TOPIC: How do you set realistic goals for yourself and realistic schedules for your clients?
Observations:
A big issue is scheduling personal projects; client projects have deadlines, which makes them easier to schedule--and when client projects come in, they always trump personal work
Loss of momentum can be a killer---it's hard to jump back into the game
Switching gears takes time--it's difficult to pick up work for just an hour or two if you know you're going to be interrupted
On the other hand, you can lose huge chunks of time to the artistic "zone"--that alternate reality that causes you to have to re-engage with real life
If the deadline is off in the future, you tend to work more slowly; closer deadlines mean more productive work
Many need to "schedule" hobbies, exercise; try five-minute exercise breaks while working
It's hard to visulaize how long a project will actually take to complete
It's easy to find yourself working too hard and accomplishing too little
If your life is out of control, it's hard to draw sweet, happy characters
It can be easier to streamline the mundane tasks (errands, housework) than to try to streamline your illustration process
It's particularly hard to balance two creative pursuits: iluustrating and writing, for instance--you seem to be pulled one direction or the other
Tips:
If multi-tasking is required, try to designate chunks of time to each project; assign different projects different days; or make sure projects have different deadlines, especially in concept phase
Learn to say "no"--to clients and to unrealistic deadlines
Make lists and stick to them
Remind yourself that you actually enjoy drawing (!)
Ask clients for budget and timeframe up front, then include in contract
Try to be happy with what you did today, rather than worrying about all you didn't get done
Break big goals into smaller ones
Rid yourself of "easy distractions"--like iPod games
Links:
Article in The New Yorker on procrastination
Video with fun advice about tackling the most onerous jobs first
Basecamp project management software
Tweet of the night:
@alistaps: "Realistic goals - I meditate and journal lots to make sure I'm tapped into my heart's agenda.. my brain gets too tyrannical ;)"
Full transcript below:
#kidlitart 10-14-10
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