Happy Fridays
karen klucowicz • October 15, 2021
busy long weekends & short work weeks may surprise you
Tuesday feels like Monday. Thursday feels like hump day. Friday? Friday is always Friday.
You might hear a collective sigh of relief or a buzz of anticipation on any given Friday. Short week Fridays may add a hint of apprehension (unfinished tasks), a release of pressure (after all the work week is over today for many) or accelerated productivity as you move toward another weekend.
Long weekends don’t always mean the same to me as it does to family and friends except when it is a traditional family gathering time - then, all bets are off. They are touch points through the year, schedule-busters, or legitimate ways to shut down for a bit. I appreciate having these through the year (even though at times I resent them lol).
how is your week defined?
Whether I’m conducting a class, painting or getting ready for a team-building event, short week or not, I use Friday to finish up the week’s tidbits that didn’t get done because I feel I have a whole two days ahead of me, where there is a little less pressure to do the long term or immediate projects - why is that? My phone is not pinging off the net, I don’t get hundreds of emails, still, I’m often more productive on a weekend day than a week day. 🤷♀️ Yes I'm aware the weekends are typically for days off and breaks from "work" and time away from it is critical for your mental well being. However, my week is always all over the place. Team-building events and classes - morning, noon or night, more on the weekends, oh yes, and then my own art, not to mention the business side of art, may take place anytime Monday to Sunday, at any given hour meaning that I do not have a typical work week. It does not mean that I don't take down time but I am able to negotiate it to suit me (usually). I like the variety and I've never been a routine person so it works well for me.
switch up the moods of week days
How about you? Do you associate particular days of the week with feelings? I always try to dispel the tags/common associations some days have like 'ugh it's Monday' with 'yay, new week - fresh start', hump day with fun day, and Friday? well I've always liked Friday for the the reasons noted above. Why don't you replace a Wednesday work day with a day on the weekend? You never know what doing that may do for you and for your business.
I recognize that not all entrepreneurs feel this, and you are the one to decide how your work week is structured and what works best for your business. Team members may feel a lot of these things too as they help you build the business. Recognize that and check in with them to see what they think. You may gain valuable insight in to them and it may even help you manage your work week well.
Well that's it for today - it just struck me that I had no idea which day was which this week and thought you might feel the same.
Life of an entrepreneur, life of an artist, life in business. Good thing I love all of it!
p.s. The happy painting above is by Amy Ferrari, one of the participating artists in our new group exhibition and you are welcome to bring it to your space and keep you in your happy place (Opti-Mystic Flow, Acrylic on Canvas, 12 x 6, $250)
#entrepreneurlife #teamculture #workweek
Artists often work in isolation but require the same kinds of breaks, diversions and work strategies to stay engaged, inspired and connected. These are a few ideas to keep remote team members feeling valued.
Building a team is an art. How the potential candidate fits with existing members and the role they are seeking, ultimately creates your team culture and the success of your business. This tour of the creation of a painting, may afford you the opportunity to look at new ways to interview and hire.
The art that surrounds us is critical to our well-being. Your corporate interior should reflect, project and brand your business as well as your logo does! Inspire creativity in your clients and your team members.
Asking your team how they are, what they think and how it can be improved are critical to building and maintaining a positive team culture, and ultimately, to growing your business. Here are a few helpful methods!
Considering your thoughts and the thoughts of others make us aware – of ourselves, our relationships and communities. Visual artists show us how to do that.
As the season changes to Fall it's time to check in with yourself and your team to make sure you feel balanced so you can reach your full potential.
Our teams are in a fragile state. Time to embrace these 3R's for 2021. Reconnect. Recharge. Rebuild. We are all about relationships and this article explores how to check in on your team members and engage them in your business.
Hospitality, customer experience management and customer expectations will aid our economic recovery. How may I help you?
A new program launches in Hamilton to support emerging artists in establishing a career in the arts. A professional development program that builds the business skills of visual artists to run their art business.
Listening or talking to someone outside of your usual crew can inspire ideas or directions in problem solving that you have never considered. Artists are a great resource for that. Chat, listen, ask questions! Bring concrete ideas to abstract thoughts.
