Common Craft Blog
Learning The Independent Lifestyle
By leelefever on December 14, 2007 - 4:56pm
I always wanted to be independent - I never, not once in my life, had the goal of working for someone else. It's not in my genes. In 2003 I founded Common Craft and in January of 2007 Sachi joined the company. Since then, Sachi has been the real force driving our goal of having a truly independent lifestyle.
And it is ALL about lifestyle. As I've written before, we make our lifestyle a huge priority. Why choose to be independent if you can't create a job and schedule that works for you? We've been trying to figure out what this means and I have a couple of examples.
Despite being independent since 2003, there is a part of me that feels like I need to keep normal business hours. This is particularly true in the mornings - I'm compelled to get up and start work. Even when we're up past midnight working - I still feel the need to be up early. This makes no sense to Sachi. She says things like "We're independent - you don't make that choice to conform to everyone else's hours. Work on your schedule." Of course it may be that my schedule happens to fit with the corporate world. On the other hand, I think Sachi is slowly becoming nocturnal - sometimes staying up till 3 and sleeping until 11. But hey, if it works for her it's a very good thing for us both.
There is part of me that still wants a weekend and sometimes they happen. I look forward to Fridays and part of me needs to have a Saturday like everyone else. Of course, Sachi is the voice of reason and says things like "Why would you go on a Saturday with all the other people? - go on a Tuesday when they're at work. Do you want to fight for parking and stand in line?" Of course it's a good point - we have made a choice to be able to avoid the masses. Sachi often reminds me that we can exchange almost any day for a Saturday.
I find all of this so interesting and we talk about it constantly. It's one thing to have a job that is independent of bosses and corporate structure, but it's yet another to use that opportunity to create a lifestyle that fits you.
Ideas FIRST / Business Hours
I'm visiting Common Craft for the first time today (heard about it from a friend). I'm a creative professional as well, and in this business, SO many people get sucked into high-dollar production (which may or may not fall flat on its face) and neglect to nurture the IDEA behind it all. Common Craft is 99% definition and communication of an idea, 1% production value; yet I would hold this up against almost any flashy national ad campaign out there, as far as effectiveness goes. Completely unpretentious!. Thank you Common Craft on behalf of Creatives everywhere!
Anyway, I was writing to say I can completely relate to your "business hours" dilemma. We don't all get to "punch out" and forget about work for 16 hours--which is fine, because it's a lifestyle choice you make getting into this. The worst is when, after working until 3am, you get that 9:00 call from a cube-dweller who reads your grogginess as laziness. SO FRUSTRATING!
Couldn't agree more...
This single factor is a huge part of why I'm finally going out on my own again. I just don't believe that true creativity and productivity can be crammed in 9-to-5. I currently have a considerable amount of flexibility as an employee of a large company, but it's not enough.
The idea of fixed 9-to-5 hours doesn't always make sense in creative and knowledge work, and I think it's really starting to sink in. All of that said, it can often be tough to find the right balance and be comfortable with it.
Amen, my southern brother...
It'll be so hard to go back to working for the man, if I ever do. It's hard to beat the feeling of leaving my home office at noon on Tuesday to go see a matinee. Or how, here in Malta, we work from 13:00 to 18:00, and then a couple of hours in the evening. Because we can.
Lee, I completely relate. I
Lee, I completely relate. I keep trying to be like Sachi, but end up acting more like you. Maybe it's because everyone else in my life is on the 9-5, so it's harder to NOT be that way. I also feel guilty somehow if I'm not working the "corporate way." I've been doing this for 10 years now and it's still something I struggle with. I need Sachi to come over to my house and give me a pep talk every once in a while!
That's the dream
Doing something I love and being able to make a living at it is my ultimate dream. Stressing about a job and money just sucks the joy out of my day. One day I'll make it cause I have examples like you to let me know it's possible. Thanks for that.
Take A Chance
"Doing something I love and being able to make a living at it is my ultimate dream"
I think this is a dream for most. However, "most" don't ever take a chance and go after it.
They don't realize what they're missing out on!
I agree with Sachi
I am nocturnal, have been since childhood. Working 9-5 never agreed with me and constantly had me off balance. In life we all need to find our balance - whatever that is. Doing what we do, doing it well and on our own terms. I call that independence.
Coordinating schedules
I share the same situation with Michele: I have clients who work on the weekdays, so they're naturally calling me at those times when I should be taking advantage of doing my own personal errands.
I think there is an implicit understanding of this when contracts get signed, but it is never explicitly talked about.
And of course, I'd rather be working on the weekends when it's nice and quiet! But what ends up happening is that clients do communicate during throughout the weekdays that the only days left to relax is on the weekends along with everyone else.
However, starting with this year, I'm going to let my clients know that, while a project is always naturally on-going throughout a project schedule, there will only be certain hours of correspondence that I will be immediately available. "Outside" hours are subject to availability.
The next part will be to figure out which days are better coordinated for me and my clients that gives us both the advantages in our individual schedules...!
Inspiration
Hey, you're living the American dream - two thumbs up to that! I worked for the corporate world for about twenty years and very recently went into business for myself. It's sure an adjustment not having to answer to anyone. But I ask myself each and every day why I didn't attempt this change sooner!
You're an inspiration!
I work for myself also, the
I work for myself also, the most difficult part I think is knowing when to call it a day and spend some time with your wife and family.
I really had to learn NOT to work in the evening.....
gr,
Remcowoudstra
Nine to Five is Just NOT MY THING
Great post. As an entrepreneur and business owner myself, I completely understand where you are coming from. I think it is not so much the scheduling aspect of it, rather just the feeling of independence, and that you don't have to report to anyone but yourself. Don't get me wrong, it has taught me a great deal about being responsible, not for myself but for others that depend on my such as Employees and clients. Like one of the other people posted above..... I truly believe this is the AMERICAN DREAM.