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On commissions and burnout.
6 years ago
I've been dealing with a problem for a while now.
Art commissions are my sole means of income, and they have been keeping my bills payed well enough. Theoretically, at my current prices, one or two drawings a day should be enough to keep my bills covered.
The issue is, when I fall behind, the work piles up, and I feel compelled to schedule three or four drawings a day to try to catch up, while selling even more commissions to ensure my bills are handled. Unfortuately, that's a lot of work, and It tends to burn me out quickly, resulting in additional days of missed deadlines, only compunding the problem, leaving me with a commission list full of people who have been waiting several months for their commission, and me scrambling to try to get everyone's drawings done at once.
This method has not been working, so I'm going to try something new. I'm going to open up my commission schedule for April and May at the same time, but I'm only going to schedule $30 worth of commission work per day from new orders.
Hopefully what this will allow me to do is work on the current commission list at a less grueling and more attainable pace, and if there is spill over from the current list, I can work on those commissions alongside the new commissions without suffering burnout, and ya'll get your commissions sooner than you would have if I pushed myself past my breaking point like I have been doing.
After May, if I've caught up to the lighter pace, i can start scheduling a few more commissions per month, while giving myself enough breathing room to handle delays.
Expect the new commission calendar to be posted later today, and thank you for your patience.
Art commissions are my sole means of income, and they have been keeping my bills payed well enough. Theoretically, at my current prices, one or two drawings a day should be enough to keep my bills covered.
The issue is, when I fall behind, the work piles up, and I feel compelled to schedule three or four drawings a day to try to catch up, while selling even more commissions to ensure my bills are handled. Unfortuately, that's a lot of work, and It tends to burn me out quickly, resulting in additional days of missed deadlines, only compunding the problem, leaving me with a commission list full of people who have been waiting several months for their commission, and me scrambling to try to get everyone's drawings done at once.
This method has not been working, so I'm going to try something new. I'm going to open up my commission schedule for April and May at the same time, but I'm only going to schedule $30 worth of commission work per day from new orders.
Hopefully what this will allow me to do is work on the current commission list at a less grueling and more attainable pace, and if there is spill over from the current list, I can work on those commissions alongside the new commissions without suffering burnout, and ya'll get your commissions sooner than you would have if I pushed myself past my breaking point like I have been doing.
After May, if I've caught up to the lighter pace, i can start scheduling a few more commissions per month, while giving myself enough breathing room to handle delays.
Expect the new commission calendar to be posted later today, and thank you for your patience.
I don't mind waiting, and I do hope the attempt at a lighter schedule does well for you!