Revitalizing Yourself Ahead of the Upcoming Fall Season
With yet another busy season quickly approaching, it’s important to have your sights set on everything you need to help get you to the other side. A lot of creatives might rely on long hours and sleepless nights to push through their mountain of projects, but I’m here to share that you don’t have to stretch yourself too thin to have a successful fall season.
Here are my top tips for making sure that you stay focused and sharp all the way to the finish line.
Zero in on your schedule
First things first – let’s make sure that you know exactly what your schedule will demand of you. A lot of times, we think that all-nighters are the answer to get everything done on time. While some projects and designs *do* require some extra effort, that doesn’t mean that your creativity or energy levels have to suffer.
Sit down and carve out some time to go over what your day-to-day will look like. I find that block-scheduling is the best route, as it allows me to sit down for a few hours to answer emails, schedule client meetings, or whatever else I might need to get done. Your team should also be able to step in and help you with some things, but it’s crucial that you have eyes on the deadlines. This will make everything much more manageable, I promise!
Be clear with your clients
One thing that I cannot stress enough is that you should always make sure you’re communicating clearly to your clients during this time. Busy season means less time sitting at your desk and watching for emails to filter in; even adding your office hours to your proposal or your email signature can help set those boundaries.
Don’t be afraid to communicate these boundaries with your team, too. If you need some extra grace during this time and need them to put their best foot forward while you’re in client meetings or design consultations, let them know exactly how they can help you. Make sure that you’re clear on what you need from them, including how/when they can reach you.
Prioritize self-care
Don’t forget to take care of yourself! I’m guilty of overworking myself at times, but that doesn’t mean it’s a good habit to have. Schedule some downtime (yes, on your calendar!) with your family and friends, or even just to have a day off when you can. Running your own business doesn’t require that you have to give up all of your free time, even if it’s busy season.
Giving yourself some time every day will help ease the stress of your big projects, and you’ll be extremely happy in the long run when the holidays inevitably come around. Knowing exactly what’s on your plate day-to-day will also give you peace of mind that you’re organized and ready for anything that comes your way!
Photos by Kris Kan
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