Being my own boss, I've chosen to work a lot every week-ends, so I have more free time during weekdays. And when I'm doing my shopping on Tuesday or Thursday, I avoid crowded shops, or roads.
I generally work weekends because there are fewer interruptions but mostly because I take a day off during the week. The benefit of working for myself is I don't have to have the workweek/weekend structure like an office does. I work when I need to, take a break when I need to. No matter what, I sleep in Sunday, whether I'm working or not. :)
I'm afraid I always do. I love what I do, so I want to do as much of it as I can, but with full-time studies and maintaining my own household I don't get my time over. The definition of a weekend for me is doing what I want and not what everyone wants me to.
Yes, sometimes. But less often now than before. I try to keep my work at the office and value my time outside the office by spending time with friends and love ones, as well as working on personal projects and hobbies. Doing that, I gradually feel less stressed and dread Mondays less. :)
Just picked up a job today where the "1st draft" milestone is Tuesday morning. So I'll definitely be working the weekend--but not till tomorrow! (Taking the time to go see a movie with friends tonight...)
Yup, worked a full day today. It can be nice, kinda breaks you out of your routine if it's not come-to-Jesus deadline time. Trying not to make a habit of it, though...
It depends on how you define "work" - I use my weekends to research the latest developments in my chosen field, practice new techniques and develop my personal projects further. Client work, however, is always left for the "business days" - My project time-scales always reflect this upfront in the proposal stage.
I also use my weekends to socialise and network... arguably that is "work" too? no?
Sometimes... to get caught up or to maintain momentum (like today). But rest assured there will be time off taken somewhere else. The beauty (and the curse) of freelancing is control over my own schedule. :)
Of course. If you're driven enough to be a successful freelancer you don't let up when the rest of the world does. It's a competitive advantage. Normal people take too much time off.
I like to work 6 full days and completely rest on Sunday.
Yes, it comes with the territory. But then sometimes I take 2 days of in the week when things slow up... or at least I spend that time learning a new aspect of the job. If you don't actually like the job you won't last long as a freelancer. You shouldn't let it take over your whole life, but it's naive to think you can run a freelance business and 'switch off' like your 'employed' friends can.
Must do, it seems to be the only thing I am good at ;-)
Ard - 16 years ago
I usually work at nights and Saturdays as well, I don't mind hard working and I love my job!
I keep the Sundays off (means NO work at ALL) to unstress and rest.
Keeping a whole weekend off is quite a luxury I think, 1 day should be enough!
I agree with those who point out that a creative job often has its own rewards and is not much different from other activities you consider fun. Is it bad that I work on an open source project related to work instead of watching TV? Especially if I'm winding down from three hours of salsa classes?
Von K - 16 years ago
Working right now, as a matter of fact...
Kathryn M - 16 years ago
Right now, I am taking a university class. I would love a job where I could work weekends, that would allow me to continue in the class.
jeremiah - 16 years ago
whine whine whine. Stop being a bunch of babies. The economy is in the toilet, be glad you have a job. I haven't had a day off in 3 years. Work is good for you. Our forefathers didn't require vacations and neither do you. So stop moaning and bitching and get your lazy asses back to work or get in the unemployment line.
It depends. Since I freelance on the side with a full-time day job, I sometimes need to give up a weeknight work session to get something done that can't be done on weekends and therefore I need to make-up that time over the weekend. I try to work early and only until noon so I can enjoy social things later on. And I make it a rule to never work on a Sunday night... so I can get rest before Monday when I return to work.
I rarely on weekends. After pounding it out all week long, my brains and eyes need a rest, and I need to feed my creativity, look at the world around me for innovation & inspiration.
Katherine - 16 years ago
I love working at weekends, it's nice and quiet, no phones, few emails, no interruptions. Being able to start something, stick to it and finish it, without having to skip over to something else for a minute and lose a train of thought makes it a very productive time to work for me.
I don't actually tell clients I work at the weekend. "I'll have that for you Tuesday" is good enough. Working at the weekend means you can say that 2 or 3 times on Friday and deliver - they all think you are exclusively theirs on Monday, which is fine.
I do take time off too, and take the occasional midweek day, to make up for it.
Phil T - 16 years ago
What's a weekend? ;) That's what I love about doing what I do: my weekend is when I decide it is.
ranndino - 16 years ago
Apologies for the double post. My comment didn't show up the first time.
The results of this poll are actually very depressing. So far about 90% answered "Yes, always" or "Yes, sometimes" which means that work / life balance is almost a dirty concept in our field. By agreeing to work on weekends you set client expectations to not respect your personal life, or what's more likely you don't even have a personal life anymore. That, in turn, makes everyone in the industry have to follow suit to keep up. And that, in turn, makes everyone overworked, stressed out and burned out. There's a reason weekends and vacations exist. No matter how much you love your work sometimes you need to get away from it. Otherwise it makes you into a very one dimensional person and not a happy one, at that. This new "normal" isn't normal at all and is the reason so many people these days are on psych drugs. We are not robots at an assembly line. Taking weekends off and going on vacations does not make you lazy contrary to what many seem to believe these days, unfortunately.
ranndino - 16 years ago
The results of this poll are actually very depressing. So far about 90% answered "Yes, always" or "Yes, sometimes" which means that work / life balance is almost a dirty concept in our field. By agreeing to work on weekends you set client expectations to not respect your personal life, or what's more likely you don't even have a personal life anymore. That, in turn, makes everyone in the industry have to follow suit to keep up. And that, in turn, makes everyone overworked, stressed out and burned out. There's a reason weekends and vacations exist. No matter how much you love your work sometimes you need to get away from it. Otherwise it makes you into a very one dimensional person and not a happy one, at that. This new "normal" isn't normal at all and is the reason so many people these days are on psych drugs. We are not robots at an assembly line. Taking weekends off and going on vacations does not make you lazy contrary to what many seem to believe these days, unfortunately.
I typically will work a few hours on weekends on low-impact odds and ends and cleanup...
However, when I am working on our own internal projects that's a different story... We recently launched our new site and it was built almost entirely between the hours of 6:00 pm - 3:00 am and weekends...
Muppet - 16 years ago
I usually always "work" on weekends. My basis of my job is creativity and since this is my personality, it's difficult to get away from creative opportunities; a very good thing! So yes, I do "work" on weekends but I love what I do.
I am grateful that we consistently hear from prospective clients on the weekends. Many small business owners are wrapped up working in their business during the week - so weekends are a great time to work on the business. Being so responsive and available has helped set up apart and increase our market share.
Did it today actually, some newsletter that is supposed to go out monday morning. Someone did some messy coding on it and it needed some TLC to display nicely cross-email-clients :)
I sort of do. Sometimes, if it's necessary.. Deadlines, err.
Tainá - 16 years ago
Yes, I'm doing it right now. Sucks, but when you've got a lot to do weekends sound like a miracle with freetime and no phone calls from suppliers and clientes.
Pretty much work continuously 7 days a week, dawn till dusk and beyond but I do take time out when needed, no matter what day of the week it is.
I love what I do and my down time is often the same as my up time, it's so cool to be in the creative industry.
Since I have a full time job and web developing is a side thing (for now), I work every weekend.
Unfortunately I can't escape from working on weekends sometimes. Specialy due to the consulting service.
i try not to work in weekends
Being my own boss, I've chosen to work a lot every week-ends, so I have more free time during weekdays. And when I'm doing my shopping on Tuesday or Thursday, I avoid crowded shops, or roads.
Yes, i work on weekends,but that's not so bad. I'm a web designer and photographer and i love my job ;-)
I generally work weekends because there are fewer interruptions but mostly because I take a day off during the week. The benefit of working for myself is I don't have to have the workweek/weekend structure like an office does. I work when I need to, take a break when I need to. No matter what, I sleep in Sunday, whether I'm working or not. :)
Only on fun work stuff, cheers~
I'm afraid I always do. I love what I do, so I want to do as much of it as I can, but with full-time studies and maintaining my own household I don't get my time over. The definition of a weekend for me is doing what I want and not what everyone wants me to.
i agree with Phil T: "my weekend is when I decide it is."
Always work weekends. That's hospitality for you!
Yes, sometimes. But less often now than before. I try to keep my work at the office and value my time outside the office by spending time with friends and love ones, as well as working on personal projects and hobbies. Doing that, I gradually feel less stressed and dread Mondays less. :)
Just picked up a job today where the "1st draft" milestone is Tuesday morning. So I'll definitely be working the weekend--but not till tomorrow! (Taking the time to go see a movie with friends tonight...)
I agree with bchild
Yup, worked a full day today. It can be nice, kinda breaks you out of your routine if it's not come-to-Jesus deadline time. Trying not to make a habit of it, though...
It depends on how you define "work" - I use my weekends to research the latest developments in my chosen field, practice new techniques and develop my personal projects further. Client work, however, is always left for the "business days" - My project time-scales always reflect this upfront in the proposal stage.
I also use my weekends to socialise and network... arguably that is "work" too? no?
Yep, always!
Sometimes... to get caught up or to maintain momentum (like today). But rest assured there will be time off taken somewhere else. The beauty (and the curse) of freelancing is control over my own schedule. :)
I work on weekends. But most times on hobby projects.
Of course. If you're driven enough to be a successful freelancer you don't let up when the rest of the world does. It's a competitive advantage. Normal people take too much time off.
I like to work 6 full days and completely rest on Sunday.
Yes, it comes with the territory. But then sometimes I take 2 days of in the week when things slow up... or at least I spend that time learning a new aspect of the job. If you don't actually like the job you won't last long as a freelancer. You shouldn't let it take over your whole life, but it's naive to think you can run a freelance business and 'switch off' like your 'employed' friends can.
The upside far outweighs the down for me.
Must do, it seems to be the only thing I am good at ;-)
I usually work at nights and Saturdays as well, I don't mind hard working and I love my job!
I keep the Sundays off (means NO work at ALL) to unstress and rest.
Keeping a whole weekend off is quite a luxury I think, 1 day should be enough!
I do but only 20 hours.
"Yes, Sometimes" covers too much ground.
I agree with those who point out that a creative job often has its own rewards and is not much different from other activities you consider fun. Is it bad that I work on an open source project related to work instead of watching TV? Especially if I'm winding down from three hours of salsa classes?
Working right now, as a matter of fact...
Right now, I am taking a university class. I would love a job where I could work weekends, that would allow me to continue in the class.
whine whine whine. Stop being a bunch of babies. The economy is in the toilet, be glad you have a job. I haven't had a day off in 3 years. Work is good for you. Our forefathers didn't require vacations and neither do you. So stop moaning and bitching and get your lazy asses back to work or get in the unemployment line.
It depends. Since I freelance on the side with a full-time day job, I sometimes need to give up a weeknight work session to get something done that can't be done on weekends and therefore I need to make-up that time over the weekend. I try to work early and only until noon so I can enjoy social things later on. And I make it a rule to never work on a Sunday night... so I can get rest before Monday when I return to work.
Working......
I rarely on weekends. After pounding it out all week long, my brains and eyes need a rest, and I need to feed my creativity, look at the world around me for innovation & inspiration.
I love working at weekends, it's nice and quiet, no phones, few emails, no interruptions. Being able to start something, stick to it and finish it, without having to skip over to something else for a minute and lose a train of thought makes it a very productive time to work for me.
I don't actually tell clients I work at the weekend. "I'll have that for you Tuesday" is good enough. Working at the weekend means you can say that 2 or 3 times on Friday and deliver - they all think you are exclusively theirs on Monday, which is fine.
I do take time off too, and take the occasional midweek day, to make up for it.
What's a weekend? ;) That's what I love about doing what I do: my weekend is when I decide it is.
Apologies for the double post. My comment didn't show up the first time.
sometimes it's necessary...
The results of this poll are actually very depressing. So far about 90% answered "Yes, always" or "Yes, sometimes" which means that work / life balance is almost a dirty concept in our field. By agreeing to work on weekends you set client expectations to not respect your personal life, or what's more likely you don't even have a personal life anymore. That, in turn, makes everyone in the industry have to follow suit to keep up. And that, in turn, makes everyone overworked, stressed out and burned out. There's a reason weekends and vacations exist. No matter how much you love your work sometimes you need to get away from it. Otherwise it makes you into a very one dimensional person and not a happy one, at that. This new "normal" isn't normal at all and is the reason so many people these days are on psych drugs. We are not robots at an assembly line. Taking weekends off and going on vacations does not make you lazy contrary to what many seem to believe these days, unfortunately.
The results of this poll are actually very depressing. So far about 90% answered "Yes, always" or "Yes, sometimes" which means that work / life balance is almost a dirty concept in our field. By agreeing to work on weekends you set client expectations to not respect your personal life, or what's more likely you don't even have a personal life anymore. That, in turn, makes everyone in the industry have to follow suit to keep up. And that, in turn, makes everyone overworked, stressed out and burned out. There's a reason weekends and vacations exist. No matter how much you love your work sometimes you need to get away from it. Otherwise it makes you into a very one dimensional person and not a happy one, at that. This new "normal" isn't normal at all and is the reason so many people these days are on psych drugs. We are not robots at an assembly line. Taking weekends off and going on vacations does not make you lazy contrary to what many seem to believe these days, unfortunately.
I work every fifth weekend as a support analyst for the company I work for.
tell me who doesn't
I typically will work a few hours on weekends on low-impact odds and ends and cleanup...
However, when I am working on our own internal projects that's a different story... We recently launched our new site and it was built almost entirely between the hours of 6:00 pm - 3:00 am and weekends...
I usually always "work" on weekends. My basis of my job is creativity and since this is my personality, it's difficult to get away from creative opportunities; a very good thing! So yes, I do "work" on weekends but I love what I do.
Yes, always. I usually reserve weekends for personal projects, but nothing as hardcore as work from my day job. :D
Yes! My wife does it too (she's a lawyer) and then I feel like I should do it as well, I love my job so it doesn't suck for me :)
I am grateful that we consistently hear from prospective clients on the weekends. Many small business owners are wrapped up working in their business during the week - so weekends are a great time to work on the business. Being so responsive and available has helped set up apart and increase our market share.
Always. Usually in at 7am on Saturdays and work from home on Sundays. No one to bug me, iPod on blast, its actually OK..
Right now, unfortunately.
Well it depends but ya some times I do
Did it today actually, some newsletter that is supposed to go out monday morning. Someone did some messy coding on it and it needed some TLC to display nicely cross-email-clients :)
I sort of do. Sometimes, if it's necessary.. Deadlines, err.
Yes, I'm doing it right now. Sucks, but when you've got a lot to do weekends sound like a miracle with freetime and no phone calls from suppliers and clientes.
Yes, sometimes., but i know its too bad :(