It is a pleasant 85 degrees with a hint of wind. The sky is the gorgeous blue that Colorado skies have with brilliant rays of sunshine. Clouds drift lazily by and life is great. I ride my bike with no plans other than to have the sun on my face, music in my ears (Magic Mike XXL soundtrack) and the every present feeling of being…super..chilled..out…it’s awesome.
Except
I’ve been slacking. The signs were all there. The lack of intensity with work, people saying that I seem so relaxed, and ahem, then the streams of income starting to dry up. Or was it the following comment from my mom “Michelle, do you need to work more? You seem to have a lot of free time” She was both right and wrong. I did need to work more, but I loved my time.
Just call me “slacker”
This change of pace (working less) starting around the end of June and seemed to continue until about two weeks ago. To be honest, this has been the best summer in years. I can’t say enough how great I feel but I also discovered something about freelancing that is important to remember: your income is the sum of all your efforts.
When I returned from my trip to Australia I was super focused and full of intensity. I worked my a@@ off and as a result i was very successful with my efforts to find work.
Summer with its endless sunshine, smiling faces, free concerts, and opportunities to hang out in the mountains almost derailed my business efforts. But I can’t say that I’m sorry about it or even particularly worried. Yes, I have been slacking and I don’t feel conflicted about it at all. As I continue to reconnect with my friends, begin dating, catch up on projects, and have the mental space to decide how I will approach the question “What is the best for me?” I feel like I’ve been given a gift. The gift is having more control over how I manage my life from now on.
I’ve also discovered that that I am capable of meeting the challenges that come my way. Happily summer is winding down and I feel the natural pull to work more. I’ve never mentioned this before on my blog but I used to work at a university. Every summer would be so relaxed but we would be working furiously to prepare for the new students and new projects that we would roll out during the Fall, etc. I now feel like I’ve naturally begun making that switch to preparing for the fall. I have a number of business related goals I would like to achieve and have already begun working on and planning for 2016.
The thing with freelancing is that it’s not rocket science. You just have to do the following:
- Focus
- Be consistent with your efforts
- Deliver what you say you will deliver
- Request referrals
- Speak up for what you want
- Make adjustments
- Stay “hungry”
Basically freelancing is like life. There are no guarantees. You just have to put one foot in front of the other and keep trying.
This year’s season of slacking is done.
It’s about time.
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Summer means slowly work and honestly I am glad to have some free time now in august because until a week ago I was too much busy on work side, but is so nice have a day without work where you don’t be watch your wristwatch, have sunbathing, read a book in your balcony, take a coffee with a friends and enjoy every single moment…then your batteries are recharged and you work also better!!!
I totally agree…except now I’m self-employed so there is a certain amount of consistent hard work that I SHOULD be doing! That said, I’m going hiking in the mountains today and I will enjoy every second. I’m actually wanting to work harder which is always better than resenting working harder.
Oh, I feel ya! Summer makes me want to slack too. I’ve had way too many half-day Fridays this year. Plus I just got back from a ten-day vacation. Time to get back to the grind!
Holly, I am so glad that the “switch” has been turned on where I wantto work harder. Things were getting out of control on my end. I’ll think about my plan of action as I go hiking in the mountains today LOL! Am serious.
I go through ebbs and flows of intensity myself. When I on a roll, I’m on a roll. Then there are the periods when I’m not. I want those to be fewer and far between. Have fun hiking! Maybe the fresh mountain air will give you lots of clarity & ideas!
I’m so sad-I had transportation issues so no hiking for me today LOL! I will go next week instead. I think that you’re right about the ebbs and flows of energy. I am starting to really pick up the pace and I’m EXCITED to do it. That’s the key.
I giggle a little bit everytime someone says something “isn’t rocket science”. I say to myself “good, then you totally have this covered”.
I’m glad you have a had a little time for you. Yep, you may need to pick up the pace more soon, but I’m confident you will. A little bit of scaling back during the nice months is something all freelancers should plan for!
Rocket Science! I am looking forward to picking up the pace. There are a number of goals that I’m hoping to achieve THIS YEAR so I need to get on it now!
I always find it harder when I have no specific or time pressure deadlines. If I don’t it’s so easy to procrastinate. For me I have to try to stay disciplined most of the year because I find it harder then to get back into the swing of things. But after having summers you didn’t enjoy and finally one that you do, I can see how you’d want to take full advantage of that!
I work really well with those time pressure deadlines. I am really excited to achieve some goals that I’m hoping to make happen this year. So, it’s time to pick up the pace.
I feel you. I like the weather nowadays, it’s very relaxing and it feels like I can sleep for hours, Michelle! Yea, I agree with you that we have to stop this so we can start working to earn extra money! Focus times three or more is what we all need during this time!
Focus times THREE!! It’s time to get money rolling in. This summer has been great 🙂 Thankfully I’m ready to get back to work.