Working as a solo designer has its perks but also unpredictable breaks. As you may know I run a small design studio in Washington DC. I hit the 5 year mark this last March and that’s exciting. Along with it comes hard work finding the projects and promoting the work through social media and email newsletters.
I’m thankful for the opportunities clients bring—and sometime they come all at once. But there are times in which things calm down and I can take a break. That’s the best time to review the work done and create content that not only helps me remain connected to my clients but also engage with potential new ones. That’s a time in which I write and update my website with case studies and projects, or repackage some branding tips to share with followers.
But those short breaks are perfect to spend more time with my family or going on a trip as well. Running my own design business provides me with the flexibility to manage and schedule projects based on my own calendar and availability. And that’s the whole point of being your own boss!
As I use those breaks to polish up my business I also use it for traveling, which is a key component in our family life. It is through traveling where I get to see and experience different worlds and how other people do things. As a designer, having that kind of experiences, brings in inspiration and new ideas that help me remain relevant.
This first half of the year I was fortunate to visit Madison, VA; Charleston, SC; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Jacksonville, FL; and the Highlands in Scotland! All while working on my business and design projects. It isn’t easy though. It does require some advance planning and remain digitally connected in a healthy way. I do not set up office auto-replies as I keep my eyes opened for new business opportunities but I do plan the times of the day in which I will connect to email or social networks to interact with followers.
Not so long ago I learned about the actual meaning of “abundance.” Abundance in time, abundance in family time, abundance in meaningful design projects, and abundance in free time to do what you love. It feels like a luxury word these days but with a bit of planning, abundance comes from a place of being calm rather than eager, and staying in the moment rather than in the unknown. In my world, doing one thing at a time brings abundance in both business and personal life.
Wall in Sayulita, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Atlantic Beach in Jacksonville, Fl
Someone’s door knob in the Isle of Skye, by Loch Bay, the Highlands, Scotland