As a young designer, you start to learn quickly what your limits are and how those limits are quickly reached. Over time you get a better understanding of how to manage your time and how to keep yourself from exploding from being over worked. I think it’s completely natural to want to take on ALL the projects that come your way and I’m not sure you fully understand your limits until you’ve been pushed to them, over and over again.
After 3.5 years work experience since graduating design school, I feel I am JUST now getting a good grip on this concept of being over-worked and the idea that I have limits. With the experience that I’ve gained in those 3.5 years, I can now say that I can spot the warning signs of being over worked. I can (for the most part), tell people NO…even though the project will most likely be awesome. I’ve also learned that I don’t have to take on all the projects that come through my email. I’ve learned that both myself and my clients benefit from me only taking on projects I’m extremely passionate about. I’ve learned that it’s not about the money for me. I’ve learned that my nights and weekend are for me and my family….all things I didn’t really understand until just now.
Are you struggling because you continually over commit yourself to your work? If so…STOP…haha. I know. Easier said than done. Experiment with passing up some jobs, taking the evenings for yourself, and working only when passionate. I’d love to hear about how you guys have worked through this idea of “over-working”.
Here’s another great post about the glorificaton of “busy”. Thanks Eva.
Above photo: Annaleena Leino