With almost every type of job, you work a few days and take a few days off. Occasionally you may have to work over a weekend to complete a project at the office, but for the vast majority of workers, a constant seven day work week is simply unthinkable. With the breaks you get from working, you can complete tasks around the house, run personal errands, and spend time with friends and family. In addition, you get that much needed mind break from the day to day tasks of your job, giving you a fresh start and a clear mind that enables you to perform your job better once you return to work.
Mystery shoppers, however, tend to work as many assignments as they feasibly can in an effort to make the most money possible. While mystery shopping offers a large degree of job flexibility, to make the most money as possible, a mystery shopper must take the assignments at the dates and times offered. The end result is that many mystery shoppers end up working nearly every day of the week to make more money.
Take A Break! These mystery shoppers that work almost daily and even on weekends may take a break from time to time, perhaps to tend to personal matters or simply for a short break from the job. However, to be at your peak performance level as a mystery shopper and to approach each assignment with a clear mind and plenty of energy, you should make plans to take a regular break from mystery shopping. Weekends tend to be a busy time for mystery shoppers, so you may want to take off different days. But whether you choose to take off Monday and Tuesday, or Wednesday and Thursday, making it your goal to not accept assignments on your scheduled and regular “days off” will reap rewards for you in the long run.
With Clarity Comes Advantages. Sure you need a clear mind to be the best mystery shopper you can be. Mystery shopper is more than just a job you go to from time to time. It is a career, and more importantly it is your own business. As a self-employed contractor, each mystery shopper is responsible for building his or her own business. A part of building your business and making the most money possible in your role as a mystery shopper comes with analyzing which providers are most cost-effective for you to work with. In other words, which providers offer assignments that pay well while at the same time demand less of your time? When you work at assignments each and every day, you often become inundated with the details of specific assignments that you fail to see the bigger picture. With the clarity that a break gives you, you will have the proper vantage point to clearly analyze your providers and make the right decisions for your business as a mystery shopper.
With so many benefits to taking regular breaks from mystery shopping, it only makes sense to pencil in your set “days off” and refuse to accept assignments on those days!
I agree the comments in this article. When I began as a mystery shopper in 2006, I made a point to not accept assignments on Sundays. This is my parttime business, so I have always kept Sundays as my day to relax and get ready for the upcoming week. Occasionally I may have a report to do on a Sunday, but that’s the limit.
When I became a Mystery Shopper over 6 years ago, I was always working; seven days a week. I then decided not to work on weekends; my time. I relocated to Dallas, TX last October and their is much more opportunity here. I feel that I am back into working Saturdays and Sundays; the money will definitely help around the holidays. Their are slow times in Mystery Shopping so that is the time that I can relax and get caught up.
I dont have much to say, only I want to make mome money and any way you pay I would like to be paid in a check and sent to to my home anthony augusta 12,1/2 barker st methuen ma 01844 thankyou so much
I needed to read this today. I started mystery shopping in April and tried every type of assignment at least once. Now I have narrowed down my choices to the types that I enjoy and that don’t cause me stress. I don’t even mind long narratives if I enjoy the shop. However, many of these interesting and enjoyable shops come in a clump and I take as many as I can.Then there are favourite schedulers and special favours that you do in return for how well they treat you. Thank you for your timely message. I have to re evaluate and take some time off regulary to keep sharp in order to do my best. If I am tired, I make mistakes, some of which lead to reports being rejected. Balance is very important and I need to build that in regularly so that I can continue mystery shopping for a long time and not burn out which is the way I am beginning to feel.
Thank you for this reminder.
I have been mystery shopping for several years, and I found that I was getting a bit burned out. I started taking some other jobs, as merchandising and auditing to keep the money coming in, and it broadened my experience. I still can go back to mystery shopping any time, but I can take breaks when I need to.
I have to agree that a break is necessary no matter where you take it. At first I thought I wouldn’t want to work on Sunday, but I have and it works out fine. I just take a day off in the middle of the week. You are doing a fine job.
Thank you.
Hello there all you Mystery Shoppers,as always The Maven has put another timely content filled report for all to partake of and I for one needed this reminder. That almighty word ‘Balance’ is the key word for MS assignments because we are independent contractors,we have to maintain that aspect. Without balance we do make mistakes often at our expense. I also have taken a couple of days off to do other assignments it keeps my eyes fresh and my ears clear to continue giving my best at a job I enjoy~
mystery shopping sucks. they get their information then fuck you out of your money.
Mystery shopping is not for everyone. I believe that there must be a certain amount of aptitude for it, as well as honed skills, and allowing a little time to experience trying out different types of shops. It is okay to say, “No.” Not all shops, are for all people, all of the time. The payoff is more than just the cheque. There are write offs, convenience and flexibility, enjoyment, freedom of style and expression, autonomy, and many little perks. Taking personal time off requires saying, “No” to the scheduler, but first, saying, “No” to yourself. One way to do it and to save face, is informing your scheduler, when they want a favor, that your schedule simply does not allow it. There is no need to go into explaining your personal or work schedule and plans. That is your business. Any thriving business, allows for off days, sick days, vacation days, in house days, etc. Why should your business be any different?
hello everyone, well I started doing MS now for almost 2 months and I enjoy it very much..I do agree with this notice, I myself refrain from working on weekends. Thats the time I get to spend with my 2 boys at home and enjoy taking them out for fun. MS can get to you if you do the same kind of shops, I personally was getting burned out with verizon shops…now I still do MS but I have added some auditing.. I think I enjoy this the most..I am awaiting on some merchandising as well and I think Im going to enjoy as well…I wish all the very best and just remember, taking time for yourself is the best medicine when overworking yourself out as MS….good luck all