working from home // 02

Last week I started a new Working from Home series, in case you missed it you can catch up here.  Today I'm continuing with my second guest to share a few tips on what helped her transition to being self-employed full time.

JENNY HIGHSMITH

Maiedae

blog // design // ig

Hey! My name is Jenny Highsmith and I've co-owned Maiedae for about 3 years now. But, it wasn't until this year that my business partner and I were able to quit our full time jobs (read more about that here) and work full-time creating graphic design. Prior to that, we both had been working 9-5 jobs and then coming home and working nights and weekends on Maiedae. As many of your probably know, it was exhausting. It's definitely difficult not having as much income as when I worked 2 jobs, but the fact that I am able to do what I love every day is so worth it. 

Transitioning to being full-time with our business was a little difficult at first, but there were a few things that really helped: 1) organization 2) time management and 3) having fun. We spend 2 days a week at her place, 2 days a week at my place, and 1 day a week working separately. Each hour is organized according to categories within our business so that we know exactly how much time we are spending each week in those areas and so that we can schedule out efficiently and effectively the things that we need to accomplish. It's extremely helpful when scheduling out our design clients to know how much time we have allotted each week - and how much of that is already taken up! It allows us to accurately estimate due dates and not over-book ourselves.  You can read more of the things I've learned working full-time here.

We also have our "inspiration/fun time" scheduled out, which may seem silly or contradictory at first. But, we are type of people who will work ourselves to death without taking a break if we don't force ourselves. So, it's really helpful to have even that time scheduled out to make sure that we actually do it. It's definitely hard to not feel pressure to get things done sooner, but I don't miss the pressure and exhaustion of working 24/7. There is a balance that is beautiful and right. 

{photo provided by Krista Ashley Photography}

Do you work from home? Share your story!

email: hello@aspensummit.co for consideration

working from home // 01

Self-employed.  Stay-at-Home.  Freelancer.  Whatever you call it, working from home can have many titles and is a hell of a lot of work.  Between juggling a personal life (if you have one outside of this crazy life we have chosen ) & business, the work is cut out for us and I know I can't be the only one that loves hearing the stories of how others find balance or if they ever do.  I invited some friends that I admire to share just a small part of their story for this ongoing weekly series.  Enjoy!

AUBREY KINCH

The Kinch Life

blog // design // ig

Initially working from home was something I thought would be cake, nothing could be more smooth than making my own schedule and planning my day accordingly to that but now that I've been doing it for a solid 6 months I've learned a few lessons. First off, I wrote a post here about how family and friends seem to think I'm always free; that's been one of my main struggles. It's been a process learning I need to be in my office when I have "office hours" to keep consistency with my day and I've also learned it's hard to have discipline and motivation every day. I've taken the time to mold my schedule into something leisurely but structured enough so I'm successful. 

My main suggestions are:

• never work from your bed
• have office hours and a set time you "leave" work
• don't be readily available (such a hard thing for me, but you can email them back the following day during office hours!)
• shower and get dressed for your day as you would at any other work place

Those are a few things that keep me in check working from home because it's built around a solid work environment and it keeps me sane but still flexible when life happens and I need a day off or some time to have lunch with a friend. The pros always out weigh the cons but it's a learning process you'll constantly be navigating.

{photo provided by Krista Ashley Photography}

Do you work from home? Share your story!

email: hello@aspensummit.co for consideration