Yesterday, sitting in front of my computer starting to tear up at client emails, revision requests, demands, and shrinking deadlines - I learned a good lesson:
Learn your limits, and then say "no" when you hit them. Taking on more than you can handle only ends in... well, tearing up at client emails.
I took on too many client projects recently. I have a few brides I'm working with, a collection of custom crests and logos, some illustrations, and paper materials for various events. And I don't have enough time in my day (working a full-time job, trying to keep up with this blog, and having time to speak to my husband and cats) to actually complete the projects I promised people.
What does learning that lesson come with? A lot of "I'm sorry" or "I have to be honest with you" conversations. I emailed a few clients that have less stringent deadlines to let them know what's going on. I declined a few new orders. I wrote long emails to current brides letting them know where they were on my priority list.
And then, I stopped worrying and learned to love the bomb get to work. Last night I banished the panic in favor of actually doing the work that had to be done and started to make progress. There are going to be some long days and nights ahead as I work to complete time sensitive projects, but I consider myself schooled. And I need a giant desk calendar. And to really allot time to projects instead of just guestimating the amount of work they'll take.
I was faced with this struggle earlier this week as well and and after a few good cries myself agreed on the same – stop crying and get to work girl!hang in there friend! It's all gonna work out great and hope you have an excellent rest of the week!
ReplyDeleteWell done with getting started instead of just stewing in the panic. That is so impressive and takes incredible strength and concentration.
ReplyDeleteI think it takes learning to hard way to really evaluate the time required to get things done and to put a value on your time and work. For as hard as it is and must have been getting to this place, I am so very sure that the learning will absolutely be worth it and will ultimately benefit your business!
xx Katie
lovely letters
I love these pictures of you.
ReplyDeleteI still stand by the quote "when you say yes to something, you say no to something else." It's powerful. Way to go figuring out that limit for yourself...not an easy task. You're rocking it and you'll do great. Sometimes less is more because you'll be able to give what you really need to. Recently I was reading about stress and the reminder that stress isn't bad, it helps us get things done, but incessant stress is not so good. We can have a stressful time, be able to step away at moments, meditate, yoga, or whatever, and then step back in to get things done. Filling our Soul bucket so we can keep moving forward. I thought is was awesome advice. Good luck!
"Limit yourself and learn to say no". This is such a great lesson that we all need to learn. I have been told it time and time again but I truly believe that it means nothing until you've experienced that point of being pushed too far (even if it is by yourself).
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your projects and the. Rides, it will all fall into place and work out! Don't stress it too much :)