative people who will inspire you, professors who will be passionate and helpful (hopefully) and you will really get that push you need to keep going. It's true that a degree could get you a job interview, but if your work is "pretty good" at best, you will not get the job you want. Some employers will only look at applications with degrees, some look at your portfolio before even checking for a degree. An employer worth working for will look past the degree and listen to the people who recommended you. The people that know you and your work ethic, the ones who saw you working and staying late at school, or the ones that saw your work and heard you talk about it. The people who have businesses and connections are the ones you need to have conversations with - think about every conversation as a little interview - you are always selling your work.
In my case - I knew I would never make it if it was all in my hands. I needed to learn how to manage my time better and I loved meeting new people. I still surround myself with passionate people, because I need to see that energy to stay energized. The connections I made with my professors and students were incredibly important, and the only reason I am at the job I have. I did learn design principles and a lot about other things that i never knew - but the most valuable thing I got from going to school is the connections and motivation. I grew as a designer and was able to really find my strongest points through the assignments. BUT - I don't plan to go back and get a Bachelors degree. This is specific to my own career goals, but I don't think it is necessary to go on. I have built connections and I know what kind of work I want to do, and also learned how to organize my time. At one point I may feel it is necessary to return to school, but as of now I don't have a reason to.
These are my own personal opinions, and I definitely don't know all that much, so please leave a comment with what you think and let me know!