Taking a vacation can prove challenging enough if you work in a busy office and your skills are in demand. If you run your own business, however, the thought of walking away for a week or two may seem more frightening than fun. As a small business owner, and especially as a sole proprietor, you may justifiably feel that the success of your business depends on your constant presence and effort. Still, all work and no play leads to burnout that won’t help you or the clients who depend on you to be at your best.
Instead of skipping vacations, use good planning to make sure your getaway won’t equal a crisis for your business.
Plan Ahead
While impromptu vacations can be fun, they may not make the best choice for small business owners. Your vacation will likely cause fewer problems for your business if you plan as far in advance as possible and let your clients know when you will take your break. This way, they have the opportunity to adjust their projects, schedules and expectations. If there is critical work to be done, they can send it your way far enough in advance that you can finish it before your departure date. Otherwise, they can plan for the completion of their projects when you return. Be sure to remind clients when you will leave for vacation (a week in advance is optimal), and create a voice mail message and email autoresponder that lets clients and prospects know when you will return.
Get Help
Though you may be the heart, soul and even the brain of your business, chances are there’s someone who can keep it afloat while you’re on vacation. This person may handle critical tasks that can’t wait until you return or take care of all your operations while you’re on holiday. Often, clients will feel more comfortable with your absence if they know there’s a friendly, competent stand-in available to handle questions, concerns and can’t-wait tasks. Start training someone to help early on, and by the time you’re ready to leave, you’ll do so with full confidence. Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily need a full-time employee for this type of coverage. A part-time assistant or business partner can often step in to help.
Vacation at the Right Time
There is a right and a wrong time to take a vacation when you own a small business. Though as your own boss you should be able to take off whenever you want, this might not work well in practice. Instead, choose one of your slower times to take a vacation. Both you and your clients will experience fewer headaches with this approach. If you find that you just have to get away during a peak time, consider a mini-vacation instead of a week or two away. For example, you can start a mini-vacation on Friday morning and plan to be back in the office on Tuesday.
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