Working without an Internet
I came to Indonesian for 2 weeks. Due to the limited internet connectivity hour and the rate of the Internet bill here, I have to cut down all unnecessary usage, such as tweeting, surfing around Facebook, read blog posts on my Google Reader and etc. However, it doesn’t mean that it will lead to an unproductive working environment.
My wife and I are freelance web designers and yet we still survive even without much of internet connection for this 2 weeks.
Work on design, or design something
Design and more design. Either work with the current client’s project or just create a new design, such as a free theme be released for public. If any creative-block strikes in, go have a short break. Take a walk outside or have a cup of coffee in the pantry will do. Have all the time in hand to get inspiration.
Sometimes when I want to take a break from sitting in front of the computer, I will get my sketchbook and start doodling on it. I actually don’t have the habit of sketching before doing the design in computer. But when I do, the result will be an amazing one. Hence, I’ve started to spend quite a lot of time in sketching and mind mapping my proposal when I’m not with computer and Internet.
Take a walk, do some exercise
It is important to let your body sweats some times.
Most of the time, my girlfriend and I are sitting next to each other and worst, don’t talk much when some urgent works approached. So the best thing to do is to take a walk, have some long conversation or work-out together.
Movies, celebrities gossip, music, karaoke
Spend some quality time with the family and watch a movie, either at home or in a cinema.
As a freelancer, very oftern we find a movie title that click, but can’t find a time out to watch it because of “tons of work” ahead.
Clean up your machine, table and all the mess
I’m sure there were lots of “Tomorrow” while working on the desk. It is the time to do all those work. A clean work station can really boost productivity. From whipping the computer to cleaning up all the paper work on the table is a good start.
Learn more script
Even if you’re good in one particular CMS, you probably won’t get only WordPress to build nowadays. Get more knowledge on CMS, e-Commerce or so. It’s always an added advantage to get more experience on lots of CMS.
I once had a client asked me to design their MODx CMS script, which I have totally no experience at all, I have been working with him for a few project, mainly, WordPress. You can’t tell if a client would continue working with you if they look ahead with another freelancer and feel more comfortable with them instead. That’s a totaly lost.
I’ve personally downloaded some common CMS and e-Commerce script on my localhost readily to study them once I’m out of Internet.