Merry Christmas: Now Take a Break!

I must confess: I’m having a hard time wrapping it up today.

You see, after today I’m taking a 3-day break from my labors, one of the few times in a year I put my work to the side for more than one day. It isn’t because I’m addicted to my work, rather my work is constant and affords me little time to take off. Unless I don’t want to earn money!

This year I planned it so that I would have three days off for Christmas, given that the holiday is on a Sunday and the following day is a legal holiday. Who wants to work when everyone you know will be celebrating?

Today is “finish up” day and I’m tying together all of my loose ends before I log off. Early this morning, well before sunrise, I found myself awake and once I was ready to write I wrote five articles. The writing muse within me took over and I was able to come up with five original stories, source my information, complete my edits and upload each article. That allowed me to finish next week’s assignments for a client days in advance and turn my attention to the loose ends.

Ah, but I also chose to work out of the home today, thinking that the distraction of having my wife and children nearby would make it difficult to work. Nada.

At the cafe I like to call home at least once a week, it is quiet with few people coming and going. Still, I managed to strike up a conversation with someone I hadn’t seen in months and thus began my downward spiral into my “I can’t wait to hang it up for Christmas,” mood.

So, I decided to take a break and write this article, one I have been mulling around in my head for the past few days. Besides wishing you a “Merry Christmas,” I wanted to simply encourage you to take a break too.

If you can’t put your work to the side for more than a day or two, then take smaller breaks and work part of the day and simply goof off the rest of the day. Visit family. Entertain friends. Take in a movie. Go bowling. Relax.

When I do come back to work on Tuesday, it will be only for half days for the rest of the week. My advanced planning has given me that luxury and I know my family will be glad to see more of me and I, them. Come Jan. 2 I expect to be back working at my fevered pace, but maybe with the knowledge that my R&R did me much good.

It’ll do you good too. Your work can probably wait and your clients may have long scattered to their vacation destinations, giving little thought to pending projects, deadlines and a host of other “things to do” that are part of our daily schedule.

Meanwhile, I’m returning to my last article and expect to have it done well before my self-imposed 6 p.m. deadline. Merry Christmas!

Summer Breaks For Writers!

Putting the brakes on your writing.

With our kids off from school for the summer, our thoughts have turned to getting away from it all for the day, for an extended weekend or even longer. Unlike most years we haven’t planned a long trip away from home this year, but we have left open the possibility of dropping everything and heading out.

I am not the only freelancer who is juggling his or her schedule to fit the needs of clients and family members. Not too many people I know are able to schedule a full two-week break and head off to some faraway destination. A few days here or there seem to be the norm with some writers making spur of the moment plans and then taking their leave.

There is one thing we all seem to be in agreement on: we need the occasional break if not only to allow us to enjoy some respite from our writing schedules, but to allow us to see that there is a tangible world out there, far beyond what our laptops and personal computers have to offer.

To encourage you to take some time off before Labor Day, I am offering up the following excuses freelancers make for NOT taking a break. I get to refute each one, so please follow what I have to say closely.

My plate is full and I can’t take time off. Well, so is mine. I’ve been blessed with more work than I’ve had in quite some time and it would be easy for me to not go away. Still, something “else” beckons including my wife and children who want to get away.

I’ve got this project due next week. Yes, I have one due too. So, I’ve decided to work a few nights and part of the weekend to get it done. An extra hour here or there devoted solely to a project works wonders. That also means you’ll have to cut back on the social networking chatter for a season in order to get your work done.

I was offered a new gig this week and I really need the money. Financial constraints can dictate everything, something I can fully understand.  Try to get some flexibility in the project, perhaps allowing you to escape for a three-day weekend while still being able to tackle the project. Under no circumstances are you to bring your work with you!

I blog daily and can’t take the time off. Yes you can. I blog daily as well and I’m not talking about this blog. There are two blogs I update Monday through Friday with fresh articles, but I’m already writing ahead and scheduling those posts so that I can enjoy some time off. Moreover, I’m accepting some guest articles to help tide things over until I return.

Of course, there is the matter of paying for a place to stay, the gas or airfare to get there and all of the costs related with being away from home. Priceline.com or a similar site can help you find travel deals. Or, maybe it is time for you to accept your friend’s invitation to visit their cabin or beach home. If you’re single, a couch might do.

I’m sure you’ll come up with something, being the resourceful and talented person you are. Who knows, but that much needed break could provide the springboard for some later article or narrative, a real life experience gained because you took some time off.

Photo Credit: Gary Scott