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Its time for question of the week #4! I’m going to post a short little audio clip asking you a question. Feel free to chime in and let me know what you think! I’d love to get a discussion going on in the comments!
This weeks question:
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Justin Leaf-Wright says:
Hi Niki.
Balance? There is none…My work RULES my life, as I get reminded of this everyday from family and friends.
May 22nd, 2009 at 7:21 am
Suzanna LaCroix says:
Balance is tough. By nature, many creatives are passionate and can boarder on obsessive.
Stepping away from the computer is the best balance I can think of, allowing room for other areas of life to catch my attention. I’m trying to also recognize when I’m headed for burn-out, and take some time out for me and non-design related activities before I short-circuit.
May 22nd, 2009 at 7:45 am
GreenStar says:
I’m 100% freelance and I have no balance
I either work too hard or don’t work at all. I’m working on the balancing act 
I realized the first time I took a week or two off and did nothing that, well, that doesn’t work 
So I generally work as much as I need to (1-2 hours a day doing email coorespondance and 3-4 hours coding/designing, depending on what jobs are open – if there’s more work to be done, I work more).
I try to keep 8-10 hours at most though so I can have SOME free time. I also do a lot of workout stuff earlier in the day so that takes time out of my day as well. I try to get a good 3-4 hours a day in with my girlfriend though (we live together) this way my personal life stays solid. It is hard though. I love my job
May 22nd, 2009 at 7:46 am
Patrick says:
I am a big pencil and paper person. I require list for every aspect of my life. Personal. Business. Home. They all have their place. Just recently I started doing todoodlist which I am experimenting with. So far they seem to be working well however they need to tweaking. I think most people can benefit from getting everything out of their head and onto paper.
May 22nd, 2009 at 7:49 am
Brandon Cox says:
I read a great book once by H. Dale Burke. It was about leadership and was called “how to lead and still have a life.” One point that has worked great for me, when I’ve applied it, is to divide my time into blocks. You can’t get everything done if you’re bouncing from little thing to little thing with no order. Instead, set aside an hour or two for email/discussions. Stay on a project for 3 solid hours, then take a break, etc. It might require closing email and IM apps or leaving the cell phone at home while out for dinner and shopping with the family, etc.
May 22nd, 2009 at 7:49 am
Steph Adamo says:
I don’t do freelance, because i like to be done with work at 5:00 every day and then be able to do whatever the heck i want. I may be a designer, but i refuse to stare at the computer more than eight hours a day.
May 22nd, 2009 at 9:02 am
Chris Coyier says:
5% Freelance
60% Day job
35% My Projects
It’s a nice balance for me. Gotta give first priority to the steady income. Then I try to stay away from direct freelance because that’s too much like work and I find it stressful. So most of the freetime is blogging and my own projects.
May 22nd, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Benjamin Reid says:
I currently work full time (9 to 5) and started to a lot more freelancing than I’m normally used to. I have to say that it can get a bit hectic and some times a little too much but I think or I’ve hopefully I’ve struck the right balance.
I definitely think apps on my Mac like ‘The Hit List’ help me stay organised and on top of things and make sure I note just about everything down in my digital calendars. There’s always lots of information being chucked around and different things to remember so I use a free service called Evernote to do that.
At the moment it’s trying to balance freelance / work / the girlfriend / family / socialising / band and chilling out. It seems so much when I spell it out, haha.
May 23rd, 2009 at 8:32 am
Brian Klepper says:
Balance is no where to be seen with my schedule:) I am 100% freelance and work at least 12 hours a day and can’t imagine anything else. If my girlfriend wasn’t here I think I would die by computer.
I try and stay active during the weekend but as soon as Monday rolls around it’s go time with clients, projects and email.. I am understanding more and more how important balance is and have a way to go before I am a Zen master
May 23rd, 2009 at 1:25 pm
ArtDeal says:
I am newbie to being 100% freelance, even thought I am looking for a steady gig. I have found balancing work and play hard, but it’s getting easier. I found that making plans that doesn’t required to me to be around a computer is the best way to ensure I that have a true relaxing time.
May 24th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
liloo says:
whit the year i have managed to have more balance… but is still a little a big job.. for my fortune y have my two good friends and co-workers who help me whit taht.. we even use a task manager… temness (https://my.teamness.com)
that thing have helped a lot .. but we need mor organization still…
in the oter hand when i go home my husband and i always have something to do….
May 26th, 2009 at 3:07 pm