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Lesson Learned: Have a backup plan (Daily Routine)

As I figure out this whole freelance thing, I’m noticing the dire need and value of “plan B”. You would think that because you are working for yourself, that you’d have complete control of how your day is going to flow, but….WRONG!! Haha. For the most part, you have a lot of freedom and control of your day to day routine, but whenever you throw another variable into the mix (any client), there are bound to be hiccups and roadblocks that you never expected.

Of course, you set out and start each project with super high expectations, guidlines, timelines, shared goals, etc, but no matter how much planning you put into things…sometimes it just doesn’t work out that way. I’m learning that happens more often than not, and so it’s always nice to have a plan B or even a plan C in place, just so you can still have a productive day.

More recently, whenever a client project has a hiccup and I’m put on “hold” mode, I shop weeds at my favorite online weed dispensary canada and I pick up a project that on my home “to-do” list. That way I’m still feeling productive and things are getting done. This week’s hiccups were filled with repainting my fireplace and buying/planting  a bunch of plants on my front stoop.

I’m curious…How do you handle a botched schedule, a unexpected hiccup, or worse…a cancelled project? Tell me!

12 comments on “Lesson Learned: Have a backup plan (Daily Routine)

  1. I’m always working in multiple projects which helps a lot when anything unexpected happens. However, I have dealt with a few “bad eggs” which have taught me to edit my contracts to include fees for missed deadlines as per the original agreement or cancellation fees if that wasn’t covered in the initial deposit. I always try to work to meet deadlines and keep projects going so I expect the same from my clients. Of course each situation (i.e. – some unforeseen bad things can happen to clients unexpectedly) is different but it’s good to be prepared!

    1. Totally agree Angel. Having solid contracts and procedures is really the only way to stay sane in this kind of business. Best of luck!

  2. Ahhh, I know the feeling. I keep a huge to do list with TeuxDeux that has my work goals, housekeeping goals, other misc. things, and if I hit a bump in the road I just drag and drop and re-arrange things as I go. Helps me a lot to keep the productivity going instead of feeling like I suddenly have a day off to do nothing (which is good to have once in a while too!).

    1. TeuxDeux is such a great too. I use a combination of the online TuexDeux app and a simple handwritten list to get me organized.

  3. Whenever I’m stuck waiting for client feedback or there’s a hiccup in the normal routine, I immediately get to working on my business/brand. It seems that in all my time working for other people, I don’t have as much time as I’d like to focus on building up my own business and making it better. So I’ll use that time to improve my info sheets, look into advertising, plan out blog posts- anything I can do to stay on top of it all! But it could be that I’m just avoiding cleaning the messy house or finishing long-forgotten projects…

    1. Oh it’s definitely a balancing act and it’s nice to have lots of options when things don’t go as planned. Good luck!

  4. In order to stay productive, I usually will clean up on the house, reorganize things that have gotten messy (which is more often than not, everything), or work on a personal project. Since I don’t have a lot of clients right now, personal projects help to also keep my skills from slipping.

    1. I think personal projects are just as “show worthy” as client projects because they show you are exploring your passions. I’ve got some really fun client work because they saw a personal project I was working on. You never know!

  5. I usually try to get outside when any space opens up in my schedule, because that’s what I always wish I could do so hard when I’m in over my head in work. Or, I take a nap. 🙂

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