Take a Vacation from your Business

Most of us look forward to those two weeks a year of vacation (if we are lucky, they are in a row and we are going away!), but with it usually comes a lot of stress as well, especially if you own your own business. It is very hard to "leave it behind" and actually relax, but you need that time to unwind, recharge and spend time with your family and friends. Of course, at the same time, you still need to stay in business and you want things to run as smoothly as possible while you are away.

What usually ends up happening nowadays is people end up checking their Blackberry every 1/2 hour, pulling out their laptop and working an hour or two everyday and spend at least an hour a day returning phone calls - now is that really a vacation?? I think not. This year, why not plan ahead and make it a goal to take a real vacation? Here are some steps to take a vacation from your business!

Before you go:

1. If possible, have someone cover for you. This person should know that you are taking "a real" vacation this year and they should NOT contact you unless something is an emergency. They should be able to field your calls, take messages, handle problems, take orders, etc. Do the same for them when they take a vacation.
2. Let your clients know in advance that you will be going on vacation. Ask them to get all requests in by a certain date so you can handle them beforehand or to please wait until after a certain date and you will handle them when you return. Let them know who they should call for assistance during your absence if you have the type of business that provides support.
3. Get as caught up as possible. Finish up your projects, tie up loose ends. If possible, don’t start any new projects until you return.
4. Think about the things that must be done (that you would normally do) during the time that you would be gone and figure out a plan to handle them. For example, I send out weekly email blasts for one of my clients every Wednesday and will be gone for 2 weeks this summer. Now, I *could* send them out while I am on vacation like I did last year, but instead, I talked to my client and we agreed that I would set them up the week before I leave and set them to go out automatically on their scheduled dates/times. Problem solved!
5. Set your vacation "away message" on your email. Leave the phone number of the person who should be contacted while you are away. This should be left on your voice mail as well.
6. Make a list of everything that you need to work on when you return. This is a great way to "wrap up" and is also helpful to get you started when you get back.
7. Clean your desk! This way, when you return, you will come back to a "fresh start".
8. Leave your work at work! Don’t even think about "taking a little work" with you! C’mon! This is supposed to be your vacation! Is it REALLY necessary? How about going to the library or bookstore and picking up something that you can read for pleasure instead?

While you are away:

1. Turn your Blackberry, cellphone, beeper, etc. OFF! If you must check it, designate a certain time once or twice a day only and then TURN IT BACK OFF! Don’t let constant interruptions spoil the time you have set aside to be with your family. If you have voice messages, only return urgent calls immediately (and seriously, are they really urgent?) and if possible call the person you have designated to cover for you and let them return the rest.
2. Forget about work. Don’t even think about it. Focus on you, your family, and enjoying your vacation.

When you come back:

1. Turn off your vacation message.
2. Return your voice mail back to your normal message.
3. Check your messages!
4. Get out that list and jump right in! You should be nice and recharged and ready to go!