To be a Web Designer or to be Happy.

• June 16, 2011
Steph

Miami Web Design Pro has a couple of designers, and trust us, we know how stressful it can get. Our jobs are a love/hate relationship, we love what we do, but we hate how stressful it can get. So why don’t we just go through a run down on some tips on living a happier life with the perfect job?

If you want to keep up with the busy demands of this job – clients, branding, networking, updating our skills, you’re going to have stop working smarter, instead of faster, because if not you’re going to die of exhaustion. Here some five tips that veteran web designers told us helped make them more at ease.

Be organized.
All designers do it, they read the books or the manuals, but never get around to actually becoming organized or more productive. That usually happens because becoming organized requires time and effort, things we don’t have; but that’s a big problem because chaos can occur when there is no organization. We’re not telling you that you have to stick to one method, and only one method, but if you have your mind set on what you want to do stick to it, and don’t let fall by the wayside. Make a promise to yourself and keep it.
For example if new things need to be done, accomplish what you originally needed to do first, because distractions come in all shapes and sizes. Speaking of distractions, it’s time you remove them.

Remove the Distractions
As web designers we are usually bombarded with work, as well as distractions. Especially those little culprits called Facebook, Twitter and Youtube. The way we cut out distractions is by turning off all automatic notifications that constantly pop up. I check those during the breaks I take throughout the day.

You may think that that’s something so miniscule that it won’t work, but it just doesn’t interrupt the flow of my work. So if you can remove whatever can interrupt your focus, you’ll be more productive, be it removing notifications, or not texting during work.

OH! And don’t be fooled by your e-mail, you may feel like your being productive by checking it but it comes with so many massive requests that you’ll just get distracted. Cut down on how many times you check your e-mail a day. If you’re scared of missing an important e-mail form an important client you can gibe that specific person an alarm or alert, if it really is that necessary. And when you do check your e-mail make sure you attend to it correctly, do not leave it for later.

Know how you work, and realize that you are not Superman.
As much as we would all love to work non-stop all day, because we could get SO much done that way we need to realize that is not how the human body works. We all have specific rhythms that dictate how we work. Some of how are morning people, some of our night owls. It all depends. You also need to acknowledge the fact that you need breaks, instead of making yourself to continue to work and getting distracted and becoming less productive because you are not focused.

For example I work on 25-minute sprints, where all I do is work and nothing else, and then take a 5-minute break to relax and revamp. Or you can organize tasks based on the mood that you are, or the amount of energy that you have. Save the ones that require the most work with you have the most energy.

Also, instead of falling into the temptation of energy drinks, why don’t you try a quick power nap? Studies show that we work best after lunch when your energy reserves are at their lowest. Or you can try exercising for 5 minutes to get your adrenaline rushing and blood pumping.

But no matter how organize and focused we are there are always tasks we hate to work on. Be it because we are just not interested in them or because we are not good at completing them. So why don’t you try outsourcing?

Outsourcing – your knight in shining armor
Yes, we know the thoughts that come up when you a web designer hear the words “outsourcing” – money signs; but have you ever sat down and actually thought about it? You can actually raise your price to your customers and avoid having your energy sucked out by the tasks you hate doing. And while the person you outsourced is working on what you were originally supposed to do, you can be more productive and work on something for another client. Win win!

Reuse. Renew. Recycle.
It’s a simple thought – think about recycling your work and just spinning what you originally had. You can use similar ideas, colors or concepts. There really is no need to reinvent the wheel. If an idea is great it will be great again. You will be more productive, as well as efficient.

And with hat we end our lovely little post, and before you dismiss this as just another self-help article sit down and think about it: do you really want to continue down this stressful and exhausting path? Take a moment and think about the way your life is heading, you may want to consider some of these tips.

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