Using the Must, Should, Want Framework for a Better Work-Life Balance

It’s no secret that graphic design, especially when you work in a freelance capacity, can be a very hectic industry. You may find yourself working on multiple projects, long hours, and chipping away at the weekends.

However, maintaining a good work-life balance as a freelancer is essential for long-term success and wellbeing. The Must, Should, Want framework can help achieve this balance, ensuring you prioritise effectively and avoid burnout.

In this guide, we'll explore the framework in detail and discuss why a balanced approach to work is crucial for freelancers.

Why is a Good Work-Life Balance Important?

Freelancing comes with many benefits that you don’t get with traditional career paths, one of which is flexibility and autonomy. However, it also comes with its downsides, a primary one being the risk of burnout.

Without the boundaries of a traditional job, it's easy for work to seep into personal time, leading to stress, fatigue, and diminished productivity. A good work-life balance helps maintain mental health, increases productivity, and improves overall quality of life.

Burnout is defined as a “state of complete mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion.” And due to the pressures that can be present in freelancing, especially if the right precautions aren’t put in place, burnout is a real possibility.

According to a survey by UK-based mental health charity Mind, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem each year, and work-related stress is a significant contributor.

For freelancers, the lines between work and personal life are often blurred, making it essential to establish boundaries and prioritise wellbeing.

What is the Must, Should, Want Framework?

The Must, Should, Want framework is a simple method for organising tasks based on their importance and urgency.

This approach helps freelancers manage their workload efficiently, ensuring essential tasks are completed while leaving room for personal interests and relaxation.

This framework requires us to slightly reframe how we think about productivity. When we think of “being productive” as more than just getting work done, and instead how we approach our lives as a whole, the Must, Should, Want framework’s potential comes into full view.

Breaking Down the Framework

For this framework to function correctly, you need to restructure how you organise your time and think about the things you do during each day. It requires you to categorise your tasks into three lists, namely Must, Should, and Want.

Each of these categories will then allow you to structure your days to ensure there’s a good mix of things you need to get done, and things you want to get done.

Let’s look at a breakdown of each list type, and the type of tasks that can be included within.

The Must List

These are tasks that are critical and non-negotiable. Failing to complete these tasks can have significant consequences, such as losing clients or missing crucial opportunities. Consider these tasks that you absolutely must get done today.

Things included in this list can be urgent client deadlines, projects that need immediate attention or work, and essential business operations, like finances.

This is similar to the “do first” quadrant in the Eisenhower Matrix.

The Should List

These tasks are important but not urgent. They contribute to long-term goals and personal development but can be scheduled flexibly. This list can be focused on when, and only when, the priorities in the Must list have been attended to.

Examples include networking, skill development, and marketing activities. While these tasks are vital for growth, they can be prioritised based on availability, and aren’t urgent right now.

The Want List

These tasks are personal and enjoyable activities that contribute to a balanced life. They include hobbies, leisure activities, and time with loved ones. This is where rethinking about what it means to be “productive” comes into play.

Incorporating these tasks into your schedule helps prevent burnout and maintains a healthy work-life balance. Remember that life is supposed to be lived, and shouldn’t be all about work work work, so including things from the Want list into your daily routine is essential.

Say you love playing golf, you can have a weekly Want list where “play a round of golf” is a non-negotiable, and something you do at least once a week.

Obviously, you don’t want to let these “tasks” get in the way of the work, and you should still save the majority of your time for working toward goals. However, including them can allow you to set aside a portion of your day or your week for downtime – essential if you want to avoid burnout.

What are the Benefits of Using the Framework?

Now that we know what the Must, Should, Want framework is, and how individual tasks can be categorised into defined sections… what are the benefits of actually using it?

The primary benefit is specifically scheduling downtime into your routine to prevent burnout, however that’s far from the only one.

Let’s break down the main benefits you can reap when utilising the Must, Should, Want framework in your daily life.

• Increased Productivity: By focusing on Must tasks first, you ensure critical work is completed on time, reducing stress and improving efficiency. When you put these at the top of your to-do list, you can make sure all the important work is seen to before enjoying some downtime.

• Balanced Workload: The framework helps distribute tasks evenly, preventing overwhelming workloads and promoting a more manageable schedule. By going out of your way to incorporate downtime, you can give yourself a much better work-life balance.

• Reduced Burnout: Incorporating Want tasks into your routine ensures you have time for relaxation and personal interests, reducing the risk of burnout. This is vital if you work (or are looking to work) as a full-time freelancer.

• Improved Mental Health: A balanced approach to work and personal life supports mental wellbeing, leading to a happier, more fulfilling freelance career. Again, vital for freelancers.

It’s clear to see that the benefits to be gained from the Must, Should, Want framework far outweigh the temporary discomfort of changing the way you work and organise your life.

Conclusion

Achieving a good work-life balance as a freelancer is crucial for long-term success and personal well-being. The Must, Should, Want Framework provides a practical approach to prioritising tasks, ensuring essential work is completed while leaving room for personal interests and relaxation.

It’s important to remember that for this framework to be as effective as it can be, we need to start by reframing how we think about productivity.

Being “productive” shouldn’t just mean you’ve completed all your tasks, but it should mean you’ve spent time doing the things you love to do in order to mitigate the risks of burnout and feeling overwhelmed with work.

By implementing this framework, setting boundaries, and making time for wellbeing and enjoyment, you can enhance your productivity, reduce burnout, and enjoy a more balanced, fulfilling life.

If you’re looking for more ways to approach productivity, these Japanese philosophies can help you rethink what it means to be productive.

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