Evening, dudes 🌈 This week’s HomWork challenge is to reflect on how I want the rest of this year to pan out, and the answer is to follow what I value ✨ This is intentionally kinda vague as it covers a few different things I’ve been thinking about recently.

1️⃣ Valuing my own skill. I’m gonna level with you here, I’ve been working as a freelancer for half the rate that I could be charging for a pretty long time. After chatting with new pal @delphiejoy, I found out I’ve been under selling my skills as a designer. So moving forward, I’m not going to beat myself up about whether I’m worth asking for a reasonable rate, and having healthy discussions with current clients about my rates and the value I add to their business. Thank you @delphiejoy for being a massive source of encouragement! I’m also really keen to have frank discussions about rates with other designers, if you’re interested, email me!

2️⃣ Valuing learning. I’ve just started some courses offered through #googlegarage which have been great! I’ve been brushing up on business practices and digital marketing, as well as expanding my vocabulary so I can be a more effective strategist, and therefore a better designer.

3️⃣ Valuing community. I’ve wanted to do #volunteering again for a long time. After some half hearted attempts that haven’t eventuated, I decided a great option is to use my professional skills to help social or ecological community organisations. I’ve made contact with one, and I’m on the hunt for more. If you have an org in mind, let me know in the comments or DM me!

4️⃣ Valuing my time. Working at home really blurs the home/work lines and I often drop everything to go and do work. This is good as I don’t find it too difficult to motivate myself, but it can be problematic when it means I neglect other stuff in my life. So valuing time spent on things other than work and staying in the moment is another focus for the rest of this year.

Thanks for reading! What are you focussing on for the rest of this year?