Anyone else overloaded with work?

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   Bill Manningposted 13 years ago

   As of today I have 14 websites, make hubpage articles, Squidoo lens and write for Associated Content. I belong to around 10 forums plus have my own. I go to theme parks and make youtube videos for my youtube channel. I also make and maintain websites for others.
   
   I'm kinda feeling a bit spread thin these days! With so much to do I think I'm wasting time just updating sites and going with it.
   
   I think if I cut back on half the things I do and put more time into really optimizing just some of my sites I would actually make more with less.
   
   The problem is trying to figure out what to cut back on. Yet I have more ideas on new websites I want to try also. Anyone else spend too much time just upkeeping their work and not enough really doing things to make it better?

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   logic,commonsenseposted 13 years ago

   I do not come close to having the presence on the internet that you have.  My overload is more related to plural workplace issues.  I understand your dilemna, however I remind myself, when I evaluate where I am at and what I am doing, that I made the choices to do what I do and I am the only one who can change those choices, if that is my desire.
   When I feel overloaded, I contract and go back to the core things that I feel need to be taken care of.  Once that is under control to my satisfaction, I will expand slowly once again, and renew my efforts in one area at a time.  It will bring more perspective and understanding which often leads to better quality.
   You appear to have a great deal of talent for what you do, so taking in the reins a little for a short period should not be a detriment to your continued success.
   Good luck!

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   Pcunixposted 13 years ago

   No.  I have never believed in overloading myself.
   
   It has happened to me.  I'll get too many customers, so I'll drop the ones I like the least, either handing them over to someone else I know or just telling them they need to find someone else.
   
   Money is not worth damaging your health.  Too many people never understand that they should be chasing happiness directly rather than chasing money in the hope of buying happiness later. 
   
   Take some time to smell the roses.  I've just been outside watering and weeding - it is a perfect day here in New England and I intend to enjoy it.  But then again, I intend to enjoy every day and for the most part, I do.

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   Disturbiaposted 13 years ago

   "Too many people never understand that they should be chasing happiness directly rather than chasing money in the hope of buying happiness later."
   
   This statement is so very profound and so very true.

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      Home Girlposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Well, I am still chasing that mighty dollar!

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         Pandoras Boxposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Yeah money makes the world go round. True fact. I hear ya.

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   Bill Manningposted 13 years ago

   Oh I do take my time and enjoy life. I'm a very laid back, take it easy type. Workaholics would not have too much to do with what I am doing.
   
   But I'm just making enough to live a comfortable yet simple life. So I can't really cut back on what I make.
   
   Indeed I know I should feel very lucky to be able to work at home these days with so many out of work.
   
   I just think If I was working smarter I could actually have less websites and stuff yet make more. The old "work smarter not harder" thought. I'm not there yet however.

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      Pcunixposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      That's a different question.
      
      One of the things that has really shaped  my life was learning programming.  I automate everything I possibly can.

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   Pandoras Boxposted 13 years ago

   Bill I also have nowhere near the web presence of yourself, but yeah I still can relate. I have alot of ideas in my head and plans for going forward, and I did start too many things in too short a span of time.
   
   The past few weeks I've been particularly involved in a new project that will continue for months and months. It's a good thing, and I'm thrilled I came across it. I think it will be a good money-maker.
   
   But it means I have to let almost everything else I started fizzle out for awhile. But I reckon I'm okay with that.
   
   Focus on whatever projects are most likely to make you money, if earning money is your goal.
   
   I gotta get back to work.

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   wychicposted 13 years ago

   Yep, I do know the overload feeling! I just finished with a two-month-long transcription project and have been having a heck of a time clearing off all my client projects...which I've been trying to do for the last four months, because I'd like time to spend working on my own stuff before my baby is born, but old clients keep popping up asking me to do work and it's so hard to tell a good repeat that I can't or won't do it. Now I'm working really hard to catch up on a lot of optimizing work...I got on a writing kick, got lazy, and have about 700 articles that I'm doing very little with. In addition, I have plans for an eBook underway and have been brainstorming with a web designer friend for three different websites for which I will supply the content. This is all geared toward attempting to make my paycheck with fewer hours spent so I can spend time with my family, but right now it just seems to be taking more and more hours .

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   Aficionadaposted 13 years ago

   Bill, Would it be cost-effective to hire someone to manage some of these for you (part-time, I mean, or on a short-term basis)?  Pcunix mentioned automation, too.  But I think there's a lot of value in providing opportunities for other people to work, especially if they are honing skills that will be important for the future.

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   ericsomethingposted 13 years ago

   Much as I like to stay busy, I've become intimately familiar with my own limitations and stamina. So now, every time I think about taking on a new (self-assigned) project, I look at whatever others I have and decide which one to eliminate.
   
   As far as freelance work for customers, an overload of work may mean it's a good time to increase your rates. Obviously there's a demand for your work; use it.
   
   Pcunix, good idea about the automating. You don't even need to be a programmer to do some of this; writing a small shell script or .bat file isn't difficult. Back in my DOS days I had a directory full of home-brewed .bat files that automated a good part of my work.

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    Precious Williamsposted 13 years ago

    14 websites are an awful lot.  I think you have to be honest with yourself about why you're doing this.  You say that you have a comfortable living - but can't afford to lower your income. You say that you feel as if you are spreading yourself too thinly.  Well you have already answered the question yourself.  You need to work more effectively.  Do you really need to maintainb 14 sites.  Concentrate your efforts on less and I am sure you would earn better money and that should still leave you time to put into action your new ideas.  You clearly are very organised - so you ought to look at your time and assess how much you will give to the ongoing projects and how much to anything new and stick to it.  Best of luck.

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11. 68

    Bill Manningposted 13 years ago

    Thanks for all the replies. I actually waste a lot of time checking my stats, talking too much on forums and just don't put enough effort into my work.
    
    I bet I don't work more than 20 minutes out of each hour, the rest is all wasted. So yeah, I need to get more organized.
    
    I also should cut out a few sites that are not doing that much. Just wasted time if they don't make anything. But, you never know how much you can make with a new niche unless you work on new sites.
    
    Anyhow I'll do something before I get too uptight. Stress does not agree with me.

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    Richieb799posted 13 years ago

    The time will come when you will have that little extra time between upkeeping your sites and you will be able to do those ideas you want to make them better!

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