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sometimes i wonder how i can best use this little blog. it's become harder and harder to update as blogging becomes a bigger, more powerful and elaborate beast. as people keep saying, the blog world has changed over the last couple of years. it's not just about sharing inspiration photos anymore. inspiration is EVERYWHERE. in fact, i think that's half the battle. we're so high on inspiration all the time that we don't quite know how to put it into action. we're overwhelmed with ideas and don't know how to act on them. so instead of offering more inspiration on this monday that has me particularly stressed for the coming week, i thought that i'd spend each monday morning moving forward giving you a little update on what i've learned about my own little business as of late.
sometimes i wonder how i can best use this little blog. it's become harder and harder to update as blogging becomes a bigger, more powerful and elaborate beast. as people keep saying, the blog world has changed over the last couple of years. it's not just about sharing inspiration photos anymore. inspiration is EVERYWHERE. in fact, i think that's half the battle. we're so high on inspiration all the time that we don't quite know how to put it into action. we're overwhelmed with ideas and don't know how to act on them. so instead of offering more inspiration on this monday that has me particularly stressed for the coming week, i thought that i'd spend each monday morning moving forward giving you a little update on what i've learned about my own little business as of late.
i think one of the biggest lessons that a new entrepreneur has to learn is how to manage expectations. both of his/herself, of his/her peers, of clients, etc.
when you start a new project, especially when you're just starting out, it's SO EXCITING. you have SO MANY IDEAS. you think you have SO MUCH TIME. you imagine everything BIGGER AND BETTER. and then little by little, reality can set in just a little bit. you're spending tons of time on one project and not able to devote enough to others, your vision differs from a clients or your peers, the constraints of the deadlines and budgets begin to weigh on you...you get the picture. it's not all fresh flowers and fabric swatches. it's a lot of work.
it is so important from the get go to enter a project with enthusiasm and high expectations for the outcome, but to not let that overshadow the less glamorous, but very important items like contracts, budgets, timelines, communication strategies, etc. taking the time to sit down and detail your expectations for each of these components of the project not only gives you and your client piece of mind, but it also allows you to focus more time on the fun stuff - the part that you're good at!
are there any other freelancers or business owners out there who have had to learn this lesson? do tell!
hello. one of the reasons that i follow your blog is because it's very real. it's endearing to watch as you go through some very honest struggles. you're right - there's a ton of inspiration out there. i'm not a designer, but i have access to it all the time. pinterest is exploding. but, there aren't so many interesting voices anymore. everyone's doing very similar (and beautiful) things and using the words "swoon" and "loooove" way too often. i don't work in your industry, but i think holding on to a voice that is honest, strong and credible will carry you through the fun stuff and the more serious stuff.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. I left my stable job 2 months ago to start my own interior design business and it's been such an eye-opening yet rewarding experience. There is so much to be done at the beginning that has NOTHING to do with design yet are vital to the business. I find it's also empowering building something from the ground up that make all those hours doing the grunt work so worth it! Thanks for keeping it real!
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