So much has been written in career columns about how to survive as a freelancer, that it's daunting to offer any new insight. How to stay positive amidst the slow periods? How to get things done when you're your own boss? How to say "no" to friends and family who think you're home on vacation?
While advice on these topics is valuable for
the freelance artist, anyone who finds it a challenge to work independently at
home will appreciate these SEVEN simple points as essential to your health and
well-being.
1)
Get 8 hours sleep.
In my twenties, I would deprive myself of
sleep, thinking that I could accomplish more creative artwork if I could sleep
less. Twenty-plus years later, this same behavior will threaten to kill me.
Caffeine, Ginseng and 5 Hour Energy Drinks are no substitute for what your body
needs. With 8 hours sleep, I'm
less cranky and more able to deal with adversity than when I burn the candle at
both ends. Sure, I still pull the occasional all-nighter when needed. But
having a full 8 hours sleep is the key to a productive day. For creative night
owls like me, this reality was a hard one to accept. Listen to your body when
it craves rest. You will enjoy the stamina you get in return.
2)
Write it down and get it done.
I keep a "to do" list of things I
must do every day, and star each in order of priority. In this manner I can
balance my day and quickly recollect what I need to accomplish to stay on the
success path. Write down your dreams, your goals, your plans. Make a separate
list for today's goals, short term goals and another for long term goals. You
are more likely to reach them once you can verbalize them and put a deadline to
them.
3)
What do you listen to while you work?
When I'm cranking out frame after frame of
storyboards for my latest commercial spot, I've got to determine what
background noise will make me most productive. Music sites like Pandora,
iTunes, podcasts, audio books
(LibriVox has public domain audio books that you can download for free), or my
CD collection all provide choices to complement my mood. TV show reruns, movies
on Netflix or DVDs like Family Guy, Star Trek or Columbo are great for those
late night deadlines. It's key that you've seen the program previously, so you
aren't compelled to watch while working. Directors commentaries add an
informative listening experience that will entertain you while conditioning you
to embrace your workload.
Listening effects your work speed and
concentration levels. Know what makes you productive and what slows you down. What
you listen to is as important as when you listen to it. Although I love
BBC World News, I can feel myself shifting to slow gear after an hour or two.
In this case, I'll change my state of mind and my physiology by jacking up some
Blondie or B-52's. In some cases,
silence may be all you need. "Know thyself" and you will feed the
artist within.
4)
Break regularly.
I've learned that working long hours builds
stamina and promotes artistic break-throughs. But sitting too long in one position isn't good. Experts say
a break every 25 minutes or so maximizes your focus. Get up and grab some
coffee, take out the trash, empty the dishwasher… just step away for five
minutes. If you don't, your neck, back, and hands will notice. Try hitting a
deadline with a stiff neck, achy back, or cramped fingers…it ain't fun. Healthy
habits will avoid that problem. No
matter how euphoric you may feel while painting your latest masterpiece, take
breaks often. When you return to your desk you'll evaluate your progress with
more objectivity.
5)
Drink water.
Sounds boring doesn't it? That's because it is,
at least for me. The only time I crave water is when I am parched with thirst.
If that is your experience, your body is crying out for hydration. We all know
muscle cramps can result from insufficient water intake, and who needs aching
hamstrings when on deadline? If water doesn't tempt your palette, try adding a squeeze
of lemon to each glass. It stimulates your metabolism and adds some flavor to
natures' universal solvent.
In love with your favorite coffee blend? No
worries. I love coffee and can drink it all day, and I would, too, if
Chock-Full-O-Nuts wasn't so Chock-Full-O-Bad Breath. After one or two cups,
wash those coffee beans down with a big glass of water. You'll feel a bit
cleaner and healthier inside.
6)
Exercise!
If you're anything like me, you let the
exercise slip all too often. Jog, lift weights, jump rope like Rocky, shoot
hoops, play Frisbee, rollerblade - whatever floats your boat. Stay active and
hydrate. After a morning run or hike, I feel energized and focused for a day in
the studio. And that habit from #5 is a heck of a lot easier to enforce, as
your body craves water after fitness. If jogging is your latest thing, here's a
tip: The app "Map My Run" is a free download for your mobile device
that will help you track and measure your progress. You can share your results
with other runners in real-time, which makes it more fun to exercise.
7) Motivate yourself.
How do you keep plugging away when you have an
onslaught of storyboards to finish by midnight? Can't get through that dull
bookkeeping or the next round of phone calls?
Whatever your task, find motivators to get you
through each phase. Maybe 5 minutes of your favorite movie trailers, an
after-lunch frappuccino, or a bite of that dark chocolate you hid in the
freezer for special occasions may serve as a small motivator. The smaller and less
frequent the reward, the more relevant it will be as an instant motivator.
It's important not to use motivators
continually or they will lose their effectiveness.
Dolphin trainers in parks like Sea World reward
their mammals with a fish snack after every few tricks they perform. The
dolphins don't know when their reward is coming, but the possibility of getting
a snack any minute for their hard work keeps them motivated. This technique may
be controversial, but it shows that the principle of random rewards is
effective at bolstering peak performance. As a result, you are building good
habits and experiencing a gratifying feeling of accomplishment.
8)
Socialize
I know, I promised SEVEN habits, but hopefully
you aren't counting… .
Make it a habit to reach out to an old friend,
acquaintance or family member on a regular basis. A five minute phone call to
say "hello" helps reassure you that you are not alone in the world.
Schedule a short lunch with a friend or colleague during the workday, or meet
for a coffee break.
I have a daily ritual where I call one of my
best friends who I've known since
fifth grade. We were clowns then and we are still clowns now. Although we have
plenty of serious business and personal matters to discuss, every phone call is
punctuated with seemingly pointless joking and humor. The light-hearted vibe
that ensues reminds us that humor is present in almost any situation.
Old friends are like throwing on old pair of
jeans, sneakers and a tee shirt. One always feels comfortable with them. If you
haven't caught up with an old friend recently, make some time for it. Your soul
needs it, your friendships will flourish, and your effectiveness at work will
strengthen.
If these habits sound familiar, good for
you. If not, I hope you will find
success with just ONE of them.
Ultimately, good habits mixed with talent and perseverance will lead
to your freelance longevity and lasting career rewards. Good luck, and get
busy!
