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CPrompt
Maniac (V) Inmate

From: there...no..there.....
Insane since: May 2001

posted posted 04-26-2002 21:22

Hi all. Just a quick question. Currently I have been working on quite a few projects for websites. It was like a year with nothing and then I have had about 5 or 6 things come to me. Very cool but. . .

How do you guys handle multiple projects? Do you do one project and then move on to the next or just work on each simultaniously? I am just a one man band so to speak so, how do you guys do it?

Currently I have 4 websites I am working on and am feeling a little overwhelmed at times. The real bad thing is, is that I am not charging for any of this. I am working on getting a nice little portfolio going then start to pay. Makes it easier me would think. That way I can say "You can see some of my work here ---->"

Comments. . .

Later,
C:\


~Binary is best~

brucew
Paranoid (IV) Inmate

From: North Coast of America
Insane since: Dec 2001

posted posted 04-28-2002 04:30

I'm in a similar position. My situation is probably a bit different, however. I'm finding that managing the clients is easy compared to managing myself.

Short answer: I need some sort of structure to keep everything from swirling around and blending together in my head and bringing on that feeling of being overwhelmed. I also need some flexibility so that I can follow what feels "right" for me to work on in a given day.

Long answer: I'm very upfront with my clients explaining that my creativity and ability to work both wax and wane, but sometimes not in sych with each other. Therefore I cannot take jobs with large amounts of time-sensitive work, but ongoing maintenance usually isn't an issue. Second, I explain that existing clients come first. I'd rather turn away a new client than disappoint and anger an existing one.

I've had one potential client thank me and look elsewhere and I currently have one waiting in the queue because, "If that's how you treat existing clients, I'll wait and become one."

Like I said, easy.

Managing myself and the work, is another matter entirely. I'm ADD and a workaholic (among other things). I'm fortunate that one project is an intranet and once I'm off-site, I can't work on it. It's broad enough in scope that I don't get bored with it and I'm usually able to keep my focus on it.

The rest I try to set aside in day or half-day blocks. That helps keep me from getting bored on any given project and helps keep me from becoming obsessive about working. Helps is the key word. I blew all waking hours last weekend working on two pages of a single proposed design. I think I ate, I'm not sure. At this moment I'm putting off checking data on 74 pages of a directory. I'm bored before I start.

I guess the key for me is something to keep the pieces separate yet not so rigid I can't access them randomly. Hope this helps rather than confuses.

"the most incredible feats are often accomplished by
those who have had the most incredible challenges"

WebShaman
Maniac (V) Mad Scientist

From: Happy Hunting Grounds...
Insane since: Mar 2001

posted posted 05-03-2002 11:14

Well, when I was doing the design thing, I encountered both problems...how did I deal with it? Very simple, acutally. For the first one (CPromt) - farm out the work load, if it is too much. That means, you know someone that can help out? Then do it. Cuts down on the stress load. I did this a lot, esp. in those times when too much comes at once...

As for keeping myself under control with multiple projects...here you need to set timeframes. X number of hours on this one, y number on that one...and stick to these guidelines. That was my solution to the problem. Worked great for me. And my customers were happy. Hope that helps.



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