FREELANCERS UNION BLOG

  • Advice

Work, Life & You: How to Stay Sane And Manage All Three

**Muttering under your breath. **Nervously bouncing your leg. Cursing at traffic. Cursing at the dog. Rushing through family dinner, only to go back to the couch to try to climb out from under a mountain of emails.

The freelancing life is stressful. You've tried "productivity tips," but there's only so far that words on a page (or screen) can go towards making your day-to-day life less crazy.

What really helps? **Learning from expert independent workers **who go through the same struggles every day and have learned unique skills. Networking with other freelancers who share your problems, face-to-face, and having an honest discussion about getting unburied.

Next Tuesday, we’re kicking off our new Freelance 360° series with a panel discussion designed to help you become an expert at juggling work/life demands and fitting in free time. You’ll hear stories, get practical advice from fellow freelancers, and best of all, meet other freelancers and share your own success (or horror!) stories for trying to "stay sane" in the wild and wonderful world of freelance.

Join us: RSVP here.

We've assembled a panel of expert freelancers:

Ilise Benun - Moderator

Ilise Benun is the founder of Marketing-Mentor.com, and offers business coaching for creative professionals. She is also the co-producer/host of the Creative Freelancer Conference, a national speaker and the author of 7 books including, “The Art of Self Promotion,” “Stop Pushing Me Around: A Workplace Guide for the Timid, Shy and Less Assertive” and "The Creative Professional's Guide to Money.” Sign up for her tips at www.marketing-mentortips.com and follow her @MMToolbox.

Jason Falk

Jason Falk opened the doors of TANKindustries in 1998. A design studio that creates brands, products, print and digital media. With 15+ years' experience in both traditional and new media, this combination has brought some of the world’s foremost marketers to Jason and TANKindustries. These includes companies such as Nickelodeon, Comcast, Yoostar, AOL, Interscope Records, Victoria’s Secret, Sony Entertainment and Porsche.

Jason holds two degrees from the Fashion Institute of Technology, in Illustration and Toy Design. He began his professional career as an Art Director in the children’s television production industry.

He pursued his interest in product branding and design as a Brand Manager on South Park and then Art Director at Nickelodeon, before deciding to broaden his scope of work with the founding of TANKindustries.

Justine Clay

Justine Clay has been helping freelance creative professionals build thriving careers for more than 15 years. As the founder of Plum Creative - a creative management agency she started in 2005 - Justine has represented a multi-disciplined roster of talent and built a track record of making the perfect match with clients that include Bloomingdale’s, LOFT, Cole Hann, Liz Claiborne, Lucky Brand, Target, Tommy Hilfiger, Vogue and West Elm.

Pitch Perfect was launched in 2010 and born of the desire to share her knowledge and experience with a wider range of creative professionals and entrepreneurs. Through a series of clear actionable steps, Justine helps creative talent identify what makes them stand out from the crowd, create a clear and consistent marketing message and build a thriving, creatively fulfilling career or business.

Michelle Ward

Michelle Ward, CPC, PCC and – most importantly! – The When I Grow Up Coach, coaches creative women to get out of their soul-sucking jobs and into work that feels like play. A Professional Certified Coach by the International Coach Federation, a musical theater actress with her BFA from NYU/Tisch, and a Corporate America escapee, she's served as an expert source and contributor for Newsweek, Forbes, Psychology Today, Yahoo! and AOL Jobs as well as speaking at SXSW, The World Domination Summit and Etsy Success Symposium. Her first book, The Declaration of You (co-written with the artist Jessica Swift) was published by North Light Craft Books in June 2013 & encourages everyone to clarify their purpose and own their uniquity.

See you there.

Can’t make it? Stay tuned: there will be more events in the coming weeks, both in New York and across the country.