Matt Heerema

Getting Things Done: Make Time to Make

I’m not sure how many times I’ve recently told people that “my job has changed dramatically” and “all I do” now is answer e-mail and attend phone calls, whence my comment on twitter about being able to do 90% of my job on my new iPhone 3G (which continues to amaze me).

I have definitely felt off my game, unproductive, and am staring down the barrel of managerial irrelevance. If I’m not able to continue sharpening my design and development skills, and spend all of my time on project management and people management, then very soon I will no longer be a Web designer.

Having read Merlin Mann’s recent series “Make Time to Make”, I don’t think my problem lies in the phone calls and project-related e-mail. It’s all the e-mail requests for help and ideas, Twitter, and incessant IMs that keep me off my game.

Now I just need to figure out how to manage that.

Constant, short, queries from my team via e-mail and IM are a constant part of my day, and an important (?) part of my job. Many of these require a near immediate response. Maybe I need to accept my fate as a manager. Thoughts?

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7 responses to “Getting Things Done: Make Time to Make”

  1. Gerasimos Avatar
    Gerasimos

    Was it your decision to be in this position? Had another choice?

    After 10 years as a web designer even when i take a break for holidays, let’s say 15 days, i can’t get back easily with things. Now you r talking about a different job. If you don’t want to spend your presumably precious spare time on keeping in touch with web design trends, techniques or whatever, then i think you should just accept your fate as a manager.

    There might be some advantages having this position though? Are there any?

    Reply
  2. Matt Avatar
    Matt

    I definitely enjoy the position, actually, my only fear, as I mentioned, is the inevitable irrelevance, the metamorphosis into the pointy haired boss who used to know the way things worked. So, trick is to keep my hands dirty with code and design.

    As for having a choice, not really. It was the natural evolution of the position. Like I said, though, I do enjoy it.

    Reply
  3. Gerasimos Avatar
    Gerasimos

    If it’s the natural evolution of the position, you should just enjoy it as you do. Keep in touch with things for you. Start a new project.Nothing fancy or the next big thing (u never know though). It would help keeping you close with your previous job.

    Reply
  4. Erik Sagen Avatar
    Erik Sagen

    Your fears of becoming irrelevant are real but you’re not alone. I felt that way during that week I filled your shoes.

    Speaking as one of the “team” you mention above my only suggestion would be to remember to do your own personal projects (dirty with code and design). They will keep you grounded, sane and relevant in this fast-changing industry where up becomes sideways.

    Plus you got the parallax technique down pat. We all know that’s the next trend.

    Reply
  5. Website Avatar
    Website

    The trick is to keep my hands dirty with code and design.

    As for having a choice, not really. It was the natural evolution of the position. Like I said, though, I do enjoy it.

    Reply
  6. Emma Lemione Avatar
    Emma Lemione

    Thanks for sharing such information!
    Animal Farm Perth

    Reply
  7. Dee Avatar
    Dee

    Thanks for this lovely page

    Reply

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