How to Manage Stress and Deliver Quality Work for Clients

When we onboard any client, we want to make them happy at every point of interaction. Be it our communication, our process or the deliverables that we got hired for in the first place. We want to deliver quality every single time.

But unknowingly, we often burden ourselves with a piling set of expectations and start stressing about delivering performance.

Yeah, let’s admit it. We are creatives and that performance anxiety is real. And when we carry that for long, project after project, we feel burned out. And it isn’t a great position to be in.

But hey, with a few simple strategies, we can learn to manage our stress and focus on doing our best work. This comes from my own experience of dealing with client work for over the last 8 years of working in the tech industry. I have worked as a designer, developer, writer, SEO guy and product owner. So trust me you’re hearing it out from someone who has seen it all while being in it.

So here are my ways to manage stress and deliver quality work for clients:

Live in the now

We often tend to think a lot about an uncertain future.

A lot of baseless “what ifs” often take you nowhere. If you are sitting alone in your own room thinking - What if the client says something bad about my work? What will I do then? Trust me, you’re probably wasting your time.

Instead, try shifting your focus to the now and see what you have in hand. Whether you think about your past regrets or think about a baseless future, it won’t have anything to do with what you’re doing now.

How? Two Crucial things

Set realistic expectations

It's important to be realistic about what you can achieve in a given time frame. Don't set yourself up for failure by overcommitting or underestimating the amount of time a project will take. Be honest with yourself and your client about what you can realistically deliver, and communicate any challenges or delays as soon as possible.

Break down the project into smaller tasks.

Whatever you have in hand for work, at times it is going to be overwhelming and difficult to know where to start. Make sure you’re breaking the work down into smaller, more doable tasks, that can make progress and build momentum.

When you get those 2 crucial things right, it's time to focus on...

Taking breaks.

It's important to take regular breaks while working, especially when working on a challenging project. Taking a short walk, doing some stretching, or simply stepping away from your computer for a few minutes can help to clear your mind and recharge your energy.

Practising mindfulness.

Mindfulness is the practice of bringing non-judgmental awareness to the present moment. It can be a powerful tool for managing stress and staying focused on the task at hand. Try practising mindfulness for a few minutes each day, focusing on your breath and letting go of any distracting thoughts. I have used apps like Headway and Calm and they do you help you with getting a good head start.

Staying organized.

Keeping track of deadlines, tasks, and communication with clients can be a challenge, but staying organized can help to reduce stress and ensure that nothing falls through the cracks. Use a to-do list, a calendar, or project management software to stay on top of your work. I personally like a combination of google tasks, calendar and Trello for personal use. When it comes to managing things with my team, I prefer Clickup or Taskade for small tasks.

Now final two pieces of the puzzle.

Communicate with your client.

Communication is key when working with clients. Be clear about your expectations, deadlines, and any challenges you encounter along the way. Keep your client updated on your progress, and ask for feedback when needed. By staying in touch with your client, you can build trust and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

And celebrate your successes.

Finally, it's important to celebrate your successes, no matter how small. When you complete a task or meet a deadline, take a moment to acknowledge your hard work and feel proud of what you've accomplished. Celebrating your successes can help to build confidence and motivation, and reduce stress as you move forward with your work.

So, managing stress and delivering quality work for clients is all about taking small, consistent steps.

Just make sure you live in the now and enjoy being you while being part of the process.

Wishing you more power and success to you.

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