So often we start our own business for the flexibility and then end up taking less time off than we used to.
Seriously, when was the last time you took a proper holiday?
Not just a couple of days away. Not a trip, but you did a little work in the middle. Not a break, but you kept on top of emails. Not keeping half an eye on social media, just in case. A proper holiday!
It’s not as easy as just applying for annual leave any more (I wish it was sometimes).
Just submit that form, and take 2 weeks away without giving work a second thought…. *stares dreamily into the distance imaging cocktails on the beach*
Back to reality, with 2 under 2, there is no way a day on the beach would be relaxing anyway… but walking away and not giving work a second thought does sound lovely.
However, if your business relies on you, how on earth can you take time off? Check out the list below to help you prepare for the time off.
Note: This list is aimed at service providers who have quieter periods over the Christmas time.
If you are a product based business, then this is your time to step up and make some dough.
5 Strategies to help you take time off from your business
Don’t book work for over this time
Sounds simple I know, but you’d be surprised how many people I’ve seen who want to take time off over the Christmas period, but sign up new clients the week before (or a couple of weeks before)
If you really want to take time off, close your books over that period. Sign clients to start in the new year when you get back, but give them a clear start date.
Tell existing clients there is a period of downtime over the festive season, and give them clear dates for the start and finish.
Schedule things that still need to go out
You can schedule your social media, blogs and emails over this period so that you don’t actually have to be there, but you still have an active online presence.
Take some time over the months before to batch write your blog posts, and schedule them on your website.
Then use your social media scheduler (or the inbuilt functions on the site) to schedule where possible.
Don’t feel that you have to though – your audience will understand if you tell that you are going on holiday and that there won’t be a blog or episode for the next week, or couple of weeks.
Write an out of office response
You don’t want people to think that you are just completely ignoring them, so having an out of office response for this period will keep them informed.
Make sure you include
– What date you will be back on board
– What they can do while they are waiting (there might be an interesting blog you want them to read, or an opt-in to send them to)
– Where can they go to reach someone (If there is a chance that they really do NEED you, then make sure they can email a VA or someone who can reach you)
Have someone else do the checking in for you
We’ve all been there – you log on to do just one thing, and get caught for hours, answering emails, scrolling, or replying to things that could wait.
If you really want to step away, hire someone else to check in for you over this period.
You can hire a VA to keep an eye on your emails, respond to comments on your social media and just generally keep up with things.
If something happens that needs your urgent attention, they can let you know.
Look at elements of your business that can still run without you
This is where it pays to have different income streams, and ensuring that you don’t rely on all of your income coming from client work.
Over this period drive traffic to DIY templates, workbooks or self paced courses, which can be purchased and started without you.
As long as you have an automated sales process, welcome sequence that gives them all the tools they need, and a VA checking in to make sure no-one has tech issues trying to get access to what they’ve purchased, then they won’t even noticed that you are away.
Got any other tips?
Are you taking time off over the festive season? It’s the long summer holidays here in Aus too, so I’ll be taking a couple of weeks with the kids and spending plenty of time with family.
How are you managing the down time? Leave you tips in the comments below.