A couple of weeks ago, I sent out a newsletter discussing logo design mistakes I made early in my career.
The response was great—many of you found it helpful and asked if I could share similar insights about growing as a designer.
Well, ask and you shall receive! I’ve compiled a list of 5 crucial lessons that I’d share with my younger self if I could travel back in time.
1. Value Feedback (Even When It Hurts)
When starting out as a design apprentice, I received some tough feedback on my work. Initially, I reacted defensively—after all, no one likes hearing their work isn’t up to standard.
But, looking back, that constructive criticism helped me identify weaknesses in my skillset and helped me improve quickly. Instead of taking it personally, I learned to view feedback as an opportunity for growth.
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Say No
As a new freelance designer, I used to say yes to every opportunity (something I would still advise others to do).
However, as my business grew, I realised that not every client or project was the right fit.
Saying yes to projects I didn’t really want to work on drained my energy and set me back because they often lead to burnout.
I learned it’s crucial as a business owner to protect your energy just as much as your time.
3. Establish a Routine, But Embrace Flexibility
When I finally left my full-time job as an in-house designer, I was thrilled about the freedom of working for myself. I imagined taking lunch whenever I wanted, having a duvet day if I wasn’t feeling well, and generally making work fit around my life.
However, I soon discovered that freedom without routine quickly leads to disorganised chaos.
I’ve come to realise that when you work for yourself, you actually need more structure in your life than in a 9-to-5 job, because there’s no one else to hold you accountable.
Creating a weekly overview every Sunday and outlining each day’s tasks every morning has really helped me with this. It not only keeps me on track but also ensures I’m working towards something meaningful, rather than just doing “busy work” that doesn’t really get you anywhere.
With all this said, I still believe it’s important to utilise the freedom and flexibility that working for yourself brings (after all, what’s the point of being your own boss if you never enjoy the benefits?).
One way I’ve used my freedom this year is to work from other countries for a month or two at a time. I still stick to my routine to ensure I’m getting everything done, but in my spare time, I get to explore a completely new place.
4. Celebrate Your Wins, No Matter How Small
Working for yourself can feel like a rollercoaster filled with ups and downs. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and forget to celebrate your wins.
I’ve been guilty of this. I actually think it’s a downside of being driven.
When I achieve something, my next thought is often “What’s next?”
But this is a dangerous mindset. If you’re always chasing the next goal, you’ll never realise how far you’ve come.
So whether it’s landing a new client or getting a project signed off, these wins—no matter how small—deserve recognition. They’ll keep you motivated and show your progress.
5. Client Relationships Are Everything
Being completely honest, I used to just look at clients as a means of making money.
But when I started to view them as long-term relationships, it not only led to better project outcomes but also helped me grow my business.
I learnt that it’s not just about delivering good work—it’s about being reliable, communicative, and going the extra mile.
Once I started treating every client as a long-term partner rather than a one-time gig, I received more referrals, collected more testimonials, and saw significant growth in my business.
To improve your client relationships, remember that it all starts with the first impression—your onboarding process. If you’d like to learn the onboarding process I’ve developed over the past few years while working on over 100 projects, you can enroll in my free client onboarding course here.
Learning this process ensures a smooth, organised client experience and sets your projects up for success.
I hope you’ve found these lessons insightful!
Chat next week,
Abi 😊
Comments