One of the best parts about being a freelancer or entrepreneur is that you have the flexibility to design your workday in the way that’s best for you.
And with summer is in full swing, what better time than now to mix things up?
Think about it: you can design your day in such a way that actually lets you enjoy the warm summer months without feeling like a slacker.
Plus, a change in your workday routine could be great for your productivity and quality of work as well. Sounds like a no brainer to us.
In this post, we’re talking about some of the best ways to mix up your workday routine during the summer months so you can, you know, live your best life.
But my routine! Are there actual benefits to changing up my workday?
I love routine, too. But hear me out. Getting some time away from your home office—whether you’re working outside or in a new coffee shop—might be one of the best things for your workday.
Plus, you know how your mood seems to lift whenever you take a walk outside on a beautiful day? That’s because it’s true! There’s ample research to support the claim that The Great Outdoors is one of the best stress relievers.
But changing up your workday routine doesn’t only mean getting some quality time outside. Whether you change up your workspace for the day or shift the hours when you work, you can reap some of the benefits that come with a positive modification in your routine, including:
- Increased productivity levels
- A new perspective on how to approach a task
- Inspiration for a new project
- Reduce signs of burnout
Now, let’s take a look at a few ways you can mix up your workday.
1. Get a change of scenery (but do it wisely)
Did a new coffee shop open up in your neighborhood that you’ve been dying to try? Or maybe you’ve been daydreaming about working a few hours in the morning on a blanket in your favorite park?
If you feel like you may need to sit at a desk to get anything done, try working in a branch of your local library, or get a day pass at a coworking space.
Wherever you choose to work, make sure you plan accordingly. The last thing you want is to get set up only to realize you left your laptop at home or don’t have any snacks on hand (a nightmare scenario for me).
Speaking of taking your work to-go, here are a few of our favorite out-of-office work gadgets.
Anker PowerCore 10000
No extra outlets in sight? No problem.
Hydro Flask Water Bottle
It’s reusable and it’ll keep your water cold all day long. Perfect for working outside in the summer heat.
LaCie Rugged Mini 4TB External Hard Drive
Don’t leave the house without an external hard drive that can handle a constant change of scenery.
TP-Link N300 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router
This wireless travel router is great for any solopreneur who wants to change up their workspace and not have to worry about WiFi. Take your wifi connection with you wherever you go.
In addition to these essentials, bookmark these tools for your next OOO workday.
WiFi Map
Not sure where the best WiFi connection is? This site will show you the best places to get a secure connection wherever you are.
Workfrom
Itching to get out of the house but aren’t sure where to go? Workfrom takes the guesswork out of finding an awesome place to post up in—whether you’re looking for a coworking space or a new coffee shop.
PureVPN
In search of a reliable, fast VPN service to make the most of those public WiFi connections? Look no further than PureVPN. This service supports all major browsers and devices and is reliable and secure.
2. Take longer breaks throughout the day
If you can’t physically get out of your home office during the week, incorporate longer breaks into your workday. It’s easy to get lost in the groove of work, but it might be doing more harm for you than good.
Taking breaks is a vital part of staying productive throughout the day—not to mention it’s important to your health. Working for long periods without getting up and moving can lead to long-term health issues, both mentally and physically.
Health effects aside, taking breaks can help alleviate what self-improvement author S.J. Scott calls “decision fatigue. As a business owner, you’re making decisions all day long, which can take a toll on your willpower and reasoning if you don’t take regular breaks.
With that being said, during your breaks, walk away from your computer and do something you enjoy, like going for a long walk or ice cream run.
3. Shift your office hours to “summer hours
This is probably something you’re familiar with, but there’s a reason why both solopreneurs and traditional employers implement these hours.
Summer hours, or shortening your regular work hours in the summer months, is a great way to add some more free time into your week so you can enjoy this glorious season. Another great thing about being Unemployable is being able to set these hours however you see fit. Instead of just shortening your Friday work hours, you could change your schedule to whatever suits you the best.
Plus, the shorter window for work might be the encouragement you need to knock out your to-do list.
4. Give your home office a refresh
Spring cleaning has come and gone, so when’s the last time you did a home office purge? It might be time to do so.
Clutter is the archnemesis to a productive home office. In fact, according to the National Association of Professional Organizers, we spend about one year of our lives looking for lost items. Talk about wasted time.
In addition to getting a year of our lives back, there are tons of other added benefits to tidying up, including:
Who knows, you may find that thing you’ve been searching for since last winter hidden in plain sight.
Enjoy your summer
The bottom line: By being Unemployable, you have the freedom and flexibility to work wherever you please, so take advantage! Use your remote working powers for your own good.
Work hard, but don’t forget to enjoy your life, too.
Want more advice and tips on how to run your business better? Tune into the latest episode of the Unemployable podcast and subscribe to the Unemployable newsletter.