Working on different projects at the same time can help you to stay motivated.
When people ask me what I do for a living, I say that I’m a visual artist and freelance photographer. Yes, I wear several hats.
On the one hand, I create art projects that are regularly exhibited, and on the other hand, I create commissioned works for different types of people. It may sound easy but believe me: both parts require a lot of work.
For some time now, I have also had the desire to teach.
This is why last year I led a workshop twice in an association.
I like the idea of teaching what I know and discuss about different topics with people. What could be more interesting than that?
As August has just begun, I’ve realised, while planning the next weeks, that I have several big projects ahead of me. Here’s my to-do list:
- A photography syllabus (consisting of courses on techniques and certain types of photographic subjects) so I prepare all my courses in advance (and there’s a lot to say!)
- Look for new commissioned works
- Look for new ideas for my personal projects
- Continue working on my new portfolio
- Make and send applications
- Write new articles
- And a day job in the next few weeks…
In short, I won’t be bored and I like it!
I like it because I find that working on different projects is good for my work but also for my well-being.
I realised that working on many different projects keeps me motivated and on track.
It’s good because you always have something to do, you always challenge yourself and bring something extra to your CV (it will bear fruit) but also to yourself. It will also save you from those dull moments when you might think, “But what could I do tomorrow?”.
It’s about setting goals in life and seeing what you can bring to yourself.
It will always keep you active and stimulated by something.
Working on several things is also a good way to diversify and find new skills. There’s something rewarding about it.
When I started preparing workshops last year, I realised that I knew a lot more than I thought I did and I was so excited to be able to share that!
What I also like about this process is that when I get a bit bored with one project, I can take refuge in another, and then return to the previous one when my ideas and/or motivation are back.
It’s like a vicious circle but in a good way: the more projects you build, the more motivated you stay, and so you know that to stay motivated, you have to build projects.
Of course, you need to have a minimum of interest in what you are going to do but it doesn’t have to be a “big” project.
Just think about what else you could do.
But working on several things at once can be stressful.
At some point, you may feel overwhelmed and confused.
This often happened to me in the beginning.
To avoid this, you need to get organized. Make a schedule and stick to it. For example, I know that on Mondays I look at open calls on the internet. I write down the ones I’m interested in in three notebooks: a notebook with my ‘general’ work-related tasks (like a to-do list), a notebook where I write down all the information and my diary.
As for the rest of my weeks, I divide them between my different projects, respecting certain priorities such as clients, deadlines, what will take me the most time and so on. Some days, I may work on one project and the next day on another. Sometimes I divide my days into several parts: for example, in the morning I make submissions and in the afternoon I work on my course proposals.
It depends on my priorities, but in any case, I know it’s moving forward.
The organisation varies from person to person. Every case is different.
You will find that by getting organised, you’ll learn more valuable things about yourself. Things you may not have known before.
But always stay within the limits of what you are able to handle so that you can focus on your various projects.
Remember to keep potential distractions at bay.
Of course, I don’t mean that everyone is able to/should work on several projects at the same time. I think it depends on the work but also on the personality of the person. Someone who has concentration or motivation problems may be less attracted to the idea of multiplying projects.
But I think everyone should try it.
