Scrambling to get work turned in? Cursing the Heavens because the holidays are filled with work? Use wise time management to make work and fun happen at once.
When the holiday season is filled with work instead of vacationing, the job is probably self employment. It’s great to work for oneself, to be your own boss, to call all the shots. But being self employed isn’t all fun and games – especially when the holiday season starts to get into gear.
Time Management Tips
Through effective time management, even self employed professionals can enjoy vacations, holidays and time away from the daily grindstone. It’s not as easy as asking the boss for a few days off in December, but it is possible. Learn a few wise time management tips that make it a little easier to enjoy those much-needed vacation days.
Advance scheduling. The schedule is the most important tool of the trade, at least when it comes to being self-employed. Keeping daily to-do lists, or having a handy calendar program can help professionals stay on top of deadlines and assignments. Missing a deadline is the worst thing any self-employed professional can do, because reputation is what keeps the paychecks coming in.
Take breaks. Everyone needs a little down time, and it’s easy to get burnt out and even bored with self employment. When all the jobs seem to be the same and everything seems repetitious, it’s probably time to step away for a little while. Even a fifteen-minute break can help professionals attack work with a fresh perspective, and often projects go a little quicker right after some “away” time. Struggling with an assignment? Walk away from it for a minute, or even a day if time allows. Sometimes, all that’s needed is a fresh, rested pair of eyes to make old projects seem new and interesting again.
Complete projects ahead of time. Want to take a few days off from the job? That’s when time management becomes a necessity, not just a good idea. Get projects finished early to celebrate a day or two away from the job. Stock up on work a little, and then it won’t matter if a few days are spent enjoying vacations and holidays.
Let employers know. Going to be “out of the office” for a few days? Let regular employers know your plans to be unavailable. Sometimes, last-minute projects and assignments might come up. Don’t risk missing a deadline, or missing out on money, simply because no one knows of your status. Employers who offer regular work should be apprised of the situation, so they don’t feel let down when their projects simply aren’t getting done.
Wise Schedules
Time management is probably one of the hardest aspects of self employment. Sometimes, there’s too little work and the days seem long and boring. Other times, too many projects might start piling up. Use time management to get everything, even vacationing, done with more ease.
