I used to be called Monica…

…well, just for fun by some close friends. As in ‘Monica’ from the sit-com Friends. I have a very similar personality… right down to the secret “Mess” in the locked closet that in my case, has spilled way out of the closet.  I like to cook, I like to have things a certain way, I like things to be done ‘right’ and maybe most of all I like to be the hostess (season 4 episode 13.)  When time limits me from these things (like not inviting friends over because I haven’t had a moment to clean my house in [more than] two weeks,) I start to lose it.

I’ve been writing and editing this post for more than a month now, maybe two, and I think it’s time… This is a little of ‘what’s happening’ with Michele (me) of Intrigue Design Studio. I always think better talking ‘out loud’ and I guess this is a form of that. It might be a bit long. Hope you don’t mind some babbling. After all, this is a blog (web log.)  😀

So, if you’re a fan of FRIENDS you might recall the episode where Monica decides to get to know her neighbors better by making candy for them; it becomes so popular that she can’t keep up with the mob waiting outside her door for more.  Here’s a clip that hit home for me.

The Woman: Hi! I’m sorry, I know it’s after hours but I really need candy.
Monica: I’m sorry, I can’t help you. See? (Points to her new sign.) Rules are rules.
The Woman: Please! I have people coming from out of town today! And, I told them all about your candy!
Monica: No kidding, out of towners huh? What did you tell ‘em?
The Woman: I told ‘em your candy is absolutely indescribable!
Monica: Some people have been saying its y’know little drops of heaven, but whatever.
The Woman: Please, can’t you help me out?
Monica: All right, I’ll do it just this once! But you can’t tell anybody! 
The Woman: (exasperatedly) Yes! Yes! Please, just give it to me!
The Woman: (after Monica gives her the candy) Thank you.
Monica: (closing the door) It’s unbelievable! I-I can’t believe that sign didn’t work!
Chandler: Y’know what would work?
Monica: Hmm?
Chandler: Stop making candy!
Monica: But they like it!
Chandler: You mean they like you.
Monica: Maybe.

So… I don’t take things to that extreme… maybe.

Can you relate? Things get out of hand.

A lot of articles have been catching my eye lately, one even just yesterday from Becca of Cake. Several bloggers have been posting, in essence, about time management. It’s been a while now that I’ve realized I need to reign in the scattered-ness of my days and now that tax season has passed – well, it’s evident I really need to adjust some things. The bottom line? Too much time spent on work related things, away from my family, not enough to show for it.

So what to do? Well, for one – I need to take back more time for my family. I hardly spend time with my extended family and friends as well, and I’m really ready for that to change. Afternoons need to be about my 4 year old as he’s growing up way too fast. I need to limit work on the weekends as well. Pretty cut and dry. (I have the biggest issue saying this – I want to qualify it with saying something like “but don’t hesitate to email me because I’ll be checking my email…” I’m afraid the emails will stop coming. ahh!)

For two, my remaining time is more valuable than I’m billing. You see, for the last more than 20 years, I billed by the hour. I got a check in the mail after I mailed them my invoice and only got jilted a couple of times. I freelance for local print shops and print brokers for whom I am very grateful. Recently, what has become my primary customer base is from online sources and it’s a dream come true. Seriously. The downside to that is I must quote and get paid in advance of completing the job and I can no longer bill loosely leashed hours to those who are much like myself and cannot afford the high cost of corporate design.

My dilemma – I’m crazy about design (thus the blog name – lol) and I really enjoy working with my customers and I get to design some really great stuff that is often right up my ‘proverbial’ alley! I don’t want to lose that. That’s why I frequently do stuff for little to nothing, I get a thrill out of it and I hope to make everyone’s stuff look great! At the same time, I have been under charging, I have been trying to fit so much into such a small work window (and we need the income) without considering the ‘realistic’ amount of time it takes to complete and it’s just gotten out of hand. I often feel people need their work “right now” and try to accommodate that, thus overbooking myself out of good intentions. On top of that… I haven’t had any time left to be “Monica.”

The tough decision – I’m definitely not stopping(!) BUT I need to adjust my prices to reflect the realistic and reasonable amount of time I spend on a project.  I wish I could do it all for free but especially with a second little one in the works, I need to make a profit. Jessica of Party Box Design said it great in her recent post: If you can’t sell a product with a profit, then you need to rework your plan.

I also need to space out my work. I have my calendar open at all times so I can pencil in the design ‘appointments’ and I’m trying to not book into my “No Work” hours (as Kori of Paper and Pigtails put it in her post here.)

I expect this decision will help me creatively as well. It’s a known fact that to be better at design there must be time off from it for inspiration and creativity to thrive and grow.

I want to say a HUGE thank you to my clients and friends who have been so patient with me recently. I truly appreciate you all. For those considering my services, I hope you’ll stay on board and if you need design work, please contact me. I would love to pencil you in!