Serious question regarding how to take a holiday!

[Squid]

Being self employed your holidays cost you more then if you where PAYE.......

 

[Bob Geldoff1234]

I am currently in LA on vacation as the Americans would say. I tell all my regular customers a couple of weeks before and then approx a week before I go I change my voice mail to say that I am already on holiday. Trying to get everything done before you go is the main problem. On a side note,while here in LA I have bought a pay as you go sim for my unlocked phone which has cost $30 and I can phone and text the UK for nowt and also use as much data as I like while out and about.

 

[elsparko]

dont most small companies compensate for this by taking trades fortnight and xmas off? taking trades fortnight was not a choice at my first job, since there was only the boss there and he was taking those days regardless

 

[elsparko]

what's a holiday?

everyday of my life

 

[elsparko]

Just take the time off and send your customers this card

when i do actually have to nip away for 30 mins to get something the customer does always seem amazed that i actually came back when i said i would

 

[Octopus]

We had our first 2 week holiday last year and we went to America ....

My mobile is on Vodafone and they have a (poorly advertised) option to just have an outgoing message on you message options.......... The message was quite blunt ............. I'm on holiday but email me if you want to leave me a message.

Our home phone was diverted to my mobile

My mobile was taken with us but switched off. My laptop was left at home.

My internet / email provider put an out of office on my email saying I was on holiday and would respond when I got back.

I did take our ipad which has my business emails on it - I only replied to 1 email while I was away and it was simply to confirm what time I would be back to a job on my first day back ...

It really helped me to relax.

 

[pirate]

Always a problem, but it is essential to have holidays, for you and your family. It's not cool to be answering the mobile constantly by the pool...that is for ex-photocopier salesmen and dodgy dealers.
If a customer wants you, make sure you leave a suitable message, but do not phone them...would they phone you when on holiday themselves?
If they are regulars, they will wait for your return. If it's a true emergoncy, well they will find someone else...that's life.
HOLIDAYS ARE ESSENTIAL! The work will still be there when you get back, and you will deal with it far better after a break.
No customer is going to miss his holiday for you, so why should you miss your holiday for him/her?
Work to live, don't live to work...trite, maybe...but so true.

 

[Rpa07]

I managed a whole week in Cornwall - I was very busy up to it and busy from the day I got back but that week was silent (except for 1 call) and very relaxing.
I was given the week off and I took it.
I’ve planned for next year already! just in case!

 

[buzzlightyear]

me my self I'm always on holiday .switch off ,all work and no play makes jack a dull boy .

 

[pirate]

Fortunately, I am always on holiday too...retiral does that for you!
Having said that, since I got involved with a charity recently I have been working 9-5, five days a week, not being paid, obviously,
however, my wife loves it! Peace for her all day!