Staying Focused and Productive: 6 Tips for Updating Your Design Portfolio After A Layoff

With the recent layoff in the tech industry, many designers are now finding themselves in a difficult position, trying to stand out in a competitive job market. If you’re a designer who’s currently working on building or updating your online portfolio, here are five things you can do to be more productive while staying sane and motivated to increase your chances of landing a job or freelance project.

1. Take a step back: Remember that you are not defined by your job. You have other values that make you a great person. Being laid off is never a fun experience and can be very stressful. Breathe in and remember that you are so much more than a designer. You may be a friend, a parent, a partner, and if you are a pet owner, then you are also amazing.
2. Prioritize without stress: While it’s easy to panic, start listing all the things that you want to do, all the projects that might get you hired, and all the people you can reach out to, remember to take a few minutes to de-stress. Then write down all the possibilities, and decide which ones should be prioritized first. You can’t do them all at the same time. Decide which ones should be done first.
3. Make a to-do list: One of the most effective ways to stay on track and achieve your goals is by creating a to-do list. Break down your tasks into small, manageable items that you can complete in less than an hour. This will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and unmotivated. The feeling of not finishing an item in your to-do list and seeing it stay un-crossed as the days pass can be very un-motivating. If an item stays on your to-do list for more than 24 hours, break it down to smaller steps.
4. Focus on shippable items: Make sure the tasks that you have on your to-do list about your portfolio have as many ‘shippable’ items in them as possible. You don’t have to wait until the entire portfolio is perfect to publish it. That’s just a recipe for creating yet another un-finished project. Break it down to smaller and smaller items that you can publish. Aim to re-publish your portfolio 10 times a day. Changes can be as small as updating button styles, changing one project’s description, or make a new cover photo.
5. Take breaks if you’re burnt out: It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of portfolio building, but it’s important to take breaks and give your mind a rest. Go for a walk, do some stretching, or take a few minutes to meditate. This will help you stay fresh and focused throughout the day.
6. Keep things in perspective: The job market can be stressful, especially during times of economic uncertainty. It’s important to keep things in perspective and remember that things won’t be like this forever. Take care of yourself and stay positive. If you’re reading this and thinking about what step to do next, then you’re doing great and I’m proud of you. Keep going!

I hope that these tips helped you stay more positive and reduce some stress. I’m writing this to help you as much as to help myself as I continue my search for my next position.