Self Employed + Vacation = Can you really relax? (Your experience?)

[Heiko]

Hi there fellow BHW Friends,

2 more days until i am going on a vacation to Egypt for 2 weeks. This is also the first time since my self employment that i am going on a longer vacation where i cannot work much at all. Since i know there are a few self employed people here i wanted to ask a few questions and get some opinions on this.

1) Can you really relax as a self employed person when you are on a vacation? Should you avoid checking all work at all cost or do you bring your laptop with you..just..in...case...

2) My biggest fear (and that may sound stupid) is that i will become a lazy ass after coming back from the vacation, thinking that i can just chillax my whole life right now because what the hell, revenue-share right. Any similar experiences or do you come back with a fresh mind? Because i seem to procrastinate a lot lately and in my head, the vacation might help me, or it might make me even more lazier? Whats your experience?

I am truly thankful for anyone that shares his opinion with me here

best regards

 

[JamesBlake]

I haven’t relaxed in three years.

 

[Topiano]

I think the whole vacation thing is overrated for Entrepreneurs. If you still young man - To me it's the best time to fuel your wood to keep it burning.

You seem scared of you leaving your business right ? it shows you ain't ready yet for such long vacation.

 

[Meerkatt]

1) In my opinion, this entirely depends on your own mentality and what sort of industry/work you do. If you need to handle "customer service" type of inquiries then I guess it may be good to spend 30-60 minutes per day dealing with them. If your business is basically "auto-pilot" and doesn't need you to do any work on a day to day basis, then I guess no point to bring your work on your vacation. Do you feel like you "over-work" during the week and feel that you really need the vacation? If so, it can be a good time to completely disconnect. Have some time away from screens/computers and just relax.
On the other hand, you might feel like it's nice to work over there, in a different environment, and might get bored if you're just sat at a beach or relaxing by the pool. Some people are addicted to working and want to work all the time, some prefer to manage their time and spend x days per year working and x days per year relaxing.


2) I don't see why you would think this. If you had the choice of having a vacation for the rest of your life, I can guarantee you that after a short while you would be bored to death and would do anything to work

 

[PinguSpy]

2) yep. It disturb my focus. Took me 2 weeks to stay back on the line

 

[Ninah]

If you are working from home you are constantly in vacation mode even if you are working 24/7...trust me on that, I was a corporate animal for almost 10 years and in that period of time, I was always in my head in my happy place to deal with the reality now, I am so grateful I can work from home...

So don't stress, believe me, you are on vacation constantly, you are just changing your location for two weeks

Have fun in Egypt

 

[Heiko]

You seem scared of you leaving your business right ? it shows you ain't ready yet for such long vacation.

Yea but what i also feel like that i would like to have some time off after 3 years of constant grinding

1) In my opinion, this entirely depends on your own mentality and what sort of industry/work you do. If you need to handle "customer service" type of inquiries then I guess it may be good to spend 30-60 minutes per day dealing with them. If your business is basically "auto-pilot" and doesn't need you to do any work on a day to day basis, then I guess no point to bring your work on your vacation. Do you feel like you "over-work" during the week and feel that you really need the vacation? If so, it can be a good time to completely disconnect. Have some time away from screens/computers and just relax.
On the other hand, you might feel like it's nice to work over there, in a different environment, and might get bored if you're just sat at a beach or relaxing by the pool. Some people are addicted to working and want to work all the time, some prefer to manage their time and spend x days per year working and x days per year relaxing.


2) I don't see why you would think this. If you had the choice of having a vacation for the rest of your life, I can guarantee you that after a short while you would be bored to death and would do anything to work

I feel like i underworked in the past couple of months because i seem to procrastinate a lot easier than i used to, i feel a little burned out as well because of the lack of "freetime" if you get what i mean. I do have no customers and it runs semi-autopilot at the moment.

2) yep. It disturb my focus. Took me 2 weeks to stay back on the line

Good to know, better grind through those times then haha

If you are working from home you are constantly in vacation mode even if you are working 24/7...trust me on that, I was a corporate animal for almost 10 years and in that period of time, I was always in my head in my happy place to deal with the reality now, I am so grateful I can work from home...

So don't stress, believe me, you are on vacation constantly, you are just changing your location for two weeks

Have fun in Egypt

Thats true, can't really say anything to the last part as i haven't been on vacation since being self employed.

Thanks tho!

 

[Rachmaninoff]

1. Yes I can. In fact very very relax. I did my best to spend my time with the one I loved when I'm on a vacation and that makes me relax. You can check up on anything on your phone (if you must), but not laptop.

2. I think laziness and procrastination are just excuses. I don't feel that way as soon as I get back from vacation. Instead, I'm excited to get back to work.

I hope you have a good time in Egypt.

 

[Alacrity Digital]

A couple of years ago I went to Spain for two weeks and I received notifications on day 2 from my PC that all my social media accounts got banned, which meant no automatic posting, which meant no money was to be generated while I was away.

It would have ruined the vacation for me if it wasn't for all the cheap beer! I haven't been on vacation since...

 

[Heiko]

1. Yes I can. In fact very very relax. I did my best to spend my time with the one I loved when I'm on a vacation and that makes me relax. You can check up on anything on your phone (if you must), but not laptop.

2. I think laziness and procrastination are just excuses. I don't feel that way as soon as I get back from vacation. Instead, I'm excited to get back to work.

I hope you have a good time in Egypt.

1. Thats what i wanna do, spend the time with my loved ones and for once forget about the daily hustle...

2. You are not wrong, of course they are excuses. I hope i have the same feeling that you do when i get back from Egypt

Thanks man!

A couple of years ago I went to Spain for two weeks and I received notifications on day 2 from my PC that all my social media accounts got banned, which meant no automatic posting, which meant no money was to be generated while I was away.

It would have ruined the vacation for me if it wasn't for all the cheap beer! I haven't been on vacation since...

That doesn't sound pleasing, hope you could still enjoy your trip, lol

 

[Kikerinka]

What I do when I travel abroad to do a kind of vacation, and I always travel for a minimum of three weeks (sometimes for as long as three months), is completely switching off from all screens (mobile, laptop, TV, anything).

I believe that's important for your health, and also mental well-being, especially if you spend a lot of time in front of computer/phone.
Then, when coming back, creativity and "quality" of whatever I do online is on a very high level.
You go to Egypt - enjoy the sea, do some scuba diving, enjoy some time with Russian females (or any other tourists), and simply stay in the present . Do not think what will happen when you're back... you'll take care of that when you're back.

 

[SOCOM]

Vacations are sometimes good, but for me, I don't seem to do well on anything over 5 days. And that's on an all-inclusive resort.

The goal is to be able to travel the world and do business in those countries.

 

[nakamura]

Vacations are good (right now I am on vacation too), but not for too long. 2 weeks...wow, thats a pretty long time actually. I can't even relax at swimming pool or beach for 2 hours until I feel bored.

1) I can relax, but there always this feeling and thought in me: "how can I improve", "what can I do" its like an ongoing process. Sometimes I was in a bar, drinking a beer and then I went back in the middle of the night to work. Its a mentality thing. Never stop, never be satisfied, stay hungry. Its like an obsession for me.

2) Get back to work slowly and increase your work time day per day. If you start from 0 to 10 hours after your vacation you will feel super stressed. Start with 3 hours per day, take your time, next day make it 4 hours, then make it 6 hours. Slowly. Don't do too much, don't do too less. Find a balance.

 

[MisterF]

@Heiko it's difficult to switch off unless you have a manager to supervise staff. if you are a 1 man band, it's even more difficult.

Take a laptop or tablet or phone to check emails, just in case there is something super urgent needs sorting. But enjoy your holiday, as above get scuba diving or snorkeling, enjoy the sun and unwind a bit.

Outta interest, where abouts in Egypt are you going to?

 

[Voidvoda]

I am self employed since 2015. Since marketing services are the thing I offer and most of my clients need me all the time I thought that I'd never go on vacation. Plus I'm the type of person that worries for the thing that won't even happen so It was hard for me to convice MYSELF to go on any kind of vacation. BUT I left my sister to handle it and went anyways. Never felt better, cleaned my head, was drunk 3 out of 7 days, enjoyed every single day on the beaches of Montenegro and got back home fresh a.f. Now I do it on a regular, Spain - coast of Montenegro - Turkey, also a lot of hiking in my beautiful country (Bosnia) and It feels great. I don't F with people who say you are young, work hard and go on vacation in your 30's or 40's. Enjoy your life my nibbas.

 

[Heiko]

What I do when I travel abroad to do a kind of vacation, and I always travel for a minimum of three weeks (sometimes for as long as three months), is completely switching off from all screens (mobile, laptop, TV, anything).

I believe that's important for your health, and also mental well-being, especially if you spend a lot of time in front of computer/phone.
Then, when coming back, creativity and "quality" of whatever I do online is on a very high level.
You go to Egypt - enjoy the sea, do some scuba diving, enjoy some time with Russian females (or any other tourists), and simply stay in the present . Do not think what will happen when you're back... you'll take care of that when you're back.

Sounds wonderful. I hope to have that high energy when I get back! I have ton of things planned which need my full attention when I come back from this vacation!

Having fun with the females, definitely!

Vacations are good (right now I am on vacation too), but not for too long. 2 weeks...wow, thats a pretty long time actually. I can't even relax at swimming pool or beach for 2 hours until I feel bored.

1) I can relax, but there always this feeling and thought in me: "how can I improve", "what can I do" its like an ongoing process. Sometimes I was in a bar, drinking a beer and then I went back in the middle of the night to work. Its a mentality thing. Never stop, never be satisfied, stay hungry. Its like an obsession for me.

2) Get back to work slowly and increase your work time day per day. If you start from 0 to 10 hours after your vacation you will feel super stressed. Start with 3 hours per day, take your time, next day make it 4 hours, then make it 6 hours. Slowly. Don't do too much, don't do too less. Find a balance.

Haha you talking right out of my soul. Even when I am at dinner with family or friends I constantly have these feelings in my mind. I guess we both have the same mindset.

Slowly increasing the workhours seems like a good plan. Will write this down asap!

Enjoy ur trip!

@Heiko it's difficult to switch off unless you have a manager to supervise staff. if you are a 1 man band, it's even more difficult.

Take a laptop or tablet or phone to check emails, just in case there is something super urgent needs sorting. But enjoy your holiday, as above get scuba diving or snorkeling, enjoy the sun and unwind a bit.

Outta interest, where abouts in Egypt are you going to?

Laptop is already packed my man! Yeah I had this idea of working about 1 or 2 hours in the morning and then chill out for the rest of the day.

I am going to Marsa Alam, it is a 2 week trip with 5 days on a boat and 9 days on hotel!

Snorkeling and scuba diving is definently on the to do list!

I am self employed since 2015. Since marketing services are the thing I offer and most of my clients need me all the time I thought that I'd never go on vacation. Plus I'm the type of person that worries for the thing that won't even happen so It was hard for me to convice MYSELF to go on any kind of vacation. BUT I left my sister to handle it and went anyways. Never felt better, cleaned my head, was drunk 3 out of 7 days, enjoyed every single day on the beaches of Montenegro and got back home fresh a.f. Now I do it on a regular, Spain - coast of Montenegro - Turkey, also a lot of hiking in my beautiful country (Bosnia) and It feels great. I don't F with people who say you are young, work hard and go on vacation in your 30's or 40's. Enjoy your life my nibbas.

That's great. I think when you work your ass off you should deserve something every once in a while. Now after these 3 years I seem to be hitting a stigma and feel kind of burned out. I think i will benefit from this different environment as well. Nice to hear that you are doing well!

Vacations are sometimes good, but for me, I don't seem to do well on anything over 5 days. And that's on an all-inclusive resort.

The goal is to be able to travel the world and do business in those countries.

Yup. That's why I am bringing my laptop with me. Hopefully they have some good internet lol!

 

[payal23j]

I face the same issue in starting so after that i told my clients that i am on vacation, will be back and contact you. As a particular dates too so i tell them the dates too. Being a single person or work with a team even on vacation being hard.
Sometimes i feel it's better to do the task myself instead of telling them.

 

[agetmant]

I believe in balance. Your time is precious. Bad time management means wasted time. It's completely possible to go on a vacation, relax and enjoy yourself whilst also doing some work where it's needed. It also depends on your business or whatever the hell you're into.

What I've found is true for me is that too long periods of not working WILL turn me into a giant lazy ass.

 

[YujinTan]

i feel even you work while holiday also no harm . Simply because is your Own stuffs, you work for yourself. some more is via online as long there is Internet . Perhaps
is more like simple stuffs , just reply and check around. Will follow up when you come back etc.

Unlike those have a physical shop , selling things etc , that is different , they can't wait to relax come vacation. My country here many shops owners never rest
even come public holiday , and year end , The only days they off is come Chinese New year , at most just close shop for one day . Some open business 2nd day of CNY which is still PH. Whereas some open during CNY but off after CNY .

so you see the difference here. Online business vs offline Business.

whereas for most working for a Job of course can't wait for Public holidays or take leave just to relax . will not think of work actually too tired to think and hope boss don't
whatapp you etc while on leave.

 

[Nandhugp]

I am not a big fan of travelling so I guess if I had to choose from work and travel, I might work