howdy do it: week 8
Howdy Do It came from “how do you do It,” the question Ellie & Margot found themselves asking about their freelance lifestyles, and so Howdy Do It was born, a weekly column about the things we do to keep ourselves organized, inspired and on track. Margot will be here on Mint each Monday, and Ellie will be over on Pitch Design Union at the same time.
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I’m so excited that you guys like the mixtape idea! I definitely tried to stay true to it as much as a I could, though a few times I found it hard to clear the noise enough to buckle down and give it my best for 40 interrupted minutes. I’m sure the urge for distraction will always persevere to infinity, but I think I managed to keep it in check for the most part.
For example, this week I:
- Sent out 4 proposals for new projects (fingers crossed for me buddies, my February’s looking grim otherwise).
- Cooked 3 new recipes from this book: the most delicious garlic bread I’ve ever had, refried beans with cinnamon & clove (made excellent burritos), and white beans with rosemary on greens.
- 1 inedible attempt at these pancakes. 2nd attempt with a different recipe yields ok results. Apparently I have issues with pancakes!
- Wrote only 4 blog posts.
- Spent time with friends & boyfriend.
- Probably far too many hours internetting, iChatting and emailing.
- Slept 12 hours, two times. I can’t decide if that was indulgent or necessary.
- 2 loads of laundry and kept the house mostly clean.
- For the first time, reached over 1000+ posts in my google reader. It stops tallying once you get past a thousand. I had no idea!
- Discovered the continuous play button on Hulu. Um…Countless hours catching up on 30 Rock and The Office.
- I started running again after a 6 month hiatus. (HUGE!) Ran a total of 9.6 miles. Outside. In 30 degree weather.
- Worked a total of 32.75 billable hours.
Overall I think I did pretty ok! Can’t win ‘em all, but I did manage to accomplish some stuff I’m proud of and kept a good balance between everything. I’d say a high five is in order right?
What about you? How did your week turn out?
{photo credit: Happiness in Business by Bud Caddell}
Responses to “howdy do it: week 8”
Susie
January 18, 2010 at 4:36 pmI love the idea for this column! Does this mean that your time management is becoming accountable to your viewers? I personally find your week to be pleasantly productive and fun.
Heather
January 18, 2010 at 6:28 pmGosh, I had the major pancake problems for a while until I found this perfect recipe, not sure where it came from:
1 1/2 c. ap flour, 3 1/2 t. baking powder, 1 t. salt, 1 T. white sugar, 1 1/4 c. milk, 1 egg, 3 T. unsalted butter melted.
Combine all dry ingredient in bowl mix together. Make a well in the center and pour the wet ingredients in, mix until smooth. Heat a lightly oiled frying pan over med-high heat. Pour 1/4 c. of batter, brown on both sides.
They’ve been great everytime I’ve made them.
I’ve been loving this column, thanks!
Courtney Roby Sage
January 18, 2010 at 6:32 pmI’m in the same boat! I’m always glued to the computer (as a freelance graphic designer, building my online jewelry business)—and I have a really hard time staying focused. I tried the 40 min. rule this week and it totally made a difference. Thanks!
Eve
January 18, 2010 at 8:44 pmI clearly need to visit mint more often…starting over at week #1 tomorrow and can’t wait to read more! Thanks for posting this…lately I’m feeling overwhelmed and all over the place, creatively speaking. Hoping this series can help!
alison
January 18, 2010 at 9:38 pmI might have to follow Heather’s recipe – I’ve never been able to make pancakes either! (other than from the pancake shaker mix) I’ve no idea what I do wrong, but every time they turn out horrible!
I really like the idea of this post :)
goodluck with the proposals!
Rachel Follett
January 19, 2010 at 5:45 amI have also hit over 1000 in my google reader! I have had a hard time keeping up with all the beautiful blogs out there. Good luck on your proposals!
margot
January 19, 2010 at 10:16 pmOh WOW you guys are brilliant! I’ll keep you posted on the pancakes, am also going to buy new baking powder as mine expired this month. That alone might make a huge difference!
Thank you for all your awesome feedback. Keep it coming!
Jane Flanagan
January 20, 2010 at 9:02 pmThis is such a great idea! I’ve been thinking it would be nice to have a regular meeting with some women so we could run ideas about our work by each other!