Make work work for you

When a was a junior designer I felt an expectancy to work long hours – I feared that if I didn’t, I wouldn’t appear dedicated. So for years I worked full weeks and often long days, and eventually ended up burning out and quitting being a designer for a couple of years.

After my recovery I came back and set new terms: I would work no more than 4 days a week, and aim to limit my deep design blocks to 6 hours a day. Now I’m a healthier, happier designer, and get just as much work done in 4 days than I did when I was doing 5+ days a week.

If you overwork, you’ll set yourself up for burnout. Make your work work for you and your wellbeing.

Silence your self-criticism

‘If you hear a voice within you say “you cannot paint”, then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced’.

– Vincent Van Gogh