With so many of us feeling stressed out, and since our longevity as Solo PR Pros depends on effective stress management, this week’s #solopr Twitter chat focused solely on this important issue. We discussed:

1) What are some of the most stressful situations you’ve faced as an independent consultant?

2) What steps do you take in your personal life that help you manage stress?

3) What work-related stress relievers have you found?

4) What steps can we take in our businesses to avoid stress in the first place?

Find out some of the tricks used by your fellow solos by downloading the transcript in PDF. On a side note, so many of us noted that our pets are important stress relievers, just for fun we’ve started sharing pictures of our furry “co-workers” on the Solo PR Pros Facebook page. Take a look and join in the fun!

What additional tips can you share for identifying and managing stress?

The #solopr chat – held each Wednesday from 1-2 p.m. Eastern – is a weekly ritual for some of the most savvy Solo PR Pros on Twitter. Anyone with a Twitter account is welcome to participate – see Join Us for the #solopr Chat on Twitter to find out how!

It can be done! Have you ever been creative in where and how you worked? What’s your dream?

As the U.S. prepares to observe its Independence Day holiday, it’s an excellent excuse for consultants to pause and celebrate the many joys of being independent in business.

Even in today’s sometimes difficult market, being your own boss is extremely gratifying. Among my favorite perks:

• No one else calls the shots – your fate is in your own hands
• No soul-sucking assignments – you have the power to choose your clients, and can select only projects that interest you
• No “calling in sick” or a measly 10 days of vacation time
• No dress code
• Make your own schedule, and be there for family and friends when they need you
• No commute
• Focus on what you do best, with no bureaucracy
• Work where you want, when you want
• No trying to look busy when you’re not
• No dread on Sunday evening, knowing that another unsatisfying work week lies ahead

So happy Independents’ Day to you all, wherever you reside! Let us know how you celebrate going solo in the comments. And for those in the U.S., please have a fun and safe July 4th weekend!

Photo credit: The Wandering Angel

We all do it on occasion. Sometimes we fool even ourselves, we’re so good at pretending to be busy — and independent consultants are especially vulnerable.

It can be a form of procrastination (as in the illustration above). Or perhaps we just can’t find the muse that day — the brain juices simply aren’t flowing for some reason. Sometimes we feel a little guilty if we don’t have enough client work, and busying ourselves with non-essential tasks helps fill the void.

If you find yourself losing track of time as you mosey aimlessly around the Web, ask yourself: could I take a walk? Endulge in a guilty pleasure? Pick up the phone and call an old friend? Getting away from the computer can be the best way to jump start your productivity.

Just remember: there is no glory in working for the sake of working. Take time for some amusement, and you’ll be more efficient when you have actual work to do. So have fun out there!

What do you do when you find yourself pretending to be busy? Any tips for clearing the cobwebs?

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

The video isn’t just funny, it’s an excellent illustration of how absurd these requests really are. If a client tries to work you over, stick to your guns! The value you’re providing to them remains the same — recession or no.