As part of our Freelance Stories series Leif Kendall talks with former Freelancer of the Year winner and founder of Callender Creates, Jim Callender. We find out how Jim juggles work in London and Brighton and hear how he found a work/life balance that works for him and his family.
Google (and other search engines), repeat work, networking and personal recommendations from colleagues. Recommendations increasingly account for the work I get.
This is essential for my well-being and my family!
In the early days I used to work in the lounge of a small apartment, and even during social time, the computer was always looking at me which made me always think about work. The best way for a good work/life balance is to make a note of the hours you keep, find out what routine works best for you, and stick to a routine, ie: 8am-4pm, 10am-6pm. This way you do not burn out and you also set yourself realistic targets to get things done in this daily schedule. Of course you have to work outside these hours, but there is a point where you do not become productive anymore, especially if you are still at the computer at 2am.
If you place emphasis on your social life, you can treat yourself by taking an afternoon off mountain biking, or shopping. The work/life balance is only something that you will find by experimenting where and when you work. However, don’t feel guilty if you are not working, as you have probably earned a break, and that’s what freelancing is all about! You can often think of the best ideas when relaxing and away from the office. If you have a problem with a project, your wandering mind will often find the solution. Although it’s hard to leave the office when working under a deadline, often it can make you more focused and productive when you return, even if it’s only a walk round the block.
Now I have the luxury of some fantastic co-working spaces in Brighton and London. Something which was not available at such a cost-effective price 5-years ago. I also have a room at home which is solely for office use. Having three workplaces allows me to create a varied schedule each week, 3 days in Brighton and 2 days in London. I always aim to line up 2 meetings per week in London, whether this is with suppliers, colleagues or new leads. This is working well so far, and is increasing the coverage and exposure for my company.
Not much. I love being my own boss, and I could never go back to full-time monotony. When you start out you have to do boring stuff like form your own company, learn about accounts and taxes, but once you have found a good accountant then this is done by them every year. Also the income is very variable, not so good at the moment if you want to get a mortgage. However, if you can live without the certainty of a salary then you’ll survive.
If you are like me, and are always coming up with ideas, you’ll find having the freedom to drive them forward without anyone questioning them is a great luxury. Being innovative in my free time allows me to develop my range of skills and often leads to new services that I can offer my clients. Meeting with other freelancers and learning what they are doing or have experienced, good or bad. It’s the only way to discover that you are not alone, and allows you to broaden your real-life network. Being able to control your destiny — by being a small company we can move quickly with a new product for example, change our working methods to suit clients without much fuss, when compared to a larger agency.
There are a number of methods I have used for to do lists. I use Google calendar for all my work and life events. My work calendar sends me an SMS message as a reminder. There are lots of cloud-based services on the web — which means you can access them on any computer with net access. I also have a moleskin notebook which I use to jot ideas if I’m on a plane or train.
More at: “Our 5 favourite online applications”
I offer easy to use web applications at a lower cost to larger agencies. Ultimately for the client, it’s down to whether they get on with you, can trust you, and usually clients out of London prefer a local service provider, so distance is a factor.
No, the nearest I come to employment is the contracting I do every now and then. But I have not done this since 2007, since client work for Callender Creates has expanded.
Don’t worry too much about where the next project is coming from. Be honest, be realistic, and be reliable.
