As a freelancer, one of the great things about taking a holiday is that you can work from anywhere in the world. Whether you want to spend a few weeks soaking up the sun in Spain or exploring the temples of Thailand, there’s no need to worry about finding a place to work.
As long as you have a laptop and an internet connection, you can easily keep on top of your work commitments while enjoying some time away from home. Of course, it’s important to make sure that you’re well-organised before you go, as there’s nothing worse than coming back from a holiday to a huge backlog of work.
But with a little planning, taking a break as a freelancer can be a great way to recharge your batteries and come back feeling refreshed and ready to take on whatever comes your way.
Why you need a holiday
It’s been a long year. You’ve worked hard and you deserve a break. A holiday is the perfect way to recharge your batteries, relax and enjoy some well-earned time off. It doesn’t matter where you go or what you do, just take some time for yourself, disconnect from work and social media, and enjoy the moment.
A change of scenery can do wonders for your mental health, so even if you just take a few days to visit somewhere new, you’ll come back feeling refreshed and ready to face the world again. So don’t wait, book that ticket and enjoy a well-deserved break. Your friends and family will be happy to see you when you’re back, but they’ll be even more excited to see the new, relaxed version of you.
It’s never easy to step away from work. But there are ways in which you can enjoy a holiday. Here are some tips on how to get away, without damaging your business
Give clients plenty of notice
As a freelancer you are your own boss but its still important to give your clients plenty of notice for any changes or updates to your services. This includes everything from changes in pricing to new features or benefits that might be of interest to them. By giving your clients plenty of notice, you’re not only helping to keep them informed, but you’re also building trust and goodwill.
In today’s competitive marketplace, those are two things that can make all the difference. So when it comes time to make a change, be sure to give your clients the heads up well in advance. They’ll appreciate it – and you’ll be glad you did.
Deal with ongoing deadlines and work
As anyone who has ever worked on a long-term project knows, it can be difficult to stay motivated when there is no end in sight. However, it is important to remember that even though a deadline may be many months or even years away, every step forward is still progress. The best way to deal with ongoing deadlines is to break the work down into smaller goals.
For instance, rather than thinking about finishing the entire project, focus on completing one section at a time. Or set a goal for each week or month. By taking things one step at a time, it will be easier to stay on track and make steady progress towards the ultimate goal.
Deliver things before you go
As anyone who has ever gone on holiday knows, it can be difficult to relax and enjoy yourself when you’re worried about work. One of the best ways to avoid this stress is to deliver your work before you go on holiday. This way, you can be confident that everything is taken care of and you won’t have to worry about it while you’re away.
Of course, this isn’t always possible, but if you can plan ahead and get your work done in advance, it will make a world of difference. So next time you’re planning a trip, be sure to deliver your work first!
Put systems in place
In any business, large or small, there are always going to be a million and one things to do. But, if you want your business to grow and thrive, it is essential to put systems in place even simple things like setting an out of office reply on your emails, and changing your mobile answer phone message explaining you are on annual leave.
It might seem like a lot of work upfront, but it will pay off in the long run. Not only will you have more time to focus on strategic tasks, but you will also have peace of mind knowing that your business is running like a well-oiled machine.
In case of emergency
Your client has just called, asking if you can come over right away to take care of some urgent jobs. But you are away on holiday, it worth teaming up with other freelances to cover your work should you be out the country.
This can be a pressing issue if you are a developer and need access to your laptop, or need to attend the clients premises, its worth passing working closely with a trusted freelancer that can cover your work for a week or two.
Hire a virtual assistant
As any busy professional knows, there are only so many hours in the day. Even with a diligent effort to manage time, there always seem to be more tasks than there is time to complete them. This is where a virtual assistant can be a lifesaver. Virtual assistants are skilled at handling a variety of tasks, from scheduling appointments to handling customer inquiries.
They can also help with more mundane tasks, such as sorting through emails and organizing files. Best of all, they can be hired on an as-needed basis, which means you only pay for the services you use. If you’re looking for a way to free up some time in your schedule, consider hiring a virtual assistant.
Find a fellow freelancer to help while you’re away
If you’re a freelancer, then chances are you’re used to working on your own. But what happens when you want to take a holiday? Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make sure your business stays afloat while you’re away. First, reach out to your network of fellow freelancers and see if anyone is available to help out while you’re gone.
Not only will this give you peace of mind, but it will also help build goodwill within your community. You can also set up automated systems to keep your business running in your absence. For example, you can create automatic responses to emails and schedule social media posts in advance.
Finally, make sure to leave clear instructions for anyone who is helping out in your absence. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your business will stay up and running even while you’re on holiday.
Prepare the finances
As any business owner knows, having a clear understanding of your finances is essential for success. By tracking your income and expenses, you can get a clear picture of your business’s financial health and make informed decisions about where to allocate your resources. There are a number of ways to track your finances, but one of the most effective is to use budgeting software.
Budgeting software can help you keep track of your income and expenses, as well as set spending limits for each category. This can be an invaluable tool for keeping your businesses finances in order and ensuring that you are making the most of your money as you will not be earring for a week or two.
Go at the right time
For most people, the ideal time to take a holiday is when they have no work obligations. However, this is often not possible due to the demands of the job. In order to make the most of your holiday, it is important to choose a time that works well with your work schedule.
For example, if you have a lot of deadlines and projects due at the end of the year, taking a holiday in December may not be the best idea. Instead, try to plan your trip for a time when you will be able to relax and enjoy yourself without worrying about work. By making a few simple adjustments, you can ensure that you have a stress-free and enjoyable holiday.
Turn off notifications
Notifications can be a helpful way to stay on top of important information, but they can also be a huge distraction. If you’re trying to focus on a task or just enjoy some quiet time, the constant stream of notifications can be overwhelming.
Luckily, most devices allow you to turn off notifications completely or customize them so that you only receive the ones that are most important to you. Taking a few minutes to adjust your notification settings can help you reclaim some peace and quiet.
Have a digital detox
In our increasingly digital world, it’s easy to get caught up in a never-ending cycle of checking our phones, scrolling through social media, and replying to work emails. This constant connection can leave us feeling frazzled and stressed. It’s important to take some time for a digital detox, disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with the world around us. One way to do this is to set aside some time each day to disconnect from your devices.
Turn off your phone, put away your laptop, and take a break from the screen. Spend some time outside in nature, read a book, or just sit and relax. This break will help you to recharge and refocus. In addition, try to limit your screen time in general. Set limits on how often you check your phone or social media accounts. Dedicate some time each week to disconnecting from the digital world and enjoying the simple things in life.
A final thought
Most freelancers get anxiety about going on holiday and are tempted to take their laptop with them, remember you are only for a week or two.
Your clients will still be there once you return, fully refreshed and eager to return, its worth remember if you need to take your lap top only using it in an emergency as a holiday will ensure that you do not suffer burnout and become more productive as a freelancer upon your return.
Seasoned professional with a strong passion for the world of business finance. With over twenty years of dedicated experience in the field, my journey into the world of business finance began with a relentless curiosity for understanding the intricate workings of financial systems.