The client and contract work can get a bit tedious at times, especially when you’d rather set your new site up, get some products selling etc! But I’ve found that organising and sticking to a set routine can help, plus if I don’t do the work, I don’t get paid, and then I’ve got a bit of a problem! A major motivator to me is concern and worry over not getting something done for a client in time. I don’t like to let people down so that pushes me to get the job done.

My personal stuff is a sideline. It’s a nice little addition of money that just gets saved in an account and is used for something big, ie. not everyday stuff. Last year we were going to use it for a holiday but instead used it to cover our house moving and insurance costs. This year I’m now hoping to put what we make towards a deposit for a house, else it’ll pay for a decent holiday (if we’re refused a mortgage).

I think to keep motivated you also need to give yourself a rest away from it. It’s easy to keep saying you need to be at home 9-5, working all the time, but then you maybe forget that you’ve not had a day off or a holiday in months. Now we tend to take an afternoon or two off each week and go out taking a few photos down the beach, or when the weather is good we’ll be off cycling. I start work at 8 and finish around 6pm so I need that break else the motivation will turn into hate for the job!