nojomo: reprogramming

I’m still titling my entries NoJoMo because I’m writing them in November.  😛

I’ve only been a business owner for a few short months, but I’ve already learned a lot.  I’ve learned that in order to be productive, I have to be organized.  Since I struggle with organization every day, I’m obviously struggling with productivity.  My "office" is essentially a flat pack desk right next to my bed and a bookshelf right beside it.  Now, this would be plenty enough room if I actually had the space cleared out and functional, but I’ve still got half the bookshelf filled with fabrics, too-small cloth diapers and dozens of craft books.  As a result, my desk is a pile of paperwork, model releases, and rough drafts of contracts.  If I don’t end up scheduling a shoot for this Saturday, I’m dead set on tackling that space and getting it work ready.  I don’t ever actually DO any work in there, as there’s no room to spread out with the laptop, and Ben still sleeps in there, but at least I will be able to find things I need.  I need to build these habits NOW before my business grows too much and I end up buried under the mess and going under. 

Time management’s also killing me lately.  When I’m home, I try hard to stay motivated and on top of the sessions I have coming due, but when I end up walking into a messy house and two kids who are starving for mommy attention, it’s hard to set aside that time for myself to do the work I need to do.  I end just getting things in under deadlines, and sometimes I feel like that hampers my ability to do each image its due diligence, so I’m trying to curb that as well.  My new goal is to get each session uploaded to PSE and weeded down to proofs the same day I shoot it.  If I can keep on top of that, everything else that follows should be much quicker. 

Fingers crossed that I can get a handle on things, because I’m just going to get busier.  My manager at work is talking about making me the third custom framer, which is exciting because I love it, but I don’t see how I’d be able to keep working 30+ hours after the New Year.  Aaron will be gone five days a week, and I don’t have a baby-sitter.  And I really hate to leave this job!  I love it, and I love everyone I work with.  I guess I’m just kind of angry that I finally found a job where I feel at home, and I’m going to have to give it up so soon.  I’ve talked to Aaron about possibly asking to stay on at less than 15 hours a week, just one or two days, so that I can keep my discount and have a tiny bit of time out of the house to preserve my sanity, but I guess I’ll see what happens and what my manager has to say later.

I had an eye exam this morning, my first in six years.  My vision without corrective lenses is 20/600.    I knew I was blind, but whew!  I brought home a pair of trial contacts, which I’m wearing now.  They’re giving me a headache because it’s been so many years since I’ve had to wear them, but it’s nice to be able to see again.  Because of my lovely vision, my glasses are going to cost a smidge over $300, and that’s with the cheapy frames, so I’m going to try to price them at ZenniOptical.com.  You’re supposed to be able to get decent glasses for between $8-$20, lenses included, so we’ll see.  

Anyway, the little monster got me up at five this morning, so I’m beat.  I’m gonna hit the hay.