As is typical for summers in Arizona, work tends to slow down. I'm not sure if it's because of the heat, the season, or something else entirely; honestly, I'm not sure if anyone knows why. Although I have a few jobs lined up, it's much slower than a typical month.
When things slow down, theoretically, you should have more free time to focus on all the things you should be doing as a freelance photographer: catching up on projects, outreach, marketing, networking, learning, and more. However, I've always struggled with free time for exactly that reason. There's always so much I should be doing, and I end up doing everything and nothing simultaneously. You know the saying, "A jack of all trades is a master of none"? That's exactly how I used to feel with my free time.
I learned that doing a little of everything equates to doing a bunch of nothing. I wasn't completing tasks and lacked the discipline and attention span to tackle items on my to-do list effectively. Once I realized that being intentional with my time and focusing on 1-2 things I wanted to get done made it much easier to put forth my best effort, I stopped thinking about the million other things I could be doing and became less overwhelmed.
I started asking myself: Which tasks are time-sensitive? What serves me or my business the most right now? These two questions provide the clarity I need to prioritize tasks and activities, allowing me to operate more efficiently and effectively.
As freelancers, we're always chasing the next job to fill our calendars. When we do have open days, we must be mindful of spending our time wisely and, more importantly, still getting things done. Whatever you decide to spend your time on, make sure you're present, and if it requires completion, finish it at a level you can be proud of!
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