5 ways to feel like a design rock star, working as a roadie
1. Recognize the necessity
Have you ever mumbled to yourself, “What a waste of my time…”? Let’s face it: There are times when you’ll have to deal with projects that seem completely unnecessary (to you, at least). It’s a natural reaction to feel that you could be doing something more meaningful in that moment. [pullquote]It’s a natural reaction to feel that you could be doing something more meaningful in that moment[/pullquote] This is when you could easily sink into a bit of despair, and let the thought of all this meaningless work ruin your day. But come on now, you’re better than that. Part of the problem (at least, from what I’ve experienced) is that it’s easy to think that, as an expert, you know best. And perhaps you do. But we also must acknowledge that whether we’re web designers, world leaders, or parents, not everyone is going to listen to us all the time. Instead, take an open-minded look at the situation. Recognize the fact that the boss/client felt this was important enough to be done. You don’t have to necessarily agree with that analysis, but it is your duty to carry it out. At the very least, you can take pride in what you’re doing and know that it does mean something to someone.2. Dive right in
When you’re faced with a task that you really aren’t excited about, you may want to put if off for as long as possible. While “delaying the pain” may seem like a good plan, you’re probably hurting yourself more in the long run. The longer you delay the task, the more you have to sit there with it in the back of your mind. Instead, crank up your favorite music and commit yourself to getting it done. Attack the project with confidence and purpose. If it’s a longer term project, you can certainly find time to do other things to break the monotony. Even better: go outside for a bit and enjoy nature. You’ll feel refreshed and ready to dive back in to work.3. Make it a game
I’ve had mountainous piles of repetitive tasks that have made both my wrists (and soul) hurt. If it’s a project that will take days or weeks to finish, I can actually find myself with a bit of Stockholm syndrome when it’s all done. This type of work can almost feel insurmountable if you don’t put it in perspective. When faced with something like this, challenging yourself (in a fun way) can help you plow through. For example, if you’re working on something extremely repetitive, see how many times you can repeat the task in a minute or other interval. Maybe it sounds a bit like counting holes in the ceiling tiles, but it can help to make something insanely boring a bit more tolerable. [pullquote]it can help you to develop a more efficient process for getting things done[/pullquote] Another beneficial aspect of this practice is that it can help you to develop a more efficient process for getting things done. It’s during those repetitive tasks that an idea can suddenly show up that saves you precious time. Finding ways to make things fun (no matter how silly) will improve your mood and might even improve your work.4. Find perspective
Turn on the news for any length of time and it’s easy to see that our problems can be miniscule compared to what others face. Even so, it can be hard to think about that when you’re overwhelmed or just plain bored out of your mind. In all honesty, it’s something I’ve struggled with over the years. Sometimes, I’ll get annoyed at work and think, “What right do I have to feel this way? I’m not terminally ill, I’m not a refugee and I’ve got it pretty good.” The truth is that we all have our own personal hell. And it’s probably not too realistic to be in a perpetually sunny mood when it comes to work (even if you love what you do). So you can reserve the right to be a little grumpy when tasked with something you’d rather not do. [pullquote]The truth is that we all have our own personal hell[/pullquote] The key here is to put it in perspective. I recently heard a radio interview with a top executive. Their advice on the subject was (and I’m paraphrasing): Take a look at your situation and then think about how you’ll feel about it six months from now. Will you even remember it by then? The point is, take the work at face value. Don’t assign more meaning to it than what’s really there. That advice has actually helped me get through some things that normally would have sent me running for the bag of candy (or worse)! As it turns out, most things won’t be remembered much beyond their immediate past.5. Remember the good stuff
Remember earlier when we discussed the reasons we love being web designers? It’s never a bad time to think about what drew you to this vocation. Thankfully, it’s the good stuff that endures. The other challenges are just temporary. So the next time you are faced with some work that just might drive you crazy:- Know that, in someone’s eyes, the work is necessary (and you don’t have to agree).
- Find a way to challenge yourself and make the task more fun.
- Get right to work on it with a vengeance.
- Realize that it’s okay to get annoyed, just don’t wallow in self pity.
- Remember that you have a pretty awesome career.
Eric Karkovack
Eric Karkovack is a web designer with over 20 years of experience. You can visit his business site here. In 2013 he released his first eBook: Your Guide to Becoming a Freelance Web Designer. He also has an opinion on just about every subject. You can follow his rants on Twitter @karks88.
Read Next
LimeWire Developer APIs Herald a New Era of AI Integration
Generative AI is a fascinating technology. Far from the design killer some people feared, it is an empowering and…
By WDD Staff
20 Best New Websites, March 2024
Welcome to our pick of sites for March. This month’s collection tends towards the simple and clean, which goes to show…
Exciting New Tools for Designers, March 2024
The fast-paced world of design never stops turning, and staying ahead of the curve is essential for creatives. As…
Web Tech Trends to Watch in 2024 and Beyond
It hardly seems possible given the radical transformations we’ve seen over the last few decades, but the web design…
By Louise North
6 Best AI Productivity Apps in 2024
There’s no escaping it: if you want to be successful, you need to be productive. The more you work, the more you…
By Simon Sterne
3 Essential Design Trends, February 2024
From atypical typefaces to neutral colors to unusual user patterns, there are plenty of new website design trends to…
Surviving the Leap from College to Real-World Design
So, you’ve finished college and are ready to showcase your design skills to the world. This is a pivotal moment that…
By Simon Sterne
20 Mind-Bending Illusions That Will Make You Question Reality
Mind-bending videos. Divisive Images. Eye-straining visuals. This list of optical illusions has it all. Join us as we…
By Max Walton
15 Best New Fonts, February 2024
Welcome to February’s roundup of the best new fonts for designers. This month’s compilation includes some innovative…
By Ben Moss
The 10 Best WordPress Quiz Plugins in 2024
Whether it’s boosting your organic search visibility or collecting data for targeted email marketing campaigns, a great…
By Robert Reeve
20 Best New Websites, February 2024
It’s almost Valentine’s Day, so this latest collection is a billet-doux celebrating the best of the web this month.
Everything You Need to Know About Image Formats In 2024
Always trying to walk the tightrope between image quality and file size? Looking to branch out from JPGs and PNGs this…
By Robert Reeve