It is often argued that an entrepreneur cannot really take a holiday, although it is important for all of us to take care of our rest and recovery on a regular basis.
Good planning and forethought can help you take at least short breaks and leave certain moments of the day completely free from work. Here are some tips to help entrepreneurs take the time off they deserve.
1. Let your customers know about your holiday in good time
The earlier your customers know about your holiday, the easier it is to stick to it. In some cases, you can also easily schedule your holiday around your customers' holiday season. Agreeing on post-holiday arrangements also brings peace of mind and a sense of security about continuity. Remember to communicate the holiday through the electronic channels your company uses and use the automatic reply function in your email.
2. Create a rhythm with routines
If, for example, a self-employed person still has to work on holiday, it is important to schedule regular moments in your working day when you do not have to answer emails or phone calls immediately. Once these breaks become tried and tested routines, there is no longer any desire to let them slip away.
3. Accumulate holiday funds throughout the year
If at all possible, it is a good idea to build up your holiday budget early and gradually so that you can really relax on holiday without worrying about your income.
4. Do not make yourself irreplaceable
For a self-employed person, the business is naturally in the hands of one person, but even then, it should not rely on one person's memory. Writing down business practices and processes frees up time for other things and makes it easier to take time off and delegate tasks to others.
5. Take a holiday in the off-season
Entrepreneurship often gives you more freedom to decide your own working hours and the timing of your holidays. If summer is your busiest time, it can be easier to schedule shorter holidays outside the general holiday season, for example.
6. Remember to take at least a short holiday
The most important tip is to remember to take a holiday in the first place. If an entrepreneur does not prioritise taking care of himself or herself, exhaustion can bring the whole business down. If taking a long holiday feels difficult, even a short break will be good for you. The essential thing is to be able to take your mind off work for a while.
The holiday tips for entrepreneurs were given by Varma's Development Manager for Work Ability Management Kai Tolvanen, Rehabilitation Expert Liisa Kauranne and Sales Manager Suvi Kivilaakso.
The purpose of Varma's marketing communications is to promote earnings-related pension insurance and to market Varma's services. We also publish other content that may be relevant or of interest to an insurance policyholder or a person starting a business. This content is general information, and Varma is not responsible for its exhaustiveness. We cannot guarantee the applicability of the content to all situations and are therefore not liable for any damages caused by the use of the information in the published content. Any use of the information in the published content shall be at the user's own risk.
Ensure your wellbeing – have a look at the Entrepreneur's Guide to Work Ability!
As an entrepreneur, you are your company's most important asset. This means that it is vital that you take care of yourself and your work ability. Take advantage of our Entrepreneur's Guide to Work Ability that gives you tips on topics such as:
- The challenges of entrepreneurship
- Preventing entrepreneurial exhaustion
- Preparing for surprises and risks
- What to do when your work ability falters