Confessions of a Summer Slacker

I admit it. I’m a summer slacker. And I’m done feeling guilty about it.

I live in a state with long winters, so when the sun is out and the heat is on, I want to soak it up. My son and I both have birthdays in the summer so we celebrate with ice cream at DQ. There’s fourth of July fireworks to see, fireflies to catch, and parties to attend. We vacation ‘up north’, play at the beach (the picture at right is at one of my favorite Lake Michigan spots), and hang by the pool. I fuss in the yard, grow my own vegetables, try new recipes. I shop the farmers market. We go to concerts in the park and stroll through art fairs. We enjoy cookouts with friends. I visit with my mom, we sit in the sun, I hold her hand and enjoy a few peaceful moments without thinking about her stroke or the nursing home or medical issues. We ride bikes and go on treasure hunts. I sleep in and stay up late reading fiction books and fashion magazines. My husband and I go out to dinner to places with outdoor patios, and people watch. I make a list of projects to complete–but rarely do. I love summer.

Yes, I work a little. I see private clients. I do a few VIP days and strategy sessions. I write a few times a month. I brainstorm. I play with new ideas. I put a strategy together for the fall and into the New Year. I occasionally check in on Facebook and Twitter and connect with my mastermind buddies. But mostly, I slack. I relax. I restore. I soak in summer and life and leisure. And I’m ok with that. It’s EXACTLY the reason I chose this path instead of staying in my six figure corporate job. Freedom. Flexibility. Time with my kids. THIS is my idea of a lifestyle business. But I used to feel so guilty about it. I didn’t want anyone to know my little secret. I worried it meant I wasn’t a ‘serious business woman’ or I wasn’t committed to my goals of growth and impact. I worried about what people would think if they knew how non-productive I could be.

I’ve finally shed the guilt and I’m coming out of hiding. I’ve realized that even when I slack–and maybe BECAUSE I do–it all turns out just fine. My business doesn’t spontaneously combust. My interest level and my creativity don’t disappear (in fact they get clearer, stronger and more focused). And before I know it, fall is here and I’m in high gear again. Its just part of my natural rhythm and it’s ok to roll with it rather than resist and judge it.

In fact, I’m realizing ways I can redesign my business to support this lifestyle and rhythm even more fully. What about you?

What if you let yourself off the hook a little? What if you built some slack time into your plans and just did what you wanted to do? What if you gave yourself full permission to design your business to support the life you really want–rather than staying tied to a notion of how you ‘should be’ working? What if you said goodbye to the guilt and embraced your inner-slacker?

I’ll be here sitting in the sun and cheering you on!