TAGS: PRODUCTIVITY, FOCUS, TIME MANAGEMENT
No (prior) time
I am in the first phase of developing my business. Not many customers yet. I have time to fine-tune my own service and spoil my pioneers ☺️. And also time to listen. I've done that both in 2019 in writing my business plan, and while experimenting with coaching and planning methodologies. Now that my service is official and happening, I am taking the time in this start-up phase to expand my network. For example, in March and April I gave free online boost calls to help creatives in the C*times (I can't hear the word anymore 😉 ). 16 calls, not bad for a start-up service with no network (tjaka).
This is what I want to contribute. Being involved in the creative process, motivating others. I sit together (virtually) with photographers, graphic, web, product designers, copywriters, audio engineers, illustrators,... I listen to what their obstacles are and how we can tackle them in a pragmatic way. This results in a visual overview of what needs to be done. We delineate the concept, the timeline and what the first steps are.
Today I put this pain point on the table. Time.
Above all, priority. This is something I often hear from freelancers who want to work on their own projects or from agencies that constantly have to perform because of high client expectations. It is difficult to set priorities.
Katrijn, I have too little time to
Be creative.
To get inspiration.
To connect with customers.
To think about my own brand.
Finding the right partners to bring in an entire project.
With a high workload, little time, long-term credibility begins to suffer. An energy-consuming process that is no longer about the creation itself, but about everything that has to happen before and after. Let alone all those details in feedback rounds. Frustration as a result.
I get it.
Yes, good, Katrijn. Thank you for putting everything on the table. And now?
Of course, I have some insights to share 😇
NUMBER 1. Give yourself more time.
Absurd, isn't it? But actually very easy. I am a big fan of "control what you can control". You are the creator, you decide the timing of when a product is ready. You choose your own deadline. A deadline on a Friday? Don't do it anymore, nobody will be looking at that new website on Friday evening. Right?
NUMBER 2. Communicate more about your thinking and operational process.
The thought process doesn't happen in a week. No, I can't think of a logo in a week. Indeed, because you also have other projects running. Communicate proactively. Communicate to your client what stage of their project you are in. "I'm working on...".
Clearly. And that way, they let you continue working without asking for updates. Fewer e-mails!
number 3. Agree with what and when something is finished.
This is a finished product dear customer when you want to change something, it will happen within x number of weeks. So don't squeeze it in (anymore). And also be clear that this is the finished product. The colours have been thought through. The design is well-thought-out. Dear customer, please don't try to change it yourself. An edit is certainly possible, but it will be settled in a new invoice.
No foolish new insights probably?
Everyone knows that priorities are important. Everyone knows that things need to be optimised. Because that frees up time to do the nice things you do as a freelancer, why you started an agency.
After all that needs to be done, there is no time left to work on the growth of your business, the higher goals, to set well-considered priorities...
How do I approach this in cooperation with a freelancer or agency? I always start with process analysis. The ability to listen and empathise was hammered into my head during my studies as a socio-cultural worker. Side note: We often laugh together with my best friends with whom I studied. Look at us here, the social workers with our uber empathy. Haha, but we understand each other very well.
So do I. I quickly sense what needs to be done, I dare to identify bottlenecks in an honest way (with a no-judgment policy). I bring about change. Because of my analytical capabilities, I see how you can implement things yourself in a minimalist way. Actions and concrete initiatives. Implementing. And not within x number of weeks. Now is the priority.
Time. Priority. That's where we started. And that's where I want to end. I do not offer a step-by-step plan. Because there is no such thing as a step-by-step plan. How I work is to help you focus on 1 problem, 1 situation, 1 project and think about the desired outcome. Thinking about results is the best way to see them become reality*.
Good luck in trying these 3 tips!
Is I support creatives something for you? Do you want to make time for what you like doing best?
Don't hesitate to schedule an intro talk! LINK
*ALLEN, D., Getting Things Done, Amsterdam, A.W. Bruna Uitgevers B.V., 2019, 376 blz.