Self-Employment & Vacation/Holiday - GoFuckYourself.com

deltav · 07-25-2013, 11:21 AM

Being self employed can be a blessing & a curse. Making your own schedule is fantastic, but on the flipside time away from work is time spent not making money - try as you might it can be hard to mentally just "leave it in the office" during your time off.

Got an upcoming vacation for a couple weeks, dates were planned a while ago. But it coincides with me being right in the middle of several projects, including some that've dragged on way longer than expected - didn't intend on that obviously, just how things worked out. At this point I really *should* be working thru that time period, but it's too late. It'll be fine, but I'm not going to be able to fully relax with all that crap on the back burner...

And seems like every time I go off the grid for more than a day or two, when I get back into civilization my inbox & voicemail are invariably filled with some crisis or glitch or whatnot that never happens all the days I'm actually in the office. Just part of the package when you run a paysite as a one man show I guess, but it'd be nice to spend a week lounging at a beachside hut Corona in hand somewhere in the tropics without having to worry about that shit.

It easy enough to say "it'll all be there when you get back, just let it go", harder to actually follow thru. Anyone else have trouble disengaging on your time off? Any tricks for doing it better?

Herb Kornfield · 07-25-2013, 11:34 AM

I am usually in the same position on every vacation.

Take 2 weeks off: Then week 1 everyone realizes you are out and leaves you alone to enjoy 1 quiet week.

_Richard_ · 07-25-2013, 11:38 AM

terrible time disengaging..

find myself desperately needing to go camping with no electronics about the same time ever year lol

Sly · 07-25-2013, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deltav

Any tricks for doing it better?

Create systems that allow your business to run without you at the helm every minute of the day. Everyone wants to think that this is not possible, but they are wrong. It's totally possible, plus will make your life AND business better.

The Heron · 07-25-2013, 12:35 PM

Take a laptop?

deltav · 07-25-2013, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Heron

Take a laptop?

Sure, when possible. I like my vacations off the grid though, i.e. no cell or internet service anywhere nearby. Even with the laptop, there's something to be said for not having to check in with your job for a week or two.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sly

Create systems that allow your business to run without you at the helm every minute of the day. Everyone wants to think that this is not possible, but they are wrong. It's totally possible, plus will make your life AND business better.

Yeah, I don't doubt you're correct on both counts. But it's daunting - where does one start? I've got a bit automated, but it's more the cust service & sudden tech issues that cause trouble. I swear, things run smoothly for the rest of the year then as soon as I'm on a tropical beach or sipping bourbon in front of a cabin fireplace, that's when the shit hits the fan.

Tom_PM · 07-25-2013, 12:47 PM

It's hard to take time off. I worked only for a few hours last Sunday, but it got me behind. I just caught up in fact. I treat myself on weekends by sleeping late and not logging onto Trillian unless requested basically. Vacation though? whew.. I don't remember how to do that thing.

kane · 07-25-2013, 12:54 PM

Unless I am actually going somewhere special I normally just take a few extra off and take short 3-4 day vacations. I will do this several times a year as a way to keep the batteries charged and keep from getting burned out.

Rochard · 07-25-2013, 02:13 PM

Take the laptop and keep on working. I took my laptop to Hawaii with me. I got up early, worked in the afternoon when I could, and then at night also.

Klen · 07-25-2013, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kane

Unless I am actually going somewhere special I normally just take a few extra off and take short 3-4 day vacations. I will do this several times a year as a way to keep the batteries charged and keep from getting burned out.

Yeah,it is better to take several short vacations then one big one.

xNetworx · 07-25-2013, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rochard

Take the laptop and keep on working. I took my laptop to Hawaii with me. I got up early, worked in the afternoon when I could, and then at night also.

DamianJ · 07-25-2013, 03:10 PM

Tell clients you are going away. Go away. Fairly simple.

07-25-2013, 11:21 AM	#1
deltav Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: May 2010 Location: USA Posts: 1,243	Self-Employment & Vacation/Holiday Being self employed can be a blessing & a curse. Making your own schedule is fantastic, but on the flipside time away from work is time spent not making money - try as you might it can be hard to mentally just "leave it in the office" during your time off. Got an upcoming vacation for a couple weeks, dates were planned a while ago. But it coincides with me being right in the middle of several projects, including some that've dragged on way longer than expected - didn't intend on that obviously, just how things worked out. At this point I really should be working thru that time period, but it's too late. It'll be fine, but I'm not going to be able to fully relax with all that crap on the back burner... And seems like every time I go off the grid for more than a day or two, when I get back into civilization my inbox & voicemail are invariably filled with some crisis or glitch or whatnot that never happens all the days I'm actually in the office. Just part of the package when you run a paysite as a one man show I guess, but it'd be nice to spend a week lounging at a beachside hut Corona in hand somewhere in the tropics without having to worry about that shit. It easy enough to say "it'll all be there when you get back, just let it go", harder to actually follow thru. Anyone else have trouble disengaging on your time off? Any tricks for doing it better? __________________ ********* DeltaofVenus.com - Vintage Erotica from the 1800s through 1979

07-25-2013, 12:47 PM	#7
Tom_PM Porn Meister Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 16,443	It's hard to take time off. I worked only for a few hours last Sunday, but it got me behind. I just caught up in fact. I treat myself on weekends by sleeping late and not logging onto Trillian unless requested basically. Vacation though? whew.. I don't remember how to do that thing. __________________ 43-922-863 Shut up and play your guitar.

07-25-2013, 02:13 PM	#9
Rochard Jägermeister Test Pilot Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: NORCAL Posts: 73,662	Take the laptop and keep on working. I took my laptop to Hawaii with me. I got up early, worked in the afternoon when I could, and then at night also. __________________ “The choice is no longer between right or left. The choice is between normal and crazy.” - Sarah Huckabee Sanders YNOT MAIL \| THE BEST ADULT MAILING SOLUTION

07-25-2013, 11:34 AM	#2
Herb Kornfield Is on the 1 Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Philly Burbs Posts: 4,996	I am usually in the same position on every vacation. Take 2 weeks off: Then week 1 everyone realizes you are out and leaves you alone to enjoy 1 quiet week.

07-25-2013, 11:38 AM	#3
_Richard_ Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Earth Posts: 30,989	terrible time disengaging.. find myself desperately needing to go camping with no electronics about the same time ever year lol

07-25-2013, 12:35 PM	#5
The Heron Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Michigan Posts: 4,487	Take a laptop?

07-25-2013, 12:54 PM	#8
kane Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: portland, OR Posts: 20,684	Unless I am actually going somewhere special I normally just take a few extra off and take short 3-4 day vacations. I will do this several times a year as a way to keep the batteries charged and keep from getting burned out.

07-25-2013, 03:10 PM	#12
DamianJ Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: A magical land Posts: 15,808	Tell clients you are going away. Go away. Fairly simple.