...and some more if you don't/can't!
Many entrepreneurs keep waiting for the right time to leave on vacation. Others feel that taking time off can lead to missed opportunities and missed income.
With the proper planning, small business owners can take that time away from the daily grind and come back refreshed and ready for the second half of the year. Here 5 tips to make your time away as enjoyable and worry-free as possible.
Before You Leave
Schedule Wisely
Each industry has moments in the year where things get really slow. Schedule your time off around these periods so they don't interfere with the high times and you can leave without the fear of missing business.
Get Prepared
Let big customers know who they can contact in your absence and brief key employees (if you have them). Make a checklist of items to complete before you go on vacation to avoid moments of panic which include administrative stuff like bills, pending matters with suppliers, and if possible wrap up on lose ends. This does take time, but it will go great lengths into securing your peace of mind.
Plan ahead
Write down a list of things you want to tackle when you get back from your break. In that fashion your re-entry will be a smooth one and you can get on top of things in record time.
During Your Vacation
Set a Designated
Work Time
You don't want your work to completely takeover what is supposed to be a vacation, but for small business owners, it's sometimes impossible to leave and totally unplug of the daily management. If this is your case, set designated time for you to do tasks like checking email and making phone calls.
Relax & Enjoy
Vacation is an opportunity to step back from your hectic pace, refresh and get rid of the feelings of overwhelm. If you give yourself time to relax, you're more likely to find renewed energy and be more creative when you return to your business. Fortunately, there's no need to spend long periods of time away from your business in order to come back refreshed and invigorated.
What if you can't or don't plan to leave?
The summer months are slow anyway as people seem to have their minds set on their vacation destination or planning activities to keep their kids busy. If for any reason you aren't leaving and wish to make the best of the lazy times, here some ideas to leverage on the slow pace of things.
Take Some Time
to Think
Once a week, or the whole summer, indulge in some thinking time. New ideas, projects, services or other personal projects you wish to tackle.
Clean Your
Mailing List
Remove old, inactive
or silent contacts.
Reorganise Your
Favorites & Bookmarks
Divide them in categories, and remove those which aren't relevant.
Make Backups
of your blog, website
& computer.
Read
the magazines you've been collecting for the last three months.
Clean Up
Throw away the magazines you've been collecting the last three months.
Unsusbcribe
from all the newsletters, mails, and all other stuff you are not reading.
Invite 3 important
clients for lunch
and use the time to find out what are they up to, how you can help them (even better than you already did).
Be grateful
Write a thank you note to a mentor, teacher or former boss, just for all they have done or meant for you.
Spend some time
volunteering
at your preferred charity, and put your expertise at their service.
Update
your social
media profile & pictures.
Sign up
for that webinar or course you've always intended to do, but never had time for.
Infographics: bridge2MORE
Image: Flickr / "Front row seats!" by Baskar Peddhapati (with modifications) / CC BY 2.0
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