On Monday, I attend a mini photographers conference called the WPPI Road Show. There, I was able to see Jasmine and JD again, and gosh darn…it opened some wounds. The experience I had in Seattle with Jasmine, the J* Jets and JD changed my perception of running a business. They are the reason I’m growing stronger every day. If I could send them a thank you card every day I would.
While we were talking, I seriously had to stop myself from taking them away from the crowds just so I could have them to myself. And I mean that in the least-creepy-way-possible…I don’t think I could ever get to hair sniffing level. 😉
During her fabulous talk, Jasmine said something that hit home. Duh…can anything bad come from this girl? She talked mostly about work-life balance. Everyone in the audience was on the edge of their seat. As a photographer, I’m working 24/7. And I love it. My couples are so amazing I want to reach out and hug them and make YogurtLand a daily occurrence.
In the last couple of months though, I can see how not having an office schedule can pull at relationships. I’ve shot weddings on my birthday, worked 20 hour days and attached myself to my laptop while I was in Hawaii. No bueno.
I’m also surprised Mark Zuckerberg hasn’t personally thanked me for all of my Facebook usage. Actually, I’m a little disappointed in that. I’m still waiting for my email Mark.
Anyways. In the past, I would set my alarm early, drink a glass of water and turn on my computer. Thats even if I turned it off the night before. Sometime around 2pm I would get hungry…wander to the kitchen…then sit back down on my computer. I would grow roots till about 2am…and wake up at 8am to repeat the process.
I won’t do that to myself anymore. I can’t do that to myself anymore. So I’m creating an office schedule for myself.
- 7 am – Wake up (or try to…siting in bed playing angry birds counts) – Make breakfast and spend time with Lulu
- 8 am – Computer gets turned on – Emails – Twitter – Facebook – Plotting to take over the world
- 9 – 10:30 am – Work on a blog post
- 10:30 – 12:30 pm – Edit – Cull – General Image Processing
- 12:30 – 1pm – Lunch – Pick up mail/ship packages
- 1 – 2:30 pm – Gym Time ( Can be Switched with a 7am/pm Spin class…because I’m flexible like that.)
- 3 pm – Emails – Twitter – Facebook – Again…Plotting to take over the world
- 4 pm – More Editing
- 6 pm – Contracts – Submissions – Packing Products – Submitting Print orders – Last Emails of the night
- 7pm – Computer off. iphone can be used to tweet and chat to my hearts desire. Angry birds can be played. Will be played.
As of right now I think I would have a panic attack if I gave myself a day off. I have problems, I know…baby steps.
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<3
Candice
P.S. Jasmine…I completely forgot to tell you that your hair was also a fabulous show stopper…it was amazing. That mixed with your dress put my entire closet to shame…and inspired me to go shopping…(just don’t tell my accountant). I also would of hired your hairstylist in a second. If Ashley was there she would of totally gave you an extra-long hug!
LOVE this post! I wish you were closer, we’d go to YogurtLand every day! And I may just sniff your hair. Also, I don’t see “Facebook chats with Kristin” in this schedule, this is unacceptable. 😉
that is a great schedule! i tried to set one up myself and little by little started to revert back to long nights of editing and facebooking lol. but you’ve inspired me to make a new schedule… hopefully one i can stick with!
Hey! Don’t hate! I just show my appreciation in different ways than others. ;). I’m with ya on the schedule too, sistah!
I’m totally telling your accountant!!! But he knows very well that shopping = happy girls. So he’ll understand. I’m still telling though.
You are my hero! I have the exact same problem… and I need to implement the same solution.
love this.