Many sole traders and small business owners struggle to take unpaid leave from their work. The pressure to continue working when jobs and clients are available can make it difficult to prioritise time off for oneself. 73% of small business owners take fewer than 20 days of holiday per year, compared to employees who are entitled to a minimum of 28 days.
Taking a holiday often means stepping away completely from your business – which can be a daunting prospect, especially if you’re the sole person responsible and no income will be coming in during that time. That said, even a short break can do wonders for your energy levels, perspective, and creativity. Here are some tips to help you prepare your finances and business admin so you can enjoy a well-deserved holiday without the stress.
Plan your finances
It’s not always easy to save, especially when your income fluctuates. However, setting aside a dedicated holiday fund can give you peace of mind when the time comes to take time off. Creating a business budget and forecasting your cash flow can help you manage your money more effectively and prepare for any dips in income. Alternatively, you might look to take on additional work ahead of your planned break to help build up a financial buffer.
Choose your timing
Many businesses experience quieter periods throughout the year. If you know when your industry typically slows down, you might choose to schedule your holiday during that time. For instance, if you’re a personal trainer, January might be your busiest month as clients set new fitness resolutions. In that case, December – when things tend to be calmer – could be an ideal time to take a break. That said, if you have children your options will be much more limited by the school term dates. Fortunately, August tends to be a very quiet month for nearly all industries due to the number of parents needing to take time off, so you may find that this works well for you if all your clients are off on holiday as well!
Plan your workload
Planning your time off well in advance allows you to organise your workload accordingly and inform clients or customers of your absence. You can aim to complete high-priority tasks beforehand, while postponing others until your return. Make use of scheduling tools to keep your marketing efforts running smoothly in your absence. You could line up social media posts, pre-plan email campaigns, and set up automated invoicing or payment reminders. You might also explore using AI or other automation tools to streamline repetitive tasks in the run-up to your holiday, making the most of your available time.
Set a realistic schedule
While you’re away, you may still feel the need to check in on work occasionally. If so, consider allocating a set time each day – perhaps 20–30 minutes – to respond to emails or messages. Just be mindful not to let that time overrun and eat into your break. Setting clear boundaries is useful both while working and on holiday, helping you avoid overcommitting and ensuring you get the rest you need.
Tell the world!
Let your clients know in advance about your break and make sure key deadlines will be met before you leave. It’s also wise to set an out-of-office email response and share your holiday dates on social media so everyone is kept in the loop. Don’t forget to update your website or online shop with details of your time away – especially if you manage orders yourself and there will be a delay in fulfilling orders.
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