In summer our thoughts turn to fun in the sun, afternoons by the pool and vacation. Unfortunately, most of us can’t take the entire summer off. That means we have to work while the kids are home on summer vacation, and while beautiful sunny weather is beckoning us outdoors, and it is not easy.
Here are some tips to get your work done so you will be able to take a break and enjoy some summertime fun.
Schedule your work time. Set aside time that is devoted to work, then use that time to work. One of the advantages of being self-employed is that you can work on your schedule, at least most of the time. So schedule yourself to work five eight-hour days, or four eight-hour days or five four-hour days or whatever you need to do. Then do it.
Do what you like to do, and outsource the rest. It is easier to work when you enjoy what you are doing. Plus, when you have an icky task on your to-do list, you will waste time and procrastinate to avoid it. Get someone else to do the stuff you don’t enjoy. It is worth it to get it off your plate, and you will probably be more profitable when you spend your time on the things you do best and like to do.
Set goals for the summer. Even if you cut back on your work hours, you still need to have goals. Establish goals for every work day as well as for the week, the month and perhaps the summer as a whole. Visualize how you will be better off when you reach your goals. What are you going to do with the money you earn? What other rewards will you get from your work? Working toward a specific target can keep you motivated to work even when you want to be reading a romance novel by the pool.
Reward yourself for reaching each goal. When you accomplish a goal, give yourself a reward. The rewards don’t have to be big. Buy that new novel after you update your blog. Let yourself take an extra day off when you finish that project. Show yourself that you appreciate you!
Cut yourself some slack. My natural tendency is to cram so much on my to-do list that I could never get it all done. That is counterproductive, so I have to control that overachiever urge. When you overwhelm yourself you can become less productive. Set realistic goals, and focus your efforts on the most important and most profitable tasks.
It can be harder to get down to work when you see others on vacation and enjoying the summer, but stick to your plan and your business will keep going and growing. And if your business is a little slow in the summer? You can use the summer to work on plans and products for the fall, or watch for my next post, where I will share ideas to market your business in the summer.
