4 tips to take a stress-free break

Relax knowing your calls are in safe hands

If the thought of taking a week off work fills you with dread and anxiety, then it’s probably a strong sign you’re overdue one.

But if you’re feeling apprehensive, you’re far from alone. A recent survey by Xero found that 76% of entrepreneurs regularly forgo time away in order to keep their businesses ticking over.

While it’s a struggle for many to let go of the reins for a while, a really good break can not only let you recharge and spend time with your family and friends – but allows you a priceless perspective of your business while you’re away.

‘That’s all very well,’ you’re probably thinking, if you’re a small business owner. ‘But how can I make sure everything is getting done while I’m at the beach?’

Don’t worry. You can easily take a stress-free break if you prepare properly. Here are our tips.

Prepare your team

If you work with a team, give them a really good handover. Project-stages, deadlines, and anything that could crop up in your absence should be included. Don’t leave this to the last minute, give them chance to digest it, and you’ll be able to answer any questions they may have.

If you’re shy to delegate work, now is the time to form the habit. Taking a break will shine a spotlight on you if you’re trying to do too much, and not leaning on your team. Use this to your advantage when you get back.

Tell your clients

An extraordinary amount of people still go on holiday and don’t tell their clients. Let’s face it, it’s rude and could be damaging to your relationship with them. Avoid surprising them with an Out Of Office, and actually tell them you’re going away.

This helps both them and you prepare for any impact this may have, particularly if you are midway through a project or coming up to a deadline. The chances are you won’t be abandoning ship midway through an important job, and they’ll understand that you need a break too.

Avoid any last-minute tasks like the plague

Taking on a few last-minute jobs can quickly snowball into something bigger. Leaving you panicking and stressed just before you leave. In the last few days before your break, make sure you read over your checklist and free your diary. This way, you’ll be able to handle any small late jobs.

If something lands in your inbox that you just can’t say no to, see if you can pick it up in a week’s time. Or pass it on to a colleague.

Before you switch it off…

The benefits of a digital detox are increasingly reported, particularly as we spend more time ‘connected’ to our phones and computers. This doesn’t mean neglecting your business duties though. This can keep ticking along without your input, with products to keep the engine running while you’re on a break.

Keep your social media feeds up-to-date with Hootsuite. This lets you schedule posts to your Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn accounts all from one app. Whilst it doesn’t reply to comments, it does keep your social media activity up, avoiding a deserted feed. Just make sure you don’t post anything that will require a response.

Likewise, ensure any business calls you miss on your mobile are answered instead of going to voicemail. With Mobile Answering your Moneypenny PA will take the call details and send them through to you as a message via the app. You can relax knowing that you’re not missing out on any new enquiries while on holiday.