Day two of 2010! Wow, there should be a name for it really. The second day of the new year. And I am continuing along with my resolution to write in this blog every day. Except I am going to have to excuse myself for a bit, as I will be without internet access for a week. You see dear diary/blog, I Michelle Sullivan am going into the bush. Not just any bush, the Fiordland bush. I am, as one might expect a reformed couch potato to be, just a little trepidatious. It will probably rain a lot, there will be mossies, and my feet will hurt, and the pack will be too heavy. There, that’s my moaning out of the way. The plus is that it will be glorious country, remote, peaceful and a wonderful and awe inspiring photo opportunity will be just around every corner.

Yes, I am looking forward to it, and also keen to know just how fit I am now. Now that I’ve been walking pretty much 2 hours a day up hills and down them again. Of course, putting a pack on your back changes things somewhat.

So, what else have I been up to or pondering on this the second day of the year. Well, I finally got my act together and created some website design packages for future clients. This gives me and the client some certainty over what they will get, rather than me quoting on a job, and then giving away too much of my time or expertise. That expertise is something I am having to learn to value more, and not fall into the common trap of the self-employed – the great destructive void of self-doubt and lack of confidence in one’s abilities. In this big old world, and vast online world, it’s very easy to become overwhelmed at how good other people are. I have my own style, and that is something I hope to cultivate even further this year. It’s great to look at what others can do and marvel at how clever they are, but psyching oneself out is counter productive! My web bible is that wonderful website Smashing Magazine, and I draw inspiration from it on a daily basis. And not just design inspiration, it has tips and information on all parts of the web biz, especially for freelancers like myself. I even bought their book, and I am contemplating taking it on my tramp (that’s hike for non-kiwi’s).

Recently, there was an article about how to get really good at design. The simple message was ‘practice’ and practice every single day. I’m going to take that on-board this year, and somehow (when I have access to a computer) do design every day. I may even just re-design people’s websites for the hell of it  – just to get the creative thought processes going.

Well, that’s probably enough for today, it’s past 10.30pm now, and I need to be up and ready for a long day tomorrow.

Adieu blog.