Downtime considerations for freelancers

18 Dec

We’re at the end of the year and for some of us, that may mean a break from work; a pause in proceedings; a chance to ‘regroup.’ As a freelancer of nine years, here are some things I would recommend considering during this downtime for those like me and the self-employed small business owners.

Rest

It’s hard running your own business and it takes its toll, especially if you’re juggling another job, a family or just life in general! Rest is really important for our physical and mental well-being so put on that ‘out of office’ and close the laptop. It doesn’t have to be for the whole break, but I would definitely recommend stepping away for a good chunk of time.

As freelancers we tend to panic that we’re missing out on work opportunities if we’re not always ‘on’ which is understandable. At times of the year when a lot of the world is slowing down (such as December) then you should be OK to take some time away from the constant slog of being available for work.

For me, I find that giving myself dedicated time away plus, importantly, notifying others that that’s what I’m doing, allows me to live more in the moment and frees up my energy. I know, it’s such a cliche but it’s true! I don’t stress about what I should be doing so much and as a result, I do relax. Less late-night working means better sleep too and I find that my creativity is reignited - suddenly I’m seeing solutions to problems, a great turn of phrase for a tricky-to-explain concept and a new way to market what I do.

Digital Detox - yes/no?

‘Comparison is the thief of joy’ (another cliche) and checking social media is one of the worse instigators. But for many of us, scrolling = downtime so it can be a tricky balancing act. I would recommend minimising time on social media, especially on your business account/s but if’s it something you rely on to relax then continue.

Once the creativity flows …

OK, so for me, and I hope for you, after a period of relaxing (no idea how long exactly, but for me, it’s usually a couple of days; there isn’t a formula), the brain starts doing its thing and spitting out some great ideas.

You might feel the urge to reopen the laptop and in some cases this might be the right thing to do but, hold your horses), I’d like to propose another option: let the ideas sit there and simmer.

Mull them over.

Play with them.

And let your brain work on them subconsciously.

By all means, jot them down on paper, (as freelancers we always have something to write on near us, am I right?!) or in your phone; brainstorm them with your family and friends and add to the notes (don’t do more than that just yet!); use some coloured pens or fancy apps to make them look pretty and doodle. But for me, the critical part, is letting them swirl around my brain. I am a great believer in ‘sleeping on things’ and this is just that.

Easing yourself back to work

As well as letting your brain work its magic, you could also make a concerted effort to ponder some freelancing matters. Here are some areas to consider.

Your business basics

Ask yourself if you’re still doing what you set out to do. If it’s changed, are you ok with that? If you’re not attracting the customers you want, think about why that might be and what you can do differently.

Is your business still aligned with your values? It’s important to think about how your values are reflected in different parts of your business.

It’s also a good time to think about your product or service range. Research the key trends in your industry and think about how you can maximise those, if that fits in with your strategy. What are your competitors doing?

In short, it’s good to reflect on what you’ve achieved and what you’d like to achieve and see how you can make it happen or make it happen more! A business coach would be a good person to consult if you’re in any doubt.

Freelancer websites

How’s the website doing? Does it need a refresh - blogs, images, copy? Just as wearing new clothes can make you feel good, so can updating your website. Don’t forget your web page’s analytics to see where clients are going, how long they’re spending on your website and at which point they leave - all very valuable data.

Social media presence

Again, it’s a good idea to check the data and think about how your social media is performing. But if you’re still in your digital detox then leave it until you’re back to work in January!

Changes to your business

‘Is your business working for you?’ is an important question. If not, then something needs to change.

Do you need to network and meet different people? Do you need to meet people in a particular industry?

Are you so busy that you could either outsource or take on staff? Yeay for you or …

On a more serious note, are you making enough income to stay afloat? It’s a biggie but it might be that your business isn’t working.

Also, while you’re hopefully enjoying this seasonal downtime, think about whether you plan sufficient breaks at other times of the year. Do you exercise during your working week or is it too difficult to factor into the 9-5? Perhaps you could schedule and actually diarise a daily walk (and I highly recommend no ear phones or distractions as it’s another opportunity for your mind to wander). I know, I know, easier said than done but even if you make one out of five walks one week and four out of five the next, these micro-breaks are valuable. So valuable.

‘Serious’ tasks for freelancers

I keep laughing at ‘serious’ tasks as though I have a serious, frowning face on and am looking stern. But, seriously, at this time of year, it’s important to think about your tax return (this is not a sponsored post; I’ve just been last minute too many times). If you haven’t submitted it already, make the most of this time to sort through receipts and invoices and start the process (if it’s something you do yourself). Taking the first step is the most important and then you’re off so jump through all those HMRC login hoops and get filing.

Other serious tasks would be to check that any insurance is up to date and also that any qualifications and licences that you need to perform your role are appropriate for what you do and in date.

Could you outsource any of these tasks to someone else in the new year to free up some time? Don’t forget to check out the outsourcing guide I compiled last January here.

While there is some practicality here, my biggest recommendation is to relax, put your feet up and let your brain have a rest. Or at least, focus on something else like cooking a turkey, where to drag the kids for a walk or how you can find a quite nook for a read.

Caroline Kings