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Get Away from it All
Sacha Cohen writes for www.ework.com – a Ms.Money partner.
Between running your own business and juggling projects, who has time to go on vacation? For many independent professionals, the mere thought of taking time off often seems impossible. But, as anyone who has been solo for a while will tell you, vacations — whether they are for a weekend or a month — are essential to your sanity, your productivity, and the long-term success of your business.
Rule #1: Give your clients plenty of notice and tie up loose ends. When's
the right time to let your clients know that you'll be unavailable?
Well, that depends on the type of work you do and how long you will
be away. In my case, all of my projects have very firm deadlines,
so if I'm going away, I clear my schedule for the time I'll be on
vacation and finish up projects well ahead of time. If you plan
to be away for more than a week, you should give clients at least
a month's notice.
Rule #2: Make sure you have some projects lined up when
you return. Before going away, schedule a few projects that
you'll be able to throw yourself into post-vacation. In my
case, I make sure I have a day or two to get settled back
into my work life before any projects are due. Remember, the
longer you're away, the more time you'll need to re-adjust
and catch up on your voicemail and e-mail.
Here are some ideas, from mini-vacation to full-blown sabbaticals, that every eWorker should consider.
Play Hooky. Don't overlook the value of day-trips or even just a day
off. Go golfing, schedule a full day of pampering at a local day
spa, visit museums, or go to the movies. One of the perks of working
for yourself is that you can take a day off mid-week if your schedule
permits. It's amazing how even a short break can help renew your
mind and spirit.
Make Time for Quick Escapes. What many people don't realize
is that even a three-day weekend getaway can be very rewarding.
For example, I recently visited a spa in West Virginia for two days.
During that time, I went horseback riding, canoeing, swimming, and
even got a massage. Being away from e-mail and the phone for a short
time helped me relax, and when I returned home, I was rejuvenated
and ready to get back to work. Remember: It's generally much easier
to squeeze a few short getaways into your schedule than it is to
plan a three-week vacation, so don't overlook the benefits of quick
escapes. Pull out your calendar, mark all the national holidays
and three-day weekends that most "regular" employees will have off
and try to schedule your breaks around them.
Combine Business and Pleasure. I've found that one of the
best ways to avoid feeling guilty about vacations is to turn business
trips into mini-vacations. For example, you might attend a two-day
conference and extend your stay through the weekend during which
time you can forgo work and just have a good time. Recently, I flew
to L.A. for the Internet World conference, and was able to tack
on a few extra days in nearby Santa Monica to visit friends.
Take a Sabbatical. After my first year in business, I decided
to reward myself with a three-week vacation to Europe. I had about
four months to plan my vacation, tell my clients, and get all my
projects finished before taking off. The key here is planning —
not only financially, but mentally as well. Figure out how much
time you can afford to be away, what you can spend, and what type
of trip you've always been itching to take. If you don't prepare
properly, you'll end up spending precious R&R time worrying about
the state of your business when you return.
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