Open Thread: Do You Do Anything Different In the Summer?
Posted May 30, 2010 in Open Thread
One of the advantages of the freelancing lifestyle is flexibility–the ability to turn down projects and basically set your own schedule.
When it comes to summertime, I know that freelancers usually take one of two approaches:
- Slow down and take time with friends and family or go on trips and vacations
- Full speed ahead–business as usual
Some of our recent posts about vacations got me wondering about what our readers have planned for this summer. Will you slow down or go full speed ahead?
Do you do anything different in the summer?
As for myself, I will be working most of the summer. But, I do plan on taking a vacation and some scattered days off to spend more time with my family.
What will you do? Leave your answers in the comments.
Image by minds-eye
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About the author: Laura Spencer is a freelance writer from North Central Texas with over 20 years of professional business writing experience. If you liked this post, then you may also enjoy Laura’s blog about her freelance writing experiences, WritingThoughts. Laura is also on Google+.
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27 Comments
Jordan Walker
May 30th, 2010 at 8:51 amFull speed ahead – in flip flops, sunscreen, and a freshly made caipirinha.
Nicole Foster
May 30th, 2010 at 9:35 amBeing a full-time student, I get off in the summer so I take on more clients and projects for myself.
Sharon Hurley Hall
May 30th, 2010 at 9:55 amI work fewer hours as my daughter’s at home, so I want to spend more time with her. We usually also take a family vacation for a couple of weeks during the summer. Apart from that, it’s business as usual – though with more of a need to keep track of my time.
Joe Valdez
May 30th, 2010 at 10:05 amIn the summertime I try and take more time off and hang out with the family. It gets tricky when it comes to taking a vacation because you have to wait for a break in client projects, which you can’t plan for.
Deb Ng
May 30th, 2010 at 10:29 amI cut down on my workload a bit. Also, I’m a firm believer that a strict block of time to work each day makes us more productive. During the summer I’m more flexible as I spend time driving kids to swim dates, tennis lessons, fishing class, etc.
One thing that helps me cope is having a smart phone – so while I’m waiting for tennis lessons to be over I can respond to email, etc.
Tanel
May 30th, 2010 at 11:05 amI’m taking time off as much as I can. Reject as many jobs as possible. At the same I will work on maintenance and panic situations.
It’s a nice plan and it won’t usually work out, but it’s nice to dream about such a summer?
TheAL
May 30th, 2010 at 3:10 pmSummer would be the time of year I wouldn’t mind being the busiest. I am an outdoor kind of person in the spring and autumn. I wouldn’t mind an excuse to stay indoors all summer with the a/c on. ;-)
I love focusing on personal projects and tons of cool Halloween stuff in the autumn, so for me that’s when I cut back a little.
Men's Online Magazine
May 30th, 2010 at 3:32 pmI usually take more business trips over the summer just because it is nice weather
Cyndi Smith
May 30th, 2010 at 5:07 pmThis is a “special” summer for me: the last summer before my little girl goes to full time school (1st grade), so I’m absolutely positive that I’m doing things a little differently. I cut huge swaths of time out of my days to take the laptop to the beach or travel. I mean, WHY ARE WE WORKING ANYWAY?
:) Cyndi
paul
May 30th, 2010 at 9:44 pmthe children are off school the whole month of July. We’re going to Europe to stay with my parents.
I’ll still be working, but I’ll take a few days off.
Stephanie
May 31st, 2010 at 12:36 amDuring the summer I usually go full-speed ahead since I’m not attending classes at the university, but this year I have no choice but to take time off because our DSL connection’s not yet installed in our new place. I’m using mobile internet at the moment.
Stephanie
May 31st, 2010 at 1:41 amNormally during the summer I’m full-force with my work. But this year I’m forced to take time off (not that I’m not enjoying the free time) because we just moved to a new place and our DSL connection hasn’t been installed yet. Hopefully it’ll get installed soon. ;)
Brandon
May 31st, 2010 at 11:40 amnot much different for me. i live in Florida :)
Eric
May 31st, 2010 at 3:53 pmWe have several vacation trips planned which will be of the “no contact with clients whatsoever” variety. I notify them all in advance. Then there will be a couple of “working vacations” (oxymoron? Or simply moronic?) where I’ll handle pressing matters but not be in constant touch.
Most good clients are very understanding of the need to take time off, especially during the summer. They’re probably doing the same thing.
Freelance FactFile
June 1st, 2010 at 4:24 amSummer is usually a busy time for me, as clients want stuff writing (websites, brochure copy etc) for September launches.
Radu Prisacaru, UK Internet Marketer & Web Developer
June 1st, 2010 at 4:42 amfound your site on del.icio.us today and really liked it.. i bookmarked it and will be back to check it out some more later. I invite you to see my post, I hope you will find interesting too.
TLC
June 1st, 2010 at 10:23 pmI will be beefing up my marketing this summer, as well as finishing the remodeling of my office/basement. My 15-year-old son will be coming and going. Best part about working at home is being here for him so he can take part in activities at school and hang out with friends.
Tyler Termini
June 3rd, 2010 at 9:42 amFor someone who’s in school every month of the year but summer, it’s full speed ahead.
Kenny
June 4th, 2010 at 4:39 amWell in the summertime I slow-down a bit, take some scattered days of and try to get all my work done early so I can enjoy the weather the rest of the day. I already notified all my clients that I’ll be taking a 2 week long vacation in August so I have to wrap up some project and arrange some stuff so I can get a running start when I get back. But I’m a summer person, I love the sunshine and being outside so I tend to take it really easy.
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July 16th, 2010 at 6:08 amNow is a great time to install and learn new software or migrate to a new system. This is a good time to evaluate your progress toward the goals you set back. This is a wonderful time to reconnect with people you haven’t talked to in a while. The economic downturn has had a dramatic impact on charitable and religious organizations. Donations are way down while the needs of many have increased sharply. So, if you find yourself with idle time, do volunteering.
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