“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” _{— Steve Jobs}

Happy Monday!

I was knee-deep in client end-of-month work today when school called.

“Ben’s having a pretty rough nosebleed…”

Disclaimer: he’s prone to nosebleeds when it’s dry (aka, when the air conditioner is running full blast at school) so this wasn’t a HUGE shock.

But then came those dreaded 7 words:

“You’ll need to come pick him up.”

In the moment, I had the thought “Oh man…I’ve got A TON to do. Why today?!”

But then I stopped to think of how incredibly lucky I am to be ruled by the clock.

Sure, work will shift and a call was rescheduled.

But I got to pick Ben up early, get a haircut (two birds with one stone) AND end the day at a coffee shop.

All without having to keep an eye on my watch or worry about PTO.

The point?

Life happens. Things will come up when you least expect (and WANT) them too.

But the afternoon was special — a time with my kiddo I wouldn’t have taken otherwise. I’m incredibly lucky to have the capability to go with the flow.

But it requires a bit of time design.

And a willingness to grab an end-of-day 🍩

In Today’s Edition

• Time design as life design: It’s time we rethink how we “think” about our time — and time management.

• Tweets Of The Week: A few tweets (I guess X is gonna stay, huh?) that caught my eye, made me laugh, or made me think!

• No, no, not the holiday shopping list content: I’ve already received a request for “Top 10 Things to Buy Men This Christmas” Y’all know it’s 10,000 degrees out, right?

Time Design Is Life Design

Freelancers, let's be honest: we're in a constant struggle with time management. As independent professionals, we often finish our days with a nagging feeling of underachievement or unfulfilled potential.

However, the good news is that by applying some discipline, focus, and strategy, we can make a meaningful change to our approach to time.

The secret isn't to become a master in time management, but rather, to become a time designer - the architect of our own day.

Time design involves stepping back, reflecting on your goals, and understanding what you want from each day, week, and month.

It's not always easy, especially when you're juggling multiple projects and personal commitments, but it's an art worth mastering.

Time Evaluation: A Freelancer's Checklist

First, let's do a quick time management audit. Ask yourself these questions:

• Do you often feel swamped by the tasks on your to-do list?

• Are you regularly postponing crucial tasks?

• Struggling with deadlines?

• Does your day seem to be filled more with low-value tasks than high-value ones?

• Does work bleed into your personal time, creating an imbalanced lifestyle?

• Are you forgoing breaks or meals to get more work done?

• Is your sleep schedule inconsistent due to work commitments?

• Do you struggle to resist distractions or impromptu requests?

• Do you utilize any tools or methods to structure, monitor, and prioritize your tasks?

• Does your workload regularly cause stress or anxiety?

If you find yourself nodding affirmatively to these questions, it's time to optimize your personal time management as a freelancer.

Reframing Our Time

We often trap ourselves in the traditional concept of time management - finishing specific tasks within a certain timeframe.

But time is more than just a to-do list. We should be strategizing our time in a way that allows for professional development, personal growth, and importantly, joy.

Time design is about structuring your routine for maximum productivity, while also prioritizing tasks to leave space for self-care, relaxation, and fulfillment.

It's not merely about staying occupied; it's about investing time in activities that resonate with our purpose and bring us closer to our objectives, leaving us feeling accomplished and content.

To make this shift, we need to approach time management from a mindful perspective rather than as a relentless taskmaster.

Rather than chastising ourselves for not doing 'enough', let's focus on making time for what we truly enjoy and incorporating it into our routines.

Let's ensure our days are peppered with meaningful pauses, joyous activities, and tasks that align with our goals.

Creating Your Time Design Regimen

Time management for freelancers shouldn't mean sticking strictly to a plan and just crossing off items from a to-do list. It's about strategizing your daily schedule to reach both immediate and long-term goals.

Here are some steps to start building a routine:

Step 1: Dedicate a few minutes daily to planning and setting goals. A quick "brain dump" session can make a massive difference.

Step 2: Pick several tasks you want to accomplish in the following days, weeks, or months — and be pragmatic about your capacity. Remember to consider both short-term and long-term goals.

Step 3: Segment each task into smaller, achievable steps to tackle daily. Here, tools like planners, digital apps, or a simple ‘To-Do’ list can be invaluable to track progress and provide reminders.

Step 4: Understand why you wish to (or have to) complete each task. Aligning your tasks with intentions can boost motivation, particularly during challenging times.

The Real Point: Time is Precious

In the pursuit of a balanced and fulfilling life, traditional time management will always fall short.

Time management generally prioritizes tasks based on someone else’s agenda, whereas time design empowers you to control your own time.

Remember, time is an irreplaceable resource. Invest it wisely and concentrate on tasks that genuinely matter to you.

By mastering time design, freelancers can improve productivity, strike a work-life balance, and enhance overall well-being.

At its core, effective time management is about cherishing each moment and utilizing our resources to their utmost potential.

Freelance Gems From The Bird (X?) App

A weekly roundup of my favorite tweets from friends (and maybe some foes.)

Look back over your last week — how many times did you actively engage with someone to lift them up or promote them? A little goes a looong way!

Our robot overlords are getting lazy.

I can SMELL this tweet. (Anyone else try to dig those little toys out of their bouncy ball cages? Just me?)

I won’t spoil Amy’s tips here - but you should click on them. They’re 💯

I’ve found this to be true as well. Letting ourselves have some wiggle room is fine, but wow - does it throw you off when you throw a wrench in the cogs of the machine!

Tuesday’s Coming…

August hath arriveth - and with it comes the start of the holiday season.

If you’re like me, you probably have brands looking to get their “back to school” and “Christmas shopping list” content built out - and fast.

Don’t forget to let yourself breathe a bit before diving in. Don’t let the panic of a new month (and empty client queues) trick you into accepting every single gig you can.

Design your time, design your life, and enjoy this moment!

Until next Monday, may your coffee be strong - and your deadlines be few.

Ti