taking time off

Time to Take Up Juggling

Posted on August 10, 2010 by lwidmer

Yesterday was much more productive than I expected. I finished a smallish project in the morning, then devoted the afternoon to research and outlining an article. A large project due in a few weeks ago has a delivery date – I should see it by the end of the week/Monday of next week. That gave…

Wheel Spinning

Posted on May 18, 2010 by lwidmer

Sometimes you get those weeks where nothing is getting done, don’t you? Yesterday it was a trip to the ER to make sure the chest pains weren’t serious (they weren’t – they seem to be acid reflux, amen). My man came from work to sit with me and showed about the same level of concern…

Making Time

Posted on March 15, 2010 by lwidmer

I spent Friday afternoon with my tax forms. It’s grim, but not as grim as last year, so I’m getting a little better at both the forms and the payments. The first forms are always done in pencil, and I don’t commit to ink until I’ve located every possible deduction. Even then I have him…

Posted on November 6, 2009 by lwidmer

October was a wildly busy month and November is shaping up into the same. The exhaustion I’m used to on Friday afternoon is occurring on Tuesday now. Time for a break. While I’m off today putting a chunk of copy down on my National Novel Writing Month entry, I thought I’d share a new favorite…

I Can See the Exit…

Posted on July 9, 2009 by lwidmer

After I’d alerted the parents to my impending visit, the work came piling in. I’m not saying one or two projects – try six. At once. All due – this week. Luckily a few of them took less time than I expected, though they were still required detailed work and some lengthy hours. It’s a…

Our House In the Middle of Our Street

Posted on April 17, 2009 by lwidmer

I’m heading back to my hometown today to see friends and family, but I wanted to share a little bit of Spring in Valley Forge with you. Here’s the view from our driveway. Happy Friday, everyone! See you all on Monday.

Everybody’s Working for the Weekend….

Posted on January 16, 2009 by lwidmer

Is the song stuck in your head now? Are you even old enough to remember Loverboy? Since I took the first part of this week off to host my mom, I’ll be pulling out the laptop this weekend to do some work. Fortunately, lots of work came in while she was here (and she was…

Keeping Clients Happy When You’re (Officially) Not Around

Posted on January 15, 2009 by lwidmer

Despite being off much of this week due to my mom’s visit, clients are still calling and still needing work done. Mind you, I didn’t put an “away” message on my email or phone because I decided I’d check in every evening to see if there was anything critical. In one case, I’d already promised…

Why I Hate Vacation Time Off

Posted on January 13, 2009 by lwidmer

Oh, how we all long for time off too, don’t we? But have you noticed the weird phenomenon that occurs when you go off on vacation – be it the Christmas holiday or the vacation-by-the-lake kind? The working world senses you’re about to leave and pounds you with projects. Then you come back to …….

Business Interruptions

Posted on January 9, 2009 by lwidmer

It’s slow here right now, as I suspected. One client is sending work by the bucketload, but others are silent. I’m hoping it’s simply that it takes a week for them to get back into work mode and start aligning those projects again. It won’t matter. My mother informed me she’s coming to stay with…

Devon Ellington

January 9, 2009

I don’t have that kind of guilt because I don’t work “normal” hours. I work the hours I wand and need to work to get it done. I take floating days off, and, as far as I’m concerned, the reason I freelance is so I have a flexible schedule.

Also, remember, I’ve worked in theatre all my life. I’ve NEVER had Saturdays and Sundays off. In fact, when I do, I hate them because everyone’s rushing around, totally stressing about having to have a good time on their “days off”.

I create each day, each week to suit the deadlines and the rest of my life. Getting caught up in any kind of schedule, other than yoga first thing in the morning and my first 1K of fiction for the day, is counterproductive to me and works against the reasons I freelance in the first place.

My schedule is MINE. I get to create it to suit ME. As long as I meet my contracts, it’s no one else’s business when that happens.

Devon Ellington

January 9, 2009

That should read “want” not “wand” — my Freudian slip is showing.

Dont Forget To Write

January 9, 2009

I feel guilty about that most days I’m doing anything except working or looking for work. Even if I’ve purposefully scheduled time off and tell myself to enjoy it.

Susan Johnston

January 9, 2009

Boy do I know that feeling! Right now I’m apartment-hunting which is very necessary but takes a huge chunk of my time and attention. But I think that once I’m settled in a new space, I’ll be more productive. *hopefully*

There’s your financial goal that you aspire to, because “I CAN make this much money and I want to create a cushion for myself.” And then there’s the fiancial goal that is what you actually need to pay your expenses. Hopefully they’re far enough apart to give yourself some wiggle room.

Lori

January 9, 2009

Perhaps the “wand” is a peek into your next novel? :)))

I agree in theory, Devon. I love calling my own hours. But in most cases, my clients are here 9-to-5. I try to make myself available on their timeframe, though not always. The guilt is just born into me. Plus I’m a recovering Catholic… ;))

Totally true, Susan. Can and need are often too separate, aren’t they?

I’m going to relax more this year, Dont Forget to Write. It’s just smarter and better for my overall peace of mind.

Irreverent Freelancer

January 9, 2009

I have trouble shutting off the freelance switch too. I make myself take off most weekends and holidays. Otherwise, I’d probably work them too.

And you’re not alone in the slowdown. It was a fairly slow week for me too.

Finally, if you do drive cross state today, be careful. We’re supposed to get a doozy of a storm up here. That’s on top of all the ice, which has rendered me currently stuck at the top of my driveway.

Lori

January 9, 2009

Thanks, Kathy. :))

Angie Ledbetter

January 10, 2009

You’re suffering from Freelancers Scrupulosity (-locity?). There are support groups. 🙂

Best word verification ever here today: unpoo!