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Are You Ready for the Holiday Season?

Are You Ready for the Holiday Season?

<p>It is already time to think about your holidays! It is true that we had a harsh winter; however, it is not a reason why you should not take a break and think of you a bit. Are you hesitating to take some time off this year or this summer? Are you feeling overwhelmed with everything you have to do? There are many benefits in taking some breaks from time to time, especially if you are a self-employed person. Everyone deserves some breaks and you do too.</p> <h3><strong>You Are Likely Needing Holidays Right Now</strong></h3> <p>When was the last time you took a day off? When was the last time you took some holidays? Remember the reasons why you wanted to be your own boss. It is likely that it was to have more time for you and with your family, as well as more flexibility regarding your schedule. Did you respect your wishes or are you stuck in a vicious circle? As mentioned above, you have the right to take some time off. You also need to take some holidays from time to time.</p> <p>There is no obligation to take your holidays during summertime, however, it is important to know how to recognize the signs of fatigue. Did you lose control over your schedule? Do you even have a scheduled day off in the next few weeks? Have you noticed that you had issues falling asleep or that you were sick more often? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then it might be indicating you that your head and your body are asking for a break.</p> <h3><strong>Why Is It So Important to Take Holidays?</strong></h3> <p>There are many reasons why it is better to take some time off from time to time. Your body and mind need to rest in order to perform during long periods of time. It has been demonstrated in many studies that holidays allow people to be more productive and to have a better mood. You do not have to travel far to feel that holiday feeling. Why not visit a place in your region that you have not been yet? These little breaks, whether it is an escapade to the islands, a weekend in a national park, a dinner at your favorite restaurant or even a massage, allow you to decrease your stress level. Therefore, you can avoid health problems but mostly a job burnout.</p> <h3><strong>Potential Solutions for Self-Employed People</strong></h3> <p>It might be possible that the fact of leaving your office and your work can be a significant source of stress. It is likely that you fear not to be able to make it if you leave. It is also likely that you fear the reaction of your clients if you tell them that you are taking some time off. Nevertheless, you are a human being. You need to take some breaks when you feel like it. Here are some potential solutions to help you take some time off if you are a self-employed person:</p> <p><strong>Take a day off from time to time</strong></p> <p>You do not have to take a whole month off in order to recharge your batteries. It is suggested to take time for yourself on a daily basis. In fact, a day off can help you catch your breath and find your balance back. The weather outside is amazing and your projects are easier than planned? Why not take an afternoon off to read at a near park? It is forbidden to open your emails if you are taking this moment off!</p> <p><strong>Plan your off-peak periods</strong></p> <p>Uncertainty is mostly part of the life of freelancers and self-employed people. You can then plan when will be the possible off-peak periods by looking at data from earlier years. Why not benefit from these quiet moments to take your holidays during that precise time? You could then come back motivated and ready when work starts again. Businesses are often idling in January following the Christmas holidays. Why not use that time to rest a bit? &nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Have good communication with your customers</strong></p> <p>There is no doubt that you like most of your customers since they help you pay your bills. It is then normal to hesitate to take some time off. In most cases, your customers will understand that you need some rest. Of course, it is better to tell them in advance and see if they have any special requests. You probably helped them to get them out of mess more than once so with good communication it is very likely that your time off will not have any bad consequences on their business.</p> <p><strong>Do not be afraid to delegate during your absence</strong></p> <p>Finally, in the case where you are completely essential to your customers, there is always the option to ask another professional for some help. Of course, you should delegate your work to someone you trust since you stay the person in charge after all. You can find them at <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/networking-101" target="_blank">networking events</a> for instance! Keep in mind that they can give you a hand. They will also think of you when it is going to be their turn to take some time off.</p> <p><br /> To conclude, there is no doubt that this deserved break will do you a lot of good. Do not forget the reasons why you decided to become a freelancer or a self-employed worker. Always keep them in your mind. We are sure that you want to do everything for your customers, however, you are not a Superman or a Wonder Woman with infinite strength! Even superheroes need some time on their own to be efficient. And if you have<a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/help-i-have-tons-of-late-work" target="_blank"> some late work</a>, start by taking a deep breath!</p>

Ariane