Apple Themed Couple's Session in Saint James Missouri. Learning to Juggle it all is the only way you are going to survive this crazy life as a photographer. For the last few years I have had to learn to juggle, full time student, full time Marketing Director, and Photographer. Succeeding with flying colors is not how I would define my success at juggling it all, but I have learned many lessons along the way. I thought it would be a perfect time to give you 5 ways to Juggle this crazy thing called life, love, & business.
1. Organization
As many of you who know me personally read my #1, you're probably falling off your couches. I chose organization as my number one because it is probably something I have struggled with the most. What has continuously helped me keep organized in my business is a plan. My mother is the queen of lists & plans and as much as I love to do everything opposite of my mother, I can honestly say she got this one right!
Every so often I try a new way of keeping it real in my organizational efforts. Here are a few ways I keep organized.
The key to organization is to not let your list run your life, but allow it to help you run your business a little smoother.
2. Scheduling
Since January I have experienced one of the most obnoxious schedules I have ever taken upon myself. With a full time school schedule, full time work schedule, and a tiny bit of a life I have had to learn to be a scheduler. I have never really felt the need to utilize an agenda before, but the last 6 months I would have been lost with my handy dandy Kate Spade agenda & Google Calendar. To succeed you have to take control of your schedule, this may mean working in a few extra hours at night working before bed, or getting up early and going into the office before everyone else to accomplish all your tasks ( yes a few of you are giggling at my go into the office early bit, considering mornings are like going to WWIII for me, needless to say I usually choose the stay up late at night and work option).
3. Don't Forget you have only one life to live.
In the early days of my business, photography & design was more a hobby than a lucrative business. I never thought twice about staying up until 3 am in my office working on my latest design or session because I was in love with what I was doing. After about a year of forgetting my friends, my love life, & my family I realized that working hard to get to where I wanted to be was great, but it didn't mean I had to be too busy for the most important part of life; LIVING! So I made a change, I started closing my office door at a certain time to cook myself dinner, or meet friends for a little girls night. I have learned over time when I take the time to be with friends and family and not just work, I am more productive.
4. Acceptance
Accept you aren't going to finish everything. There will be days when you walk away from your desk and there are more To Do's on your list when you left than there were when you sat down that morning. Accept tomorrow is a new day, full of time to devote to new tasks. Accept you may not succeed at everything. Accept that a load (or 5) of laundry may go unwashed, accept you may have to skip girls night in order to do said 5 loads of laundry, and learn how to accept the unexpected.
5. Keep on Juggling
For some the daily juggle gets easier as you get into a routine, or as you get busier it becomes a bit too much. Just remember to keep on juggling and to continue to find new ways to improve your daily juggle, like the latest to do list app on your iPhone.
Chalea Bryanne Disclosure: I want you all to know that no one is perfect and that it is ok to fail. Just remember... Keep on Juggling!
1. Organization
As many of you who know me personally read my #1, you're probably falling off your couches. I chose organization as my number one because it is probably something I have struggled with the most. What has continuously helped me keep organized in my business is a plan. My mother is the queen of lists & plans and as much as I love to do everything opposite of my mother, I can honestly say she got this one right!
Every so often I try a new way of keeping it real in my organizational efforts. Here are a few ways I keep organized.
- Use the sticky notes app on your MacBook or keep a word document open at all times on your desktop with a running list of different things that continuously need to be done.
- If you are a photographer or Designer try out using a software like StudioCloud or fotoclient. Both are wonderful and have their pro's and con's.
- Keep a notepad on your desk that you can quickly scribble down notes on.
The key to organization is to not let your list run your life, but allow it to help you run your business a little smoother.
2. Scheduling
Since January I have experienced one of the most obnoxious schedules I have ever taken upon myself. With a full time school schedule, full time work schedule, and a tiny bit of a life I have had to learn to be a scheduler. I have never really felt the need to utilize an agenda before, but the last 6 months I would have been lost with my handy dandy Kate Spade agenda & Google Calendar. To succeed you have to take control of your schedule, this may mean working in a few extra hours at night working before bed, or getting up early and going into the office before everyone else to accomplish all your tasks ( yes a few of you are giggling at my go into the office early bit, considering mornings are like going to WWIII for me, needless to say I usually choose the stay up late at night and work option).
3. Don't Forget you have only one life to live.
In the early days of my business, photography & design was more a hobby than a lucrative business. I never thought twice about staying up until 3 am in my office working on my latest design or session because I was in love with what I was doing. After about a year of forgetting my friends, my love life, & my family I realized that working hard to get to where I wanted to be was great, but it didn't mean I had to be too busy for the most important part of life; LIVING! So I made a change, I started closing my office door at a certain time to cook myself dinner, or meet friends for a little girls night. I have learned over time when I take the time to be with friends and family and not just work, I am more productive.
4. Acceptance
Accept you aren't going to finish everything. There will be days when you walk away from your desk and there are more To Do's on your list when you left than there were when you sat down that morning. Accept tomorrow is a new day, full of time to devote to new tasks. Accept you may not succeed at everything. Accept that a load (or 5) of laundry may go unwashed, accept you may have to skip girls night in order to do said 5 loads of laundry, and learn how to accept the unexpected.
5. Keep on Juggling
For some the daily juggle gets easier as you get into a routine, or as you get busier it becomes a bit too much. Just remember to keep on juggling and to continue to find new ways to improve your daily juggle, like the latest to do list app on your iPhone.
Chalea Bryanne Disclosure: I want you all to know that no one is perfect and that it is ok to fail. Just remember... Keep on Juggling!
