Quietness within the storm | Project update

Hello RCD readers,

Today is a rest day. As I'm sitting hearing the birds chirping.  Seeing the sunrise and waiting for the day to progress. I'm recharging for the next progression of the week. 

January project 

I'm proud to announce that it's finally finished. After month's of working on this. A lot of delayments that were sometimes out of my control. From experts not responding. From me prioritising my personal life over this project because of late payment issues(bank issues) And now finally I can say the heavy load has been lifted. 

What I need to change to make my services better?

1) scheduled design meetings

Now what would I change of this design process. I never did it because it wasn't mandatory but design meetings scheduled for uncertainties.  You see because everything went smoothly here. I never needed to plan it. But what happens is. Quietness which you have no clue what your client is thinking and where they stand. And that feels frustrating as an architect visualising the client's design.  Mostly if you want a client that is happy with your services. 

2) keep the professionalism 

That is something I would keep. Staying polite but not stepping over the boundaries of client-designer relationships. In the sense the too friendly gives you an unprofessional work environment which is a slippery slope towards toxic habits from both sides.  They were such a kind couple that I had to keep reminding myself to stay professional. So I could do my best work for them

3) better time management 

As much as personal life really had some hardballs this year which I had to be flexible with my workhours. I did had to do overtime because of bad time management. For instance this project had month's of stagnation which I had to stop working on this. And work on different project's so that I had a monthly income. But with that it felt like throwing multiple balls in the air simultaneously. Juggling.  I felt like Sarah Jessica Parker in the movie " I don't know how she does it". Which is one of my favourite because it feels relatable. I can see myself in that. 

Now let's stop the rambling. The point is if I had made a work schedule for each phase a little more detailed.  I would feel more in control instead of having almost burnouts. Emphasis on almost. This year no burnouts.  The deadline is not going to be prioritised over my mental, health, sleep overall wellbeing and most important my joy. I recharge. And take breaks.

4) follow the process

This is something I do. But I had to remind myself to actually keep doing this. I created a system. Better word is procedure. 

- consultation procedure 

- offer procedure 

- design procedure in each phase 

- payment procedure 

- finalization procedure

What goes perfectly with each client is the Offer procedure.

Because I can figure out the amount of time this project will take. I can see from the get go how the design process will go when I feel my client out. And last I have good sense which prices is in the middle.  Ofcourse. For some it will still be too much.  But I've come to terms with this and not letting that bother me anymore. I know for a fact what the market is out there and I know that I'm not cheap but not too high priced. 

The consultation, design and finalization procedure needs some work.

- The consultation mostly because I'm trying the google form but being flexible who is willing to use that but I need that information to start working. So the solution is still not their. This client was flexible with both and easy to work with.

- The design procedure doesn't go as I wanted for everyone.  People hear the amount of time but still want fast designs with not enough information of the requirements.  Like mindreading. But with this information the design phase (preliminary) goes smoothly.  Which I loved. This client has never made me feel like I was doing to long. Which I appreciated.  That's why I never mind waiting on them for a response or feedback.

- The finalization procedure.  This I want to make memorable but haven't figured that out yet. But the inspiration will come to me. 

5) the contract 

I made a design contract. But I've never used it because of insecurities. Also because of too much second guessing and people already complaining about the basic online consultation. They want to skip that and move on to the designing.  Sometimes payment upfront thinking it will go quicker without me knowing what they need. But it always creates stagnation or unnecessary friction. I've also not used because I want somebody to check the legal side behind it which scares me. 

A contract creates rules for both side.  And protects both sides. But most important should be law binding agreement. 

6) leading the project

Mailing, using WhatsApp or even delivering the project personally.  It doesn't really lead the project. It creates a stillness in between which you have a waiting for response phase. I do follow ups which I contact during each phase. Which is good. But I have to be more assertive dealing with project's. Out of character but it's a growth moment that I'm working on this year. 

What follows now?

The building permit and the building cost. Those are the services the check on but that's the tricky part. She never agreed to everything officially. She said yes I have the project.  But I never heard. I agree with everything.

Now up to next blog post. Hope you like the read. If you want a project review blog post or YouTube clip let me know down below