Finding Balance: Building Your Creative Business and Working a Day Job

I know a lot of artists (myself included) who are slowly building their creative business while working a full or part-time job. For some, the dream is to build a business that will eventually let them leave their job, and for others, they want to pursue both. So how can you do both now and not run yourself ragged or worse burn yourself out?

The answer is finding balance.

This post outlines a few strategies and mindsets to help you achieve success in both areas. I can’t teach you how to strike the perfect balance between work and life, but I hope you can implement some of these ideas as you work to build the creative business of your dreams.

Setting Clear Priorities and Goals

When it comes to striking a balance between your job and your business aspirations, setting clear priorities and goals is essential. Take some time to journal a few or all  of the following questions:

1. What do I want to be known for?
2. What DO you want for your business in one year from now?
3. What DON’T you want for your business in one year from now?
4. What 3 goals do you want to achieve in the next year?

Taking time to figure out what is most important to you and your business is an important first step in your journey. It can help you gain clarity and stay focused on your goals because we all know that as artists we are always being distracted by other shiny objects.

It also helps to look back on your answers to these questions in times of struggle or doubt. And by thinking and writing about these questions you can start developing a long-term vision for your business.

Creating Boundaries and Establishing Work Hours

If you’re anything like me this one might feel heard, but setting boundaries between your work life (your day job and your creative business) and your personal life is incredibly important. 

I’ve gone through periods when all I do is work at my day job, work on my creative business during my breaks and lunch, and come home to do more work on my creative business. While it felt like I was making a lot of progress, I was teetering right on the edge of complete burnout. 

Allow yourself time to relax and recharge. We all need time with family and friends, time outdoors, in museums, at coffee shops, and all the other places we love to visit. Don’t think of this time as a luxury, think of it as a necessity. Time away from work will help you recharge, explore your creativity, find new muses, and allow you to come back refreshed and energized. You may not be able to make a perfect time-blocked schedule of when you work and when you play, but always remember to set aside time to play. 

Utilizing Time Management Techniques

Time management is a slippery unicorn in my opinion. I have yet to find the perfect time management system, but that doesn’t mean I stop looking for one. There are so many books and studies on this topic. A few to check out are Atomic Habits, Eat that Frog, and Make Time.

I’m not going to describe the perfect time management system, but what I will say is that it’s important to explore and test out different systems until you find one that works for you. 

Self-Care and Avoiding Burnout

I think that one of the biggest struggles when you are building a creative business AND having a day job is avoiding burnout. We live in a world led and fed by instant gratification. I feel very compelled to tell you that building a business is a slow and steady process, especially when you are building that business in the margins of your life. 

I’m not a fan of the term self-care, but there is no better way to describe what you need to do to avoid burnout. Start proactively practicing balance and self-care. Self-care will look different for everyone, but here are a few ideas you could try. 

1. Sleep in
2. Watch a movie (it’s getting harder and harder for us to focus on a movie (we’ve become reel people)…flex that muscle and watch one 😉).
3. Find a new recipe and make it.
4. Go for a hike….maybe bring your dog. 
5. Take a class (maybe my potato printing class on Skillshare…or support an artist on Patreon and learn from them).
6. Better yet, find an in-person class near you!
7. Get a massage or a pedicure.
8. Buy a new art supply.
9. Volunteer with a local non-profit organization
10. Call a friend.

No matter what self-care looks like for you, remember that making time to recharge isn’t a luxury, it’s much needed. Taking care of yourself regularly will help you sustain your energy levels, maintain a positive mindset, and prevent exhaustion.

Seeking Support and Building a Network

Another key component in balancing your day job and your creative business aspirations is to seek out and build a supportive community. Building a business while working can be a slow process. There’s nothing quite like having a fellow artist and entrepreneur to turn to for advice and encouragement. If you haven’t built a community of your own yet, check out this post called, Building a Supportive Community: Connecting with Fellow Surface Pattern Designers. In the article, I go through several ways to find and build connections with fellow artists. By surrounding yourself with a supportive community, you can gain new perspectives, share experiences, and find inspiration to keep moving forward in both your day job and your creative business.

Conclusion

Balancing a day job and building a business is no easy feat, but with clear priorities, boundaries, time management techniques, self-care, and a supportive network, it is achievable. While some might see having a day job as a safety net or a stumbling block, I’ve found it takes the financial pressure off my creative business. Balancing the two can be incredibly fulfilling.

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