Working Smarter, Not Harder: Summer Productivity Tips for Freelancers
The sun is shining, the temperature is soaring, and your concentration is waning — this is a common scenario for all employees. However, when you’re a freelancer running your own business, even small dips in productivity can have a big impact on your income.
So, how can you keep your cool through the summer and maintain productivity when it’s too hot and an afternoon in the garden with an ice lolly is beckoning?
Here are some top productivity tips to help you work smarter, not harder, throughout the summer.
Why is it tricky to stay productive in the summer?
For many freelancers and small business owners, the summer presents unique challenges that can affect productivity and efficiency.
Depending on your industry, you may find that the businesses you work with take more holidays, leading to a higher workload. While more work is good news for any freelancer, the prospect of a full schedule can feel daunting.
Perhaps you’re a parent who needs to juggle workload and childcare through six long weeks of summer holiday.
You may also find that the summer heat leads to poor sleep quality, making it tough to concentrate on your tasks.
How to be more productive in the summer
But don’t worry, here are some productivity tips you can use to help boost your efficiency and output, even when it feels most challenging.
Create a comfortable workspace
The environment you work in can make a huge difference to your productivity. In the summer, hotter days can lead to stuffy home offices that can affect concentration. By creating a cool and comfortable workspace, you’ll be able to focus on the work at hand without being distracted by discomfort.
Consider opening windows, using good curtains or blinds to reduce glare, and using a fan to circulate air. You may also find it helpful to sign up to a co-working space, where you can have a dedicated area that’s professional, peaceful — and often has air con!
Take regular breaks
When you’re running a freelance business, it’s easy to slip into the habit of overworking. In the summer, you may find yourself working long hours but seeing a dip in output. By taking regular breaks, you can refresh your mind and body and reset, ready to focus.
You may find it helpful to work in shorter bursts of concentration. Why not try the Pomodoro time management method?
Set clear goals and realistic deadlines
This is really an all-year productivity tip, but it can be especially helpful in the summer months. Setting goals (using the SMART method: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound) can keep you motivated, helping you tick off your to-do list and feel a sense of achievement as you do so.
And by making sure your deadlines are realistic and well-paced, you can maintain steady progress without burning out. You’ll have enough structure to keep you going, but with flexibility if you need to rearrange.
Readjust your working day
We all have different working rhythms and times of day that we feel most productive. Known as ‘chronotypes’, there are four categories that describe these natural energy patterns:
Wolf: Generally most productive in the afternoon and evening
Lion: Typically early birds who are most productive in the morning
Bear: Aligns with a more traditional 9-15 routine
Dolphin: May struggle with sleep and can find their best concentration levels at night
In the summer, you might find that your natural pattern shifts — perhaps you end up waking before your alarm due to earlier sunrises. Or perhaps hot nights keep you up and you find you need to lie in more. By readjusting your working hours, you can go with your summer rhythm rather than fighting against it.
Stay hydrated
Studies show that dehydration can have an effect on your brain power. According to research, losing just 1-2% of your body’s water can impair cognitive function. In the summer, it’s more important than ever to top up your hydration. So keep a bottle of water handy!
Delegate where you can
As a freelancer, it can feel like you have to do everything yourself. But this isn’t the case. In fact, one of the smartest ways to stay productive — especially during a busy or distracted summer — is to delegate.
If you find yourself bogged down by content management, email management, and general admin tasks, consider hiring a virtual assistant. A virtual assistant (VA) can help freelance business owners streamline their schedules, allowing them to focus on the most important aspects of their role.
From handling client onboarding to uploading your eCommerce products and descriptions, a VA can offer a whole host of services to help out.
Keep cool and stay productive this summer
For more productivity tips, take a look at our guide: How to stay productive when you work for yourself.
We’re here to help busy (or should I say Bizzy) freelancers and creative entrepreneurs stay productive and thriving, no matter the weather!
Feel free to get in touch to have a chat about your requirements.
