When to take time off as a Solopreneur? This is a question ALL solopreneur wrestle with often. I struggle with this question. This weekend I finally crashed on my couch binge-watched a TV series. No computer time at all. We ordered food and made popcorn. The weather was crappy. I grabbed a blanket and vegetated. I felt tired and needed to just escape.
As a solopreneur, there is a fine line between working on your business and obsessing over your business. I take time for myself during the week. This includes walking, bike riding, and hanging with family and friends. This is not enough. An extended time away is necessary. I casually mentioned to my husband that it is time for a vacation. He agreed. It is time for this solopreneur to take time off!
How to plan a vacation
To plan a week’s vacation is easy. To take time off as a solopreneur, well this just seemed overwhelming. The emails alone seem staggering. Who will keep up with the clients? What if something becomes urgent? Who will contact you? Should I bring my laptop just in case? At a corporate job, most positions have a backup, someone to cover your job for urgent requests. If you own the company and are the only employee, there is no backup. Sigh.
With careful advance planning, you can take a vacation. As a Virtual Assistant, I can work anywhere. This is one of the benefits of being a Virtual Assistant, location independent. I also tell my clients in advance of my plans. As a Bookkeeper, I plan my vacation around the slower times of the month and year.
Tips to taking time off as a solopreneur
Some businesses have steady volume throughout the month and year. Here are some tips to help take time off as a solopreneur.
- Schedule your vacation 3-4 months in advance. Watch the progress of your project as your vacation time draws closer.
- The last thing you want to do is damage your relationships with your clients by taking a vacation and not telling them until the last minute that you won’t be around to take care of them as suggested by Businessing.
- Use the autoresponder to send a response of your time away.
- Check your email once a day for a pre-determined amount of time, ie 30 minutes.
- Schedule some social media to post, less than your usual amount.
- Hire a Virtual Assistant to monitor your emails for just the week you are gone. Leave directions for contacting you if needed. If a client emails in a panic, the Virtual Assistant will know how to respond according to your instructions.
- Maintain an ongoing relationship with a Virtual Assistant for other tasks such as posting to social media. They will monitor the posts. This relationship doesn’t have to be just when you are on vacation, but all the time. It is your backup. You only pay them when they actually work.
The benefits of a long weekend or better yet a full week vacation are long-reaching. By decompressing, new and fresh ideas emerge. Reconnecting with family and friends strengthens your soul. The chance to develop outside interests may spark a new passion. The change of scenery shakes up your routine. Experiencing new food or new activities at a different location is just plain fun. All good things!
Contact Monmouth Virtual Solutions to be your backup. We are here to help you take time off. Look at the sunset!! Enjoy the family!
