The rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated. My apologies to the devoted hordes that awake daily hoping to find a new morsel of hope that my words provide. Devotees whom have been disappointed over the last few weeks. Well, maybe not hordes. Okay, it’s just one guy in Waxahachie, Texas. Luther, this is for you.
Due to an extremely busy work schedule, I have not been able to update my blog over the past few weeks. I had a big project that finally launched. I am not very happy with the results, but seeing as the clients basically requested an entire redesign a week and a half ago, I guess it will have to work for now. Yes, the client and project manager wanted the site completely redesigned after all of the mock-ups had been approved weeks earlier, and the entire site was constructed and 85% functional.
If I was not a believer in the value of CSS before, let there be little doubt that I am now. Since I had originally used CSS to build the site, it only took me one day to recut the graphics and rebuild the site. Had I used old school techniques it would have taken much longer. The entire experience left me overstressed and exasperated.
I am currently the only creative person on staff with my company. The means when any of my 7 accounts needs creative, they come to me first. When I cannot handle it, we are forced to use an outside resource. I recently came to the conclusion, that I am going to have to start telling people “no.” No longer can I try to be the creative superman. Being all things to everyone has only gotten me in trouble. I started to make mistakes. Though they were small mistakes, they were mistakes nonetheless. The thing about mistakes is you can never get them back. Each error diminishes you a little. They remain as indelible marks on your reputation. Lingering notions about your professionalism and reliability (at least in my mind they do).
By being honest about my ability to complete projects in a specified time period, I am not only benefitting myself. My company and our clients also benefit. It is hard for me to say no, because I want to please everyone. But I realize that if I give unrealistic expectations, everyone gets hurt in the end. This new approach seems to be working. My boss has approved the request to hire another designer/developer. Soon I will not only have some one to carry some of the workload, but someone to bounce ideas off of as well.
During this stressful period , I seemingly abandoned my wife, 9 months pregnant, and two year old daughter. My wife has been exhausted, achy and irritable. Understandably so. Why with carrying around an extra 20 pounds on her petite, five foot frame. And dealing with a, let’s say, rambunctious two year old is enough to drive someone with normal hormone levels right off a cliff. And let’s not even begin to discuss the chores that did not get done. I am sure that my abscence disrupted my daughters schedule a bit. By the time I would get home, it was already time for her bath. I think this is what bothered me the most. I just felt guilty because I was not there for my family.
I hope that the upcoming addition of a new designer and perhaps a laptop to make it easier for me to work from home will cure the woes of the past few months. Oh, did I mention that my son will be here this week? My wife is scheduled for a c-section this thursday! I am looking forward to some time off with my family.