I have a friend who reads Social Tools and loved my post about accountability where I decided to make getting my graphic design company’s site up and running a priority.  Every time he saw me on Facebook or when we spoke on the phone, he’d ask me, “So when will your site be up?”  And this constant questioning bugged me because honestly, I didn’t know.  But this is what happens when you publicize that you’re going to do something; people hold you accountable.  It’s a good thing.

This friend asked me again just a few minutes ago - we’re both night owls and are up chatting on Facebook - and I told him again that I didn’t know.  He replied, “Your [post] was so inspiring and motivated me, and now I see the truth of the matter.”

Hmm.  Ouch.

The truth is, I haven’t forgotten my site.  In fact, it’s mostly finished.  But I haven’t felt like it was there yet; not quite ready for public consumption.  For one thing, I had no idea what I wanted to go on the front page.  And a website has to have to have a front page for all the obvious reasons.

I’d been talking with another designer friend and fellow CFCer, Pennycooke, who suggested putting a shot of my latest project on the front.  Hmm, yeah, I don’t know. A friend and mentor said to remember that my site will never be a finished project; it will always be in flux, so don’t fret too much about it.  And I knew that in the back of my head, but I appreciated him reminding me of that fact.

But it’s only now that I realize why the site’s not finished.  I told my friend a few minutes ago, and I’ll tell you, too:

I gave myself a get-my-butt-in-gear deadline, and I needed that.  But that deadline, quite honestly, was chosen arbitrarily.  I realize that yes, I could have just thrown some pictures of my work up on a hastily put together website, but that’s not me.  Never has been.  Plus, the text on my site required more thought and consideration than what I could think up in a week.

And I like to take my time to think about things.  Most people think good design (or good writing) comes in a flash, but that’s not true.  It’s a process.  You have to think about it and put something down on paper (or on screen), then think about it some more.  At least, that’s what I do.  And my end-product is all the better because of it.

But back to the subject - I hate making rush decisions.  And the more someone presses me to choose, the more I like to pause and think about the decision before actually making it.  I don’t make too many decisions  - and especially not BIG decisions - without sleeping on it for a night or two at least.  Why should I think my website would be any different just because I was the one who was pressing for a decision?

Around 3 a.m. - seriously, about 45 minutes ago - I just finalized (in my head) what I wanted to be on the front page.  I’ve also decided to add a page to my site about the process of working with a graphic designer.  People like to know what a process will be before they get started.  How will the relationship start?  How will it work?  And how will that relationship with Element K Creative provide a solution that is tailored to their specific needs?

See?  You want to know, too, don’t you?

It’s all coming … in due time.