As entrepreneurs, we can get so caught up in our work that we often forget to take some time out for ourselves. Taking a holiday from your business has to be one of the best things you can do. Self-care offers the opportunity to disconnect and get away from it all. Not only will you get to do the things you love, but you will also return to work feeling refreshed and ready to go. Plus, you may even find some inspiration along the way. Of course, taking time off while running your business can be stressful and it requires some thorough planning.
Whether you’re visiting family this holiday season or spending a few weeks in solitude at the beach, here are some top tips on how to set up your business so that you can take some well-needed time off.
- Plan Ahead
- Set goals for when you return in 2023
- Let people know
- Switch off your gadgets
- Mindset
- Enjoy
This blog is more about YOU as an entrepreneur, but I also have this recent podcast episode, where I talk about preparing your business itself for the holidays. Let’s get into it 🙂
Plan Ahead
Once you’ve decided to take a holiday, set some dates and lock it in. This way you can block off your calendar so that bookings can’t be made. When it comes to marketing, dedicate some time to scheduling social media posts. Write and schedule all emails, newsletters, and blog posts that will need to go out while you’re away. Make sure they are automated and remember that you don’t need to produce as much content as you usually would. The trick is to choose how often you want to post and be consistent.
Set some goals for when you return in 2023
Returning back to work after a holiday can be quite a difficult transition. Make it easier on yourself by planning ahead to help you feel prepared. Set some goals for 2023 to give you something to focus on. Put together a basic plan of action so you don’t walk back to work feeling disoriented. This can include things you need to do and things you hope to achieve in 2023. Try to keep your schedule clear for that first week back to allow yourself some time to adjust and catch-up.
Let the people that need to know, know
To make things run smoothly, communication is key. It can be easy to let everything go and disappear for a few weeks but you don’t want to damage your working relationships. Focus on the people who need to know like clients, customers and collaborators. Let them know when you are going away and when you plan to return. Make sure you don’t miss anyone by turning on your out-of-office. Be open with your clients and set boundaries so that they know exactly when to contact you. This way, you can enjoy your holiday without any interruptions.
Get tasks done ahead of time, but accept that some things won’t get finished
The week or two leading up to your holiday can often be quite chaotic. There will be lots of things you need to do aside from planning your trip and packing your bags. Declutter your mind by making a to-do list and prioritizing your tasks. Focus on the things that you have to get done first in order to complete those major tasks ahead of time. Break your list down into “must do”, “should do” and “can wait”. Of course, it’s always nice to get absolutely everything done before you go, but that’s not usually practical. You don’t want to burn yourself out completely and end up with no energy for your trip, right? If you don’t manage to get all of the “should do’s” done, that’s OK. Be kind to yourself, communicate your timeframe with others and save it for when you get back.
Switch off your gadgets
As entrepreneurs, you’ll know that our work never really ends. One look at your emails and you could be roped back into work mode before you even realize it. To avoid that from happening and to ensure that you get the rest you deserve, allow yourself the opportunity to switch off from your devices, social media accounts and emails. If you can’t completely turn off from everything, create a schedule around the celebrations and define set times when you will go online to catch up on emails and check notifications. Schedule some time to turn off those devices so that you can be fully in the moment. After all, how often do you get to disconnect from it all? Most importantly, try not to stress if you find yourself slipping into your emails. Do what works for you and take it easy.
Work on your mindset
It’s easy to feel guilty for taking time off. When we are relaxing, we often feel like we should be doing something else. In order to have an enjoyable holiday, start focussing on your mindset now. Remind yourself that time off is good for the mind and body. You’ve worked so hard and you deserve this break. Repeating phrases like “I’ve earnt this time off” and “I will feel better after this time off” will help you to adjust your mindset and experience a guilt-free getaway.
Most importantly. Enjoy it!
Once you’ve followed the above steps, it will be time to enjoy the holidays! Switch off from work, get involved, drink, eat, celebrate, see friends and spend quality time with family. YOU deserve to unplug from being the boss so sit back and relax!
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