Yes you can!
Yes, you can still side-hustle when your iPhone shows 31 degrees Celsius and “heat warning”. I just did it but it wasn’t pleasant. I did three gigs from 8-5 and then retreated to my home where I showered and overdosed on marginal watermelon.
Because all tree gigs are regular biweekly events, it was difficult to cancel and reschedule. There isn’t much room in my schedule so I went. And let’s be honest, I also want the revenue. I need to make cash while I can. Once winter hits and the landscape goes to sleep, my gigs will dry up until spring. So let’s get this done.
Heat strategies
I work in a light long-sleeved shirt which feels comfortable and covers more of my skin; and I always wear a ball cap to cover my gray hair, plus a dust bandana around my neck.
As for my work, I try to balance it so I’m not in direct sun all the time. For example, I weeded a bed by the pool which was in full sun and then moved to the other side into shade. My water bottles were close by and I also hosed off my ball cap. The pool looked incredibly inviting.
I also did something I wouldn’t recommend in stage 2 water restriction times. While I didn’t risk getting a fine by watering lawns, I did sprinkle the planted bed so I could cool off my hands and soak my ball cap. Mid-day watering is wasteful because the water evaporates quickly but I didn’t do it for long and it cooled me off. When I got into my work van, the commercial on the radio said “every drop counts”. Yes it does.
Machines
Running lawn care machines in thirty degree weather is annoying but I organize my side-gigs so I don’t have to mow too much. After mowing, I slowed down by doing a bit of weeding. Picking up my line edger right away would have been more exhausting. That’s the beauty of side-gigs: you are in charge! Nobody said you had to follow up mowing with line trimming right away.
Wonder!
Just because there is heat warning issued for the day doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the day. It was nice and sunny and I made a note of the plants around me, like Rudbeckias, hostas and Anemones which look great in early August.
Conclusion
I hustle all year so I’m not about to get derailed by 30 plus temperatures. But I have to be smart about working in the heat by wearing proper clothes, sun protection and by mixing up my work. Maybe the bed in full sun can be done next week or, you don’t have to line trim right after mowing. Keep your water bottle handy and soak your ball cap or bandana.
You’ll be rewarded later when your clients pay their hefty invoices!
