What were your thoughts when starting your own business? Did you fantasise about the unlimited time off you could take in comparison to your previous statutory annual leave? Did you idealise the unmonitored flexibility to work on your own hours that you were once held to when you were employed?
Most new business owners are hit hard with the amount of time and work it takes to get their business off the ground, let alone the amount of pre-planning and organisation it requires to take time off – especially if you are a solopreneur.
I’ve been working solo since starting my business in 2018, juggling the running of my business, providing services to my clients, being a mum to a toddler and trying to take some time for myself. I’m fortunate to have a small team of associates that support my business and client portfolio, but for the most, part I am on my own.
Taking time for yourself is immensely important amongst the ever-growing “burn-out” culture, particularly when the success of your business and ability to take time off relies solely on your own output and performance.
To combat the pre-holiday panic, I’ve combined my most favoured tips for taking time off, how to switch off whilst you’re mid-break and how to make the most of your time upon your return…
Pre-holiday Preparation:
Let all of your clients know when you will be away and when you are returning to work. Agree a contact method in case of an emergency. It’s important that you give them ample notice and set your boundaries for contact.
Organise your diary for the week before you go and the first week back. Block out time for important tasks such as invoicing (if you are away over month-end) and catch up calls for client work that is required upon your return.
Allow time to send your clients a progress update report before you go. Leaving them in the knowledge that you’re on top of your tasks will be less stress for them, and more free time for you; without their interfering emails or messages.
Clear your inbox! Don’t leave emails unopened as these will just add to the ones you receive whilst you’re away.
Schedule your social media in advance (if you want to show up consistently whilst you are away).
Set your out of office. It’s a rookie error to just say you are away and can’t be contacted; add links and instructions for potential new clients. Perhaps direct them to your portfolio or testimonials on your website. Give them a link to schedule a connection call or let them know about what they can look forward to if they join your email list – don’t miss out on a marketing opportunity!
Arrange cover if needed; you can utilise the support of a Virtual Assistant to help with managing emails, sales enquiries and scheduling your social media while you enjoy your break. Remember VA’s can hit the ground running and can be a flexible and affordable way to offload some of your day-to-day tasks.
During Your Break:
Picture this, you’re on holiday, sat on the beach or by the pool enjoying the surroundings. A thought sparks in your mind…
“Did Mrs A get her order?”….
“Has Mr B read my proposal?”
“How many comments did I get on that last Insta post?”
Does this sound familiar?
As a business owner it’s hard to switch off, and with technology being so advanced you can be anywhere in the world and be able to check in on everything, via your mobile phone.
Checking your emails once or twice during your break won’t hurt but remember, this is your time to relax and re-charge so make the most of being away from your laptop.
When I’m away, I usually remove my email and social media apps from my home-screen so I’m not tempted to keep checking them. I don’t delete them but just removing them from direct sight makes a big difference. Unfortunately our brains and muscle memory are trained to check them, and so the physical removal of them from your direct sight will stop that habit in its tracks.
Here’s how you can remove your work apps from your Apple home screen in a few simple steps:
Touch and hold down on the app that you’d like to hide on the home screen of your phone.
Tap ‘Edit Home Screen’. The app will begin to shake.
Click the ‘ – ‘ icon that appears in the top left hand corner of the app and a list of options will appear.
Click ‘Remove from Home Screen’. This will remove from the home screen but keep it within your App Library for future use.
Upon Your Return:
There’s nothing more stressful than being back at your desk and not having a clue where to start. It can all seem very overwhelming but here are my top tips for wading through the worry and getting back to your productive self:
If you followed my “Pre-Holiday Preparation” tips above for planning your schedule, stick to it!
Don’t get drawn into checking hundreds of emails as this can be counterproductive - have a quick glance at your inbox and flag the important stuff so you can action accordingly. Prioritisation is key here!
Take regular breaks. Respite periods prevent burn out and will help you keep your focus.
Remember - taking a break from your business can give you:
· Rest
· Time for self-care
· Enjoyment with family
· Clearing your mind for new ideas
· Time to reflect on what you have achieved so far
Being prepared for your time off will only help you enjoy it more and who doesn’t want a relaxing break? If this helped you, check out my other useful hints and tips on the Admin Guru blog or check out my website for how I could help you with your business.