Time Management

[s_spice113]

Hi,

I have a one person web and graphic business going. I have wanted what everyone else wants. I wanted it to become profitable which meant more clients.

I have that right now. <IMG title=smile alt="" src= "http://www.sitepointforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif">

Now that I have them how should I manage my time. I am feeling overwhelmed. There just isn't enough time in the day. I have a full time job during the day that I have to keep until the web become the full time job. I said it was profitable. I didn't say that I was ready to quit my job.

What is everyone elses experiences? How did you do it?
_____________

[Magnus]

I have no idea, but in the army, they taught us to work backwards. So if you have a deadline to meet at say, 4:30 p.m. That day, your routine might go like this:


4:30 pm - printed job.


4:00 pm - begin printing


3:00 pm - final proof and corrections, customer ok's it and gives go ahead to print.


2:00 pm - Initial proof, customer makes changes.


11:00 am- 1:00 pm - design process, book 3 hours art time.


10:30 am - meet with customer, get specifications for project, discuss it.


10:00 am - Recieve information about a job from customer.


Ok, that's a really rough example, but if you work backwards, and alot a given amount of time for each phase, the theory is that you never miss your deadline. With more experience, you can approximate how much time each action will take, and you can divide your time up a lot more accurately, based on the job type.


I hope that helps a bit! Good luck!

- Win or lose, it doesn't matter...but I guarantee, you will respect me tommorow morning.

[snypa]

wow, magnus!!! that's really good advice. i really could've used it about a year ago, but better late than never

if you feel you are not properly sedated, call 348-844 immediately. failure to do so will result in prosecution for criminal drug evasion.

Post Edited (snypa) : 12/21/2004 6:16:48 PM GMT

[Debz]

Yes mag i love that idea.. I WISH stuff would take a day like that tho.. ;) Lol.. usually they get the proof back days later.. :o well my customers at least. lol.

very good idea!!!

if your business is taking off the way u like.. what about cutting back hours? or finding a new flexible job. one day your going to have to quit. maybe just take babysteps at a time? or hiring an assistant..

America.. ***** Yeaaaahh!!

[Troll]

If only things like that time line worked out like that, we would never have any problems

[Magnus]

Well, if you're swamped, then a good idea is to let your client's know your work load, and of any possible delays. It's also important not to take on more than you're capable of handling....time management is a skill which takes time like anything else to get better at.

Know this: Spammers, Flammers and Trolls will be shown no mercy and given no quarter. They will be pursued to the ends of the earth and executed Mod-style.

- Magnus

[PrintDriver]

3 out of 5 designers don't do it that way.
Why do I find that very...scary.
Explains a lot, but still...scary.

Like Edesigns mentioned, it rarely works out that simply but at least it's a model for you to follow.
Proofing and changes will eat up time when you don't have the time to spare.

PrintDriver is a grande format digital print dude. His advice/opinions may not apply to the 4color/offset/web world of printing

[D-Zine]

there will always be the unexpected things to get you behind but if you atleast follow some sort of schedule and have some sort of organization...when those things do occur it makes them alot easier to handle. Organization is a huge key in time management.

Boobie Island or Bust!

[wango]

Great suggestion Mangus! What i've also found to be successful is to set loose deadlines. Don't forget your a freelance designer, no one is enforcing your deadline but yourself. Ultimately if your efficient, any delay's or complications in the design & production process are usually caused by the client & not you. Such as, waiting for them to approve proofs, make changes or additions ect. - thus they are liable for said delay's and for any subsequent hypothetical deadline 'missed'. What I mean by loose deadlines is; instead of giving them a specific time (which also may cause problems with national & international clientele) give them a loose time of day reference. Such phrasing like 'late evening, early morning, around noon, afternoon, ect.' will give you a greater cushion to adjust to any possible discrepencies that you may encounter. This has worked out very well for me & is a big reason why my freelance business has grown significantly dispite my Chronic Procrastination Syndrome (CPS). Don't forget the beauty of being self-employed is freedom, not time - only take what you can handle & don't be afraid to TELL your clients when they can expect the creative product instead of the other way around. As long as you stay consistantly close to your loose deadline, & are efficient with your time you shouldn't have any problems with time managment again.

- I used up all my sick days...so from now on - im just going to call in dead.

[Magnus]

^ ^ Good advice!

Know this: Spammers, Flammers and Trolls will be shown no mercy and given no quarter. They will be pursued to the ends of the earth and executed Mod-style.

- Magnus

[PrintDriver]

Uh huh.

What about those hard deadlines?
Like office or store openings, trade show SHIP dates (not show dates), newspaper submission deadlines, holidays, etc.
Seems graphics always are the last to be produced in such instances with changes right up until the very last possible minute (and then some), including FedEx-ing to the show floor or using dedicated couriers. We do after all still have to print it and finish it, with all that can go wrong there.
Gets expensive for the client and/or designer...
This includes work not only done by in-house corporate designers but freelancers as well.

PrintDriver is a grande format digital print dude. His advice/opinions may not apply to the 4color/offset/web world of printing

Post Edited (PrintDriver) : 12/22/2004 3:12:20 PM GMT

[Magnus]

That's where your adaptability comes in as a designer, as well as your experience. If you have such a deadline, then you make the time for it. Period. If you can't, then the onus is on you to take responsibility for it.

There is no clear-cut and dried solution. And in fact, my first posting which had the 'model' in it for time management WILL work, so long as you work backwards...the time it takes to complete whatever operation you have to go through will vary as well. Experience will dictate how long it takes you to do something, that's when you can get better at time managing and estimating job costs and so forth.

Don't dwell on 'What if's...'. It's best to deal with the current situation and plan for it as best you can.

Know this: Spammers, Flammers and Trolls will be shown no mercy and given no quarter. They will be pursued to the ends of the earth and executed Mod-style.

- Magnus