Whoops! It's suddenly summer for good.
Last we looked, Summer was right on the water's edge, fishing a long-lost floatie from the shallow end. So bam! Next thing you know, there's the 4th of July fireworks, cannonballs hitting the sunscreen slick from the deep end.
It doesn't matter.
Summer has arrived – anyway – and has brought with it a beach bag full of sage old advice just for you, dear freelancer.
But forget all that. Summer is no place for no-nos and tales of caution. Instead, here are 6 research-based reviews of outdated advice to help you live a productive, loving life through the precious summer.
1. Resist the urge to get outside> Get your $ outside.
Everything is better outside. Sure, the colors are brighter and the air is cooler, but the benefits don't end there. Your stress levels drop while your memory and attention span improve. A little sunshine can do wonders for your vision of the task at hand.
2. Don't go crazy with this vacation> Vacation it up.
There's been a lot of talk lately about vacation phobia, vacation deprivation, and our nation without a vacation. Since we don't have much vacation time to begin with, we better take full advantage of the days off we have. It's a matter of life or death.
3. Keep your eyes on the prize> Take the time to explore.
The two holy grails of freelancing — sparking creativity and getting things done — don't have to be at odds. The Maker movement's tinker-to-learn philosophy, centered on children, applies to all of us. Even if you only discover one or two wildly useful apps (try Podio.com for teamwork or PandaDoc.com for contracts), it's unlimited time well spent.
4. Budget, budget, budget> A little splurge never hurts.
When did summer become a villain in the spending saga of our lives? Maybe it's your post-polar vortex festivities or your elaborate holiday plans. But don't worry too much about breaking the bank – just loop in a time of anticipation, story-worthy experiences and bounty to make the most of your summer spending.
5. Cap your social calendar> Socialize erryday.
Looks like you can't click a link here without going headfirst into the regular calendar tips. And summer is an endless source of temptation to step away from your tried and tested work hours. But the solution is not to block projects with friends, but rather to make social engagements part of your daily routine. So go ahead and shake those idiots, meet new people and expand your horizons all the time.
6. Work on your business> Work on yourself.
There's no better omen for your career than when the lines between work and play start to blur. So, absolutely, turn that momentum into more and more success. Savor the signs that you're doing what you're supposed to do. But don't lose sight of the other side of the coin; taking care of yourself is also taking care of business 🙂
