F**k stress
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- dragonfruit0
had the same problem. started making music.
- mantrakid0
Yeah that was a typo I meant to say I never use hard dates. "2 weeks to do the work" is only "2 weeks from today" if the client gives me everything I need and there are no surprises.
All you have to do is be open and honest every single step of the way and most clients actually appreciate being in the loop. Client always introduce new variables based on the fact that they talk / think about the project after dropping it in your hands. You should never be afraid to tell the that what they are asking for was outside of the original concept and will require more time or more work.
Also if they ask you for a quote and you say 2 weeks to do the work, yo can also say your "start date" is dependent on what you currently have in your production schedule. Clients seem to think that you just sit on ur ass waiting for work sometimes. Make sure they know ur busy, and set a precedent by saying so. They can't do shit if u tell them there's no way you can get to their project for another 2 weeks. Tey can find someone else, but then there you go... Now you dnt have the issue anymore. If they insist, then you explain that to get their job done sooner, you're basically putting a delay on a loyal clients project and so now you have to charge a premium to cover the friction it causes to your ore client relationship.
It's all just business. Take the emotion out of it and it becomes simple stress free decisions and the bottom line is you are looking out for YOU all the time. It sounds selfish, but the end result is you are not stressed and can put more effort and time into the work you do for your clients. And your clients will recognize it and respect you for it.
- All of this was learned the hard way. It's been many long years freelancing but I truly feel happy with my work sitch these days.mantrakid
- until you take work from a friend or family member...monospaced
- formed0
Deadlines - I agree with most of what mantrakid says above, BUT I will never, ever put a specific date in a contract. Too many things can go wrong and that could be used as a reason not to pay (or worse).
For my company, many clients are dealing with $100's of millions in projects, so missing a deadline can cost them substantially. If they were to try and sue for damages, that could get really ugly.
That said, I do make it clear that we have never, ever missed a deadline.
Just be careful, you not only have to look out for your own mind, you have to protect yourself too.
- mantrakid0
When quoting on work, I do my best to say I can have it done by an exact date. I say I need 2 weeks to do my thing (and always at least double it) so if i can get it done in 1 week, I say 2 weeks. If it'll take me a day I say I'll need 2-3 days. An hour, I'll have it to you tomorrow.
Now when the client says they need it by December 10th, and I already said I need a week to do the work, i make sure they are 100% crystal clear on the fact that if they don't have everything to me by December 3rd, there's no way im hitting their deadline unless they're paying a premium / rush fee.
Likewise with revisions / approvals. If you send something and they need it for friday but you dont hear from them for 4 days after you send it and they hit you up thursday with a shitload of changes, you have a right to say that its unreasonable, and requires a premium / rush fee for that work.
You can only go so far pleasing them... youre no good to anyone dead / crazy.
- yessirdoesnotexist
- actually re-reading i meant to say I do my best to NOT say I can have it done by an exact date.mantrakid
- Nowhere near enough project managers stand up for their designers when it comes to deadlines. Most of them are pussies.Retro
- are pussies and the designers end up working their asses off.Retro
- Retro is rightmonospaced
- 74LEO0
Do you freelance, work for a company?
Depends on type of co. you work for. got a gym at work? Do yoga, meditation gym tred mill etc. The fastest way to remain calm stress free is to exacerbate the body, strengthen the heart, also if you want to stay in the GD business eat right, don't drink too much, smoke too much etc and don't forget what matters most to you outside your career.Save your moneys and design a t shirt on cafepress.
- cannonball19780
Care less. Remember that it's all just a big game. Like all games there are more important things to do, and people will throw tantrums when you don't want to play anymore. You aren't the only person with the skills, and they aren't the only one with money.
- formed0
To the deadlines and extensions....that's just human nature. Everyone wants things done tomorrow, most don't have anything but some vague idea in mind when they make deadlines.
My standard line for short deadlines is:
#1 when will the final/approved information be available?
#2 is this a hard deadline (you'd be surprised at how many "deadlines" are just something someone would "like", but have no really meaning...which usually means the scenario above - race to Thursday, the on Th get a notes for revisions that must be due by Monday, like taht is some great break for you to have a few more days and a weekend to work on it!)
#3 - short deadlines limit communication time and feedback - what you get at the end you must accept "as is"
#4 - changes past the deadline constitute additional fees (unless otherwise specified - we'll do something less detailed for a deadline, then finish after, BUT it must be clear)
#5 - Get paid up to 90% (depending on the size/budget, small I just go 50/50, larger 30/30/30/10) before delivery the final (start with 50% down, etc.). That way, if they are too much of a pain you don't have to stress about the money and know that you both can walk way and you'll still be ok. This is HUGE.Don't burn bridges - unlike some above, I never, ever, tell someone off. I'll add fees if think there's a pain in the ass coming or headaches. Overall, it all averages out. There are good clients and bad clients. Money is money, business is business. Some of the most difficult clients recommended me to others and brought in tons of money, etc., etc. Business is business.
If you want your own business, figure out a balance everything. Find people that offer the talent you want so you can manage them (I used to think I would not like giving up the "doing", but I like the creative direction much more, and you make much more money with significantly less stress).
- maquito0
I run & cook.
- elahon0
- I know where I'd like to be positioned.Horp
- That looks like where I wanna be.SunSunSun
- That looks difficult to do.CygnusZero4
- This is easy to appreciate and her legs form a V for victory which eases stress.CyBrainX
- Horp0
^ That there was the defining motif of self employment for me and it drove me very close to insanity through the sheer consistency of it...
I would get an enquiry about a job in August. A book cover. It would go nowhere. I would get an enquiry in September. A record Sleeve. It would go nowehere. I would get an enquiry in October. An ad illustration. It would go nowhere. I would get an enquiry in December. A magazine illustration. It would go nowehere.
With nothing coming in, I'd eventually decide to take a day off, and I'd arrange something. Maybe a day out with my family. We'd all be ready and excited. That evening, without fucking fail, every single fucking time. I'd get an email from the publisher. Its going ahead. Its needed by Thursday. An email from the record label. Sleeve art going ahead. needed Thursday. An email from ad agency. Artwork going ahead. needed Thursday. An email from the magazine. Illo needed, deadline Thursday.
These emails would all be in caps. All headlined URGENT, and would all claim the deadline was Thursday. Honestly, it tested my sanity that it could always happen like that but it always did and it nearly drove my whole family to the nut house. Every time, without fail.
That wasn't the end of the insane coincidences though, because somehow I'd work like a dog to meet all the Thursday deadlines, and then on the Friday, I'd get a load of revision through due to the rushed nature of doing it, and they'd all say 'Need these revisions by Monday morning 9am'.
There would always be up to a month's additional amednments time mysteriously available after the urgent deadline.
Told a LOT of people to fuck off over those years. Got poor, but it felt good.
- This seems to be a big problem in the industry. I just wonder what the best way to deal with it is.Chimp
- I used to become convinced they were all conspiring against me, it was so uncanny, it was the only rational explanation.Horp
- This is EXACTLY what I'm dealing with constantly!SunSunSun
- Its not your fault. Don't let it drive you mad. Learn to say no. They always have more time, always. Make them use it.Horp
- SunSunSun0
Guys, thanks for all the supportive tips. All really helpful stuff.
I'm just going to be careful in the future about saying yes to stuff when they don't have exact dates and leave plenty of room around it.
Everything came in at once at the end of the year when I've been waiting around for months for them to get their shit together.
- trooperbill0
"Is there a way to deal with long hour days and tight deadlines and still somehow enjoy life?"
ah that would be better project management, working to live not living to work and better client communication.
- monNom0
^ getting good sleep is a huge one actually, keeping to a bed-time and getting at least 8 hours uninterrupted/unmedicated makes a big difference in keeping stress levels down everywhere in your life. Having a life outside of work and boundaries so you can leave your work 'at the office' and not be thinking about it constantly (so you actually can sleep), is critical.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol in the evening, as these can do a number on your restfullness.
- studderine0
I had the same issue for a while. I can't say that I did anything special take care of it beside sleep therapy. The work would swirl around in my head to the point that I couldn't sleep; took me a bit to get back on normal schedule. You really have to look at yourself and understand what is causing the problem. For me it was a combination of too much work and allowing the work to pile on. I had a hard time saying no because of my own internal expectations and it literally drove me insane.
- monNom0
Learn to say no.
Rule of thumb, if they are:
- in a hurry
- disinterested in the project ("I don't know/care, make it up and we'll decide later")
- looking for a cut-rate.They're going to cause you considerable stress.
- a huge red flag for me is people who need it now, but don't really know what IT is... and want it cheap! you're right....vaxorcist
- formed0
Managing expectations is a big part of things. I make my clients acknowledge that what they get is "as is" and "to the best of our abilities" if the time frame is short. This avoids the race to a deadline, then coming back with corrections after their presentation/meeting.
Hobbies - personally, I embraced photography and love it. I get the creative freedom, the accolades, etc., without anyone else demanding anything. BUT I completely disagree that you shouldn't look for ways to be profitable. I do believe that the best scenario is to be paid to do things you love, so why shouldn't you look for angles to make a few bucks? Doesn't have to be a career, might not pan out (I am not shooting families or seniors, so probably won't be a career changer), but who cares if you are having fun.
Passion - see above. Keep that alive. Realize that the hard work is also there to enable your uninhibited passion to flow, to give you life, to give you money to buy things (like my new D800 that I can' really justify, certainly not the case full of lenses!), to have fun with your creativity.
SAVE - if you are making money, save, there will be a rainy day. All about a balanced approach to life, business and living