81: How to Take a Stress-Free Vacation from Your Online Business
Ever feel like taking a vacation from your business is more stressful than staying home? Let’s fix that!
In this episode, Heather discusses how to actually enjoy a vacation without worrying about your business falling apart while you’re gone. She shares real-life tips to help you plan ahead, batch your work, and set up systems like automated email responses so you can truly relax. You’ll get advice on managing sales and customer service before you head out and why taking time to refresh is so important.
Plus, there’s a little holiday cheer and encouragement to prioritize yourself this season. You deserve it!
Key Takeaways:
- (02:40) 4 steps to plan a vacation from your business
- (04:45) Handling customer service issues; setting up automated emails
- (05:50) Maintaining income during your break
- (07:20) Heather’s process for taking a break
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How to Step Away from Your Business and Enjoy the Holidays
With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s the perfect time to plan your vacation as a business owner. Trust me, I understand the challenges you face in stepping away from your business—after all, I have walked in your shoes.
Today, I’ve transitioned into running a successful online business, and one secret to my success is knowing when and how to take a break.
Planning Ahead for a Stress-Free Holiday Season
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to take a well-deserved vacation without compromising your business.
Step 1: Plan Ahead and Schedule Your Vacation
First things first, you need to plan ahead. Sounds simple, right? But this step is critical.
Scheduling your vacation in advance ensures that you have a set date to look forward to. Write the dates down, put them on your calendar, and make it real. For instance, if you decide your vacation will be from December 24th to January 2nd, note it down and make it a concrete plan.
Vague aspirations of “taking a vacation sometime in December” will never materialize unless you specify when and where.
Step 2: Decide to Unplug Completely
The next step is making a firm decision not to work during your vacation. This is easier said than done when it’s your business, but the key is in the preparation.
Preventing yourself from getting entangled in work means you must prepare in advance, which leads us to the next step: batching your work ahead of time.
Step 3: Batch Work Ahead of Time
Batching refers to completing all the tasks that need to be done during your vacation well in advance.
For example, you can pre-write and schedule your emails, content, and social media posts. The goal is to get all this done before your holiday begins.
This will allow you to step away without the constant worry of pending tasks.
Step 4: Leave Your Computer Behind
This might feel like a high-wire act without a safety net, but leaving your computer behind is essential for a genuine break. Resist the urge to bring your laptop to holiday dinners or family gatherings.
In emergencies, most issues can be handled from your phone. Therefore, make a conscious choice to leave your laptop at home. Emergencies aren’t typically as dire as they may seem at the moment and can often be postponed until you’re back at work.
Step 5: Set Up Automated Responses for Emails
One practical way to ensure everything runs smoothly in your absence is automated responses for your email.
If you’re using Google Workspace, it’s easy to set a vacation message under your email settings. This automated response can inform clients and partners that you’re out of the office and specify when they can expect a response.
If you have someone on your team, even a part-time assistant, they could handle customer emails, ensuring timely replies without interrupting your break.
Step 6: Pre-Plan Sales or Income Strategies
If you need to make money during your vacation, consider scheduling a sale in advance. Using your email list to announce a holiday sale or special promotion can bring in revenue while allowing you to stay detached from work.
If this seems too stressful, you can always plan to make up the income during other times of the month or year. Adding an extra sale or running additional ads can help normalize your revenue streams.
Flexibility and Balance: The Perks of Being Your Own Boss
Imagine taking a break when your family does, syncing your vacation with your partner’s time off, or enjoying the holidays without the stress of work.
The ability to plan your time flexibly is one of the greatest benefits of running your own business. Yes, there might be instances when you have to open your computer for a crucial task, but these should be minimal.
Returning Refreshed and Reinvigorated
Taking a break isn’t just about time off; it’s about gaining a new perspective.
Stepping away allows you to return with fresh ideas, renewed energy, and a clearer vision for growing your business. It’s an invaluable investment in both your personal well-being and your professional success.
As we head into the holiday season, I wish you a joyful, relaxing, and restorative break. Remember, it’s okay to step away from your computer; your business will be there when you get back, and you’ll be better prepared to take it to new heights.