I ♥ Graphic Design by Craig Keeling
How do you deal with that tough design project? The one that you probably shouldn’t have taken onto in the first place. Or it’s the part of the project that you knew would be least fun. Whatever the reason, you don’t want to work on this project. This could even apply to a full time job or your whole career. Here’s a few tips on how to deal
Stay positive.
Your positive attitude can be infectious. If it’s that project where the client is never happy, maybe it’s just that they don’t know what happiness looks like. Point out the positive elements to yourself and others. Don’t spend your time away from it complaining. Or at least limit your complaints. Your family likes you better when you’re focused on the upside.
Planning.
A plan can make something you hate turn into at least something you can bare until the check clears. Figure out an escape plan, detailing all the steps from here until the end of the project. If you have an exit route in place, you might find that it’s not so bad after all.
Find time for what you enjoy.
If you could afford to quit, you probably would have by now. You agreed to the work for a reason. But it shouldn’t consume your life. Take the time out of every day to do something that truly makes you happy and takes your mind away to your happy place.
Learn from the experience.
Next time you’re faced with taking up work you don’t want to do, remember this day. Do whatever it takes to never have to tackle the nightmare project again. If your full time job is one nightmare after another, it’s time to move on. Figure out your exit plan. Fire your trouble clients. Get away from the boss you hate. Don’t get away from one situation just to end up in a similar situation elsewhere.
Brian E. Young is a graphic designer and artist in Baltimore, MD.