Gone Fishing for the Holidays!

In the corporate world and in certain types of jobs elsewhere you start work with a set number of holidays; two, three, or even four weeks. You are also given recognized holidays off, and a set number of sick days for things that come up such as childcare, unexpected events, illness, or an accident, times you may need to take time away. It's something that most people take for granted and don't think of as a benefit.

For those of us in the entrepreneurial space, it's different. Friends are often surprised to find that we may be doing work on vacation, a holiday, or weekend.  When you set your routine, especially if you're working with clients globally as I do, you need to be available in different time zones. This may or may not allow you to take part in holidays at the same time as everyone else. Of course, big holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's are somewhat taboo for working, but there are many other holidays that are not as important, recognized by everyone, or observed. Differences between religions, races, and countries exist too.

As a business owner things sometimes creep up on you like holidays. You're working hard on your business ensuring you keep customers happy, delivering on your promises, uncovering new client opportunities, and generating revenue. Sometimes I work well into the morning hours with momentum on a project, not realizing what time it is. As we strive to work on our business more than in our business we can better affect and control schedules.

It becomes a mix of juggling work, self-care, and making friends and family happy as to how much or little you celebrate various holidays, and take a vacation. Take the pressure off, holidays and vacations should be fun!

Here are a few tips that will help you manage your holidays;

• Plan in advance and coordinate with your friends and family
• Communicate your intentions ahead of time, especially to clients
• Ensure you set a holiday/vacation budget and stick to it
• Recognize you may need to be available for other’s holiday timing 
• Schedule your calendar to accommodate others as needed
• For travel, coordinate alternate days, weeks, or years with others
• Don't beat yourself up for a different schedule to friends or family
• Recognize that you do need to take time off
• Remember you will never make everyone happy, don’t try!

It primarily comes down to scheduling and understanding your calendar in advance. What are priorities to get done and by when, what is important, and where do you have flexibility? Once you identify these and set your time accordingly it will allow you to facilitate your involvement more easily. You can explain to loved ones which days you're going to be working and when you are available to get involved in the fun.

This is not only about holidays, it is also you taking time, going on vacation, enjoying things that excite you, and loving life.  Go Fishing!

Today you may be working hard long hours to achieve self-sustainability for your business to operate independently and generate revenue waiting for time for yourself and your loved ones. As an entrepreneur, any day can be a workday. It is up to you to set your boundaries as well as priorities and make it work in various aspects of life. 

I am referred to as an "organizing/calendar pro". If you need help building your calendar and getting it to where it works for you I'd be happy to chat. Please, reach out to me.  

In the meantime Click to Uncover Scheduling Tips to Your Next Holiday