Where the Time Goes When There Isn’t Any
By Tom Chandler on Jul 31, 2008 in Underground Entertainment
Because I foolishly took a vacation, I’m now overwhelmed with Stuff to Write, and my workload is treating me the same way trains treat automobiles:
Because she’s a game sort who’s willing to share the pain, Roberta Rosenberg posts pretty much the same story of getaway-related overwork.
I won’t turn this post into a pine for the old days, when we actually had time to think about the words we wrote, or projects didn’t change course a half-dozen times in three days.
But I have to ask: how many of today’s freelancers (writers, designers, Web folks, etc) are feeling - acutely at times - the pressure of what we used to call Internet Time?
It’s the pressure that accompanies the expectation of too many words (and calls, and emails, and research) in too little time. And the realization that compiling an actual to-do list - complete with deadlines - would reduce you to a whimpering, drooling fool.
It’s likely we have only ourselves to blame.
But still, you think you absolutely can’t take an afternoon off? Afraid to book a vacation? Forget what the sun looks like?
The floor is yours, Undergrounders.
Keep writing, Tom Chandler.
I took three days off last summer (five, if you count the weekend) and in the days leading up to my “vacation” I got deluged by projects from clients. Most were happy to wait until I got back — one called while I was actually away, and had to go elsewhere to get it done. Ugh.
Of course once back in my office, it was 15-hour days to catch up. (Luckily the family was still on holiday, so there were less distractions…)
The faster technology helps us get things done, the faster things need to be done. Most people used to factor in 10 days to get their brochures printed — now if it isn’t same-day service, they’ll go somewhere else.
Seems like writing is going the same way. How many ads do you see for 10,000-word projects that need to be done by tomorrow?
I treasure the clients I have who understand the value of a long lead time. I’m also the first one to help on the rare occasion that they need something ASAP.
But what I like most about them is that they are ones who tell me I deserve an afternoon off. On occasion, I actually take them up on it…
~Graham
Graham Strong | Jul 31, 2008 | Reply
*raises hand*
I don’t even want to start to get into the crunch of Internet time versus real life capacity to meet expectations. It just doesn’t exist. Seriously.
James Chartrand - Men with Pens | Jul 31, 2008 | Reply
Ok, my comment didn’t “take” the first time. What happens to all the words that disappear into the void?
Graham: The rule still applies: Need Work? Schedule a Non-Refundable Vacation…
James: Right again.
Tom Chandler | Aug 1, 2008 | Reply
That’s about the only thing I miss about corporate life — I had more time. Since I had a salary I could count on, I just had to worry about getting my work done and not about marketing or anything else.
But I wouldn’t go back to the corporate world. I love the flexibility, I regularly meet new people, and I work for a variety of people with different companies and cultures.
I took a three day weekend to Austin for a nonprofit conference. I knew I wouldn’t be able to work on the trip except to take care of one client’s request. I return only to have less time for work this week due to family obligations (special three week program).
I emailed my clients to let them know my time will be limited in the next three weeks and they were all understanding. I love my clients! And I hope they love my work.
Meryl K. Evans | Aug 2, 2008 | Reply