Freelance Week 05

This past week was pretty normal. Head down. Getting work done. Managed to get some work done around the house as well. There is something satisfying deep down in my soul when I do something manly around the house. I can make things on my computer all day long, but when it comes to using my hands to fix/install something that's when I feel really proud of my labor. On a side note, I am starting to sense the nerves rising up as I prepare for filing my taxes this year. This will be the first time filing as a full-time freelancer. I guess I'm trying to prepare for the worst. But honestly it's easy for me to get totally overwhelmed by all of it.

So here's to a new week filled with new opportunities to create. I remain thankful for the chance to do what I love for a living. I don't want to take this lightly. I feel a greater sense of purpose now that I am cutting my own path in life. Not just for the right now, but for the future, however uncertain it may be.

Freelance Week 04

Climbing back in the saddle this past week after 5 days in San Francisco was really rewarding. Here are a few things I learned over the past week. 1. Stop trying to over-prepare and leave room for some impromptu living

2. Don't be underprepared either, a plan of action is better than no plan at all

3. Anything over 3 days is too long to be away from my family

4. Going back to the drawing board is never a bad thing, it helps you refine your original idea and make it better.

5. Face-to-face time is better than FaceTime

After getting in late Wednesday night, I enjoyed some quiet time with my wife. Trying to hold on to those last few moments of peace and quiet. The next two days were filled with non-stop excitement. From getting to do two new murals up at Union Bear, to speaking at the new Circle Meetup.

I'm finding my schedule is consistently busy now that I'm working for myself. It's not even the "business" side of things I feel that are keeping me busy, but the opportunities to go and do great things outside of my day-to-day routine. I'm not complaining, just learning how to better manage my time so I can do all the things I love to do.

I hope this last week was a good one for you. Let's focus on making this week ahead even better though. We can only live one day at a time. That's where I want to want, the here and now, not the "remember when" and the "what if". Stay creative.

Moment of Clarity

I want to stop the bull and just be real for a moment, for a week, for the rest of my life. I feel like moments of clarity are far and few between. There is a hole so deep in this world that no amount of consumption can fill. We are all only ever human. Yes, I put my pants on one leg at a time just like you do. The pedestals we put people on in the design community are like the tide of the ocean. As sure as they rise, they will fall. Having expectations is not a bad thing, but don't be surprised if reality doesn't live up to them. Get over yourself. Treat others like you wish to be treated. Make time to step away from your work and spend time with your family. Money, like friends, will come and go. So be wise where you choose to invest. Okay, that's all I got.

Freelance Week 03

I can't believe it's only been three weeks since I started this journey. Feels like a lot longer if I'm being honest. I feel like I'm still in a mental transition period. To the point where at the end of the day I'll think to myself, "Oh man, I gotta go to work tomorrow." Only to remind myself seconds later that I work for myself now, and that I'm doing what I love. But that stress of going in to the office has been so ingrained in me. I wonder if anyone else has felt this before? Surely I'm not the only one.

This past week brought about a different change of pace for me. Monday and Tuesday were dedicated to wrapping up client work and Wednesday and Thursday were spent preparing for my trip out here to San Francisco. Here are some of the things that have happened since I've been in SF:

1. Due to last minute change of plans, I needed a place to stay in SF. I frantically sent out Direct Messages to friends who lived in the area the day before I flew out. Then a friend put me in touch with this couple who lives in the city, and VOILA! a connection was made. I had never met these fine folks, although we run in the same circles, but they were totally open and willing to let me stay with them. Talk about being awesome. Much love to @kvnsmth and @emilysmith for letting me crash on their floor.

2. Putting a face to a name is one of my favorite things to do. I had the great pleasure of meeting and spending time with so many great people the past few days. My instafriend @mo_neal and I got to spend quality time snapping photos as he showed me around this beautiful city on Saturday. On Sunday, my friends @jimjones and @samanthatoy gave me a great tour of the Mission and the outer Sunset area of town. I'm still stoked on the burrito I got at Taqueria Cancún. Also, got to catch up with my good buddies @jbrewer and @samsoffes.

I still have three more days here in San Francisco. I'm looking forward to making some new connections and catching up with old friends. The city is alive with people and I want to make the most of my time here. I'm thankful I have the opportunity to do what I love for a living. This trip is encouraging me to continue to pursue my dreams. Until next time, stay creative.

Freelance Week 02

Here are a few things I learned this week:

1. Asking how I can serve is just as important as asking how I can succeed

2. Show people what you're proud of, save the rest to remind you where you came from

3. 99% of Instagram comments are just fluff

This week I've seen a huge increase in work requests. It's such a blessing to be only two weeks in to working for myself full-time and already have more folks wanting to work with me than I have time for. Now, it's all about time management and keeping a close eye on my schedule. Where would I be without calendar reminders?

Have you ever had a conversation before where you verbalize something you'd only ever felt and then it becomes more clear after you say it? Well I had two conversations like that this past week. One was with a good friend who just graduated from school. Like any good designer starting out he wants to showcase his best work, but at the same time is conflicted by all this other work in his portfolio. I bet you can remember that time in your own journey, I know I do. My advice was simply this, only showcase work you want to get in return. Meaning, if you want to do illustration work then your portfolio better showcase your drawing skills, and if you want to focus on print design then you should probably have some examples of prints you made.

One last thing, if the environment you work in does not fulfill the desires of your heart, remember it was never intended to. We are more than what we do. But at the same time, we all have a calling in our lives. So make the most of your down time. If you aren't happy where you're at, then start making a plan on how you can change that. Don't wait around for a hand-out.

Freelance Week 01

Here are a few things I learned my first week of self-employment:

1. To-do lists are important

2. Coffee should always be black

3. Getting dressed for work in the morning makes me more productive

4. An open line of communication with my client(s) is key

5. More coffee is never a bad thing

6. Family time is refreshing

7. Plenty of sleep is most important

It's tough to put into words how I feel after just one week of freelancing. It's good and challenging all at the same time. Some days are stressful, other days are cake. But all in all I know I'm in the right place, and that is what keeps me going. The obstacles that are waiting for me are nothing to be compared with the feeling of victory afterwards.

One of my goals this year is to share my journey with you each week. And hopefully we can learn from each other, instead of feeling like we're all on our own. I hope your new year is off to a great start. Stay creative.

The Next Step

The coming new year marks a new beginning for me as a husband/artist/believer. I will be foregoing the comforts of a steady paycheck in pursuit of a more fulfilling life. Saying it out loud, or in the case typing it in the computer, really solidifies it. I think it's a part of my maturing process to not only go from thought to speaking it out loud, but then to also stand behind my words and be committed. Of course this hasn't been a quick decision to come to. There are many obstacles that have stood in my way. The biggest being my own fear. But over the course of the last two years I have continually prayed and sought the Lord on what I should do. Some days I felt really empowered to pursue my dreams, and others I was down right afraid. But I felt the Lord giving me the strength this year to prepare to walk by faith more.

The question I get asked most when I tell someone is "what kind of work do you want to do?" And I don't want to put myself in a box, but I feel the obvious direction is one of illustration and art. I've had to be really honest with myself about what satisfies my soul and where I see myself in the years to come. And building websites is not it. I love the web for one reason, the people. The endless pursuit of technology is tiring. But I'm of the opinion if a client/project is a good fit then you shouldn't limit what platform you create on.

My desire is to build things with my bare hands that reflect truth in a beautiful way. Whether that's with a pen and paper or on a computer. At the end of the day I want to build a relationship with my client(s) and make stuff that's awesome. Is it going to be easy? Probably not. But living out the dreams of your heart isn't meant to be easy. The challenges that lie in wait for me are nothing compared to the victories on the other side.

Lastly, I want to say thank you to all who have walked with me and encouraged me over these past couple of years. Your words and prayers have not been in vain. I am really excited about what the future holds and couldn't do it without the love and support of my family, friends and awesomely supportive wife.