So you’ve realized that you’re overworked and need a vacation. As a small business owner and self-employed mom I know how hard it is to schedule time off for vacation. If you’re a sole proprietor without employees, it gets even harder. You don’t have someone else to answer the calls or delegate your work. So how can you plan for a vacation? It’s possible using these tips.
8 Tips for Scheduling Time Off When You’re a Small Business Owner
Schedule your time off during your low season. Most every profession has a low season. Figure out when yours is and then plan in advance to take time away during that time.
Start planning early. The sooner you mentally prepare yourself for the time away, the more you’ll be ready to handle it when the time comes. And it takes time to get ahead of a busy schedule. Plan to put in extra hours and days to make it all possible.
Manage the expectations of your clients/customers. Let them know what the plan is, how long you’ll be gone and what to do in an emergency. And tell them as early as possible. Get everyone mentally prepared for what will happen while you’re away.
If your budget allows, hire a virtual assistant to do some of the day to day tasks while you’re away. Many VAs can write and schedule your marketing emails, handle your social media, and more. Prices are reasonable and well worth it. Train and “test” your VA before you leave or use someone that comes with a great referral.
Set your emails auto-responder on. Seems obvious but sometimes this is the most overlooked last item on the to-do list. Schedule it as soon as your plans are set so that you won’t forget. Let everyone know when you’ll be able to check emails. If you can, leave a creative auto-message and add a personal touch.
Do the legwork before your time off so that you can un-plug while you’re away. Many times we work on vacation. I’ve been guilty of that myself. Sitting on the beach with my iPad in my face trying to avoid the sun so that I can read emails. It’s terrible. It actually makes for a more stressful vacation. Do as much work as you can upfront so that while you’re away you don’t have to worry about the workload when you return. Or, if you must, plan to check/respond to emails during scheduled time while you’re away. Perhaps one hour a day only. Remember to stick to your schedule.
Keep your schedule open when you return from your vacation. Plan time to catch up. Several days to respond to emails or complete proposals, etc. Give yourself enough time to catch up so that you don’t find yourself with piles and piles of work.
Lastly, make sure you do take time off. Taking a holiday should not be tossed into the “if I have time” pile on your to-do list.
With some thoughtful planning, you can take the pressure off of prepping for your trip and help your return to the office be a smooth transition. What are your tips for preparing for vacation?
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