Making the most of slow days (or weeks)

After a kick-ass start to 2013, I don’t mind admitting that the last month or so has been a little … slow. In fact, I’m sure I have spotted a tumbleweed or two rolling through my office.

Like many people, when I am busy, I’m on fire. Give me as much work as you want – my capacity is like the Tardis.

But when things are quiet, I tend to get a bad taste of the can’t-be-arseds. The television beckons, as does Facebook, or a good book. And before I know it, the day has passed and I have achieved nothing.

The problem as a freelancer is that the can’t-be-arsed periods don’t pay the bills.

So instead of farnarkling, this is what I will be doing over the next few days:

1. Go through my invoices: Each financial year I make a promise to myself that I will not just throw receipts into a shoebox and worry about them come July. And each year I break that promise. Time to go through that shoebox.

2. Clean my desk: Busy times often mean a messy desk. It’s time I de-cluttered, filed important stuff, tossed the rest, and gave the surface a good wipe down.

3. Back up files on to the cloud: I am going through the process of moving everything to dropbox in preparation for a new laptop (which actually arrived last week but was completely stuffed. Yes, that’s the technical term). I have got half way through and need to get back to it.

4. Reach out to old contacts: Another thing I am halfway through. I have been in the communications business for more than 20 years. I know a lot of people in reasonably high places that need to know  what I am doing these days and how much I would love to work with them again – as a freelancer this time.

5. Show some client love: I have some great existing clients so it would be a great idea to give them a call or email and let them know about some of the services I offer. And for the locals, a little coffee catch-up wouldn’t hurt. Perhaps I could offer a little sweetener for referrals?

6. Start organising my Sydney trip: A lot of the above-mentioned clients and old contacts are over on the Eastern Seaboard, so the plan is to set up some meetings and head across the country. Doesn’t hurt that my best friend is also over that way, and I can combine business with pleasure.

7. Write some blog posts in advance: Too often, I get to Monday and I suddenly realise a blog post is due the following day. So I panic. I like writing, but the urge doesn’t always come an an opportune time. So I need to have back-up posts from when the writer’s block hits.

8. Schedule some “me” time: My darling husband gave me a voucher on Mother’s Day for a massage and facial. I can think of no better way to spend the quiet time.

Does anyone have any other fantastic and productive ways to occupy myself over the next few days? Would love to hear from you.

Till next time