You know who is really good at lists? Not me! Elsie Flanagan from Red Velvet Art. I’ve been reading her blog A Beautiful Mess for a couple of years now and I’m always amazed at how much she gets done. Does this woman sleep?
I took one of her online courses and during a Q and A session I asked (along with everyone else) “how in the world do you do it all!?” and this was her response:
“Lorrie,
First of all, thank you so much! You are really kind. I am glad you could join us today.Ok.. as far as daily work; I usually get coffee with Jeremy each morning so I do get dressed each day (unless i am in the middle of a MAJOR deadline or update, in which case i stay home until it is done and pretty much don’t do anything else… haha!). I really enjoy my work, so I don’t have a problem with being motivated but i usually have “too much” to get done so i have to choose the most urgent work first each morning. I try to spend a few night each week creating for fun or doing a personal project. That helps me stay sane too!
I completely understand the thing about feeling overwhelmed. When I am really stressed it’s easy to just want to walk away from it. It can be daunting. I keep lists and I usually have “musts” and “maybes” each day. That helps a lot.
I also understand the fear of failure. I will tell you this though…. living dreams or making brave career goals is a lifestyle & a habit. It becomes much easier and more natural the more you practice. At first it can be difficult, but eventually you won’t really think about failure anymore. I fail at things all the time. It’s part of life. It’s a form of balance and it keeps me humble. I can appreciate a good dose of failure now and then.Plus… you can’t live a dream without risk! It’s so worth it!!!
Haha… and thank you for the “workaholic” comment. It’s a trait that I’ve learned to develop instead of deny.It’s not a bad thing as long as other things are also in place! XO.”
I took this class many months ago, cannot remember what it was on, but this response I held on to. Elsie continues to inspire me to create goals and keep going. My default is to pile on so much work that I never get anything done because where in the world do you actually start? So her “must” and “maybe” list ideas help me a lot.
I often get asked how I do as much as I do and I don’t feel I am nearly as productive as Elsie, but the only answer I have is to start somewhere and to keep working. Working for yourself requires a lot of self-motivation, you have to create your own deadlines and importance in reaching them.
Another thing that is hard for me to realize when being “self-employed” is that you have to work 100% harder than you ever will at a job working for someone else. I’m not saying that I’ve never worked hard at a job, or that people aren’t putting in many hours a week, but when you work for yourself, there isn’t a clock in or clock out. You can’t just leave at the end of the day. In fact, if you love your work, it’s always on your mind.
So with that said, I wanted to share my to-do list. Some things are incredibly small, while others may be vague. Here I will navigate my process for working my way through it in a must/maybe style.
- Update both blogs (must)
- Deposit check in the bank (must)
- Go to the gym (must)
- Add clear photos to hotel directory, change phone numbers (must)
- Add new shopping guide sections to hotel guest directory (must)
- Take trash and recycling to dumpster (must)
- Dry and put clothes away (all clothes away! (maybe)
- Clear off dining room table (maybe)
- Work on graphic design section of new website (maybe)
- Update Bio on demand studios (must)
- Write DS article (must)
- Email friends about nyc trip- schedule get-together (maybe)
- Pack for saturday camping trip, buy food for trip (maybe)
- Work on outfits for blogher (yes, I do this!) (maybe)
- Inquire about office signs (must)
- Create tabletop display for WR, find new printer (deadline aug. 12th) (must)
- photograph jewelry on white background (maybe)
- update etsy shop, blogs, twitter and facebook with new jewelry (maybe)
- Change last name on credit card from feen to fenn (maybe)
- Update driver’s license address (maybe)
- Send birthday gift to mom (happy birthday mom!) (must)
- Update September calendar with Artisan market dates, craft fairs, trips etc. (maybe)
- Sign up for food handlers license class (maybe)
- Finish blog header design for Heather (maybe)
- Order jewelry supplies (must)
- Work on new line of fall 2010 jewelry and accessories (maybe)
- Update jewelry table display (maybe)
- Clear off back deck (must)
- Clean out car (maybe)
- Clean out refrigerator (maybe)
- Prepare and photograph foods for catering website (maybe)
- Sign up for October and November craft shows (send application and fee’s) (maybe)
- Update profit loss for Oliver and personal finances (maybe)
- Work on August Budget and projected income sheets (maybe)
- finish organizing studio, donate unused excess (maybe)
- organize clothes, list anything unused on blog for sale (reader suggested) (maybe)
- make secret gift shirt (maybe)
- work on september birthday gift ideas (maybe)
- work on personal binders (maybe)
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