getting sucked back in (ugh really need advice)

nyc artist

Hi all,

So long story short, I worked for a graphic design firm for 7.5 years before finally quitting in January 2013. I was tired with the stuff I was pigeon-holed to do (business magazines when I wanted to be working on educational stuff). So I decided to go full on freelance with my graphic design starting fresh in 2013. Last year was very good, and actually my old boss turned into a big client of mine. And it was the perfect balance of freedom and consistency. We also got more educational work so I was happy as a clam.

In comes 2014, and I agreed to come on as a 4 day a week "in house" worker to head a BIG educational project at my old company. It's been going fine, but now work is getting so crazy, and I have a feeling that my boss will ask me to come in that 5th day. I need the time to still work on my other freelance projects and pretty much don't want to go back full time and get sucked back into feeling trapped and overwhelmed with keeping up with my other projects. Now it's true, my relationship w my boss has changed a great deal. I've earned a lot of respect by walking away, and coming back as a leader who sort of set my own rules. But due to the workload in this project I'm afraid it will be necessary for me to go back to 5 days. I don't know how I can tactfully avoid this if it comes up. Any advice? My boss knows I have other clients and that I am not really looking to be back on staff. Ugh. If it comes up how do I tell him no?

christinekk

Stand your ground.  There is something to be said for making a choice (vs. someone making a choice for you).  Visualize it: you're leaving his office after telling him "no."  How do you feel?  Visualize this: you're leaving his office after agreeing to the 5th day.  Now, how do you feel? 

short+sassy

 A little late to the party, but I agree.  It sounds like you are much happier with the way things are now.  Besides, what happens when the big project you are on ends?  It will be back to way things were.

When/if it comes up, I would acknowledge the boss' concerns and your understanding of the workload and schedules.  State you will help them out and work with them as much as you can to overcome those challenges, but coming back to a 5-day work week is unfortunately not an option due to the committments you have to your other clients.

nyc artist

Thank you! That's a very tactful way to approach it! Actually since I've last written, it turns out that I'll be moving to a neighboring state and commuting now to work (kind of a hellish commute of nearly 2 hours each way). There is no way in HELL I'm working that 5th day now, and may even come to my boss with a proposal that I work from home on that 4th day. The commute is gonna be so rough and with skype and joinme.com and googlechat, there's no reason I can't be in on meetings and such from home. lol....it will be interesting to see how that goes if it comes up. But I'm way more comfortable with saying no to the 5th day now with these new circumstances.