Taking time off work as a freelancer is essential to recharge your batteries and avoid burnout. There’s a saying that ‘sometimes the secret to getting more done is to take time off’. It may sound counterintuitive, but taking time out can really boost your creativity and productivity.
Whether you plan regular breaks throughout the year or prefer a big summer vacation, following your time off, you have to return to work. And for some, going back to work after a break can bring on a serious bout of vacation blues.
So whether you’ve been soaking up the sun on an exotic beach or been on an action-packed trip around Central Europe, here are some ways to ease you back into freelancing without the overwhelm.
Plan ahead
Planning ahead for your vacation and getting all your work in order is one thing, but another important aspect of vacation planning is your return.
Ideally, you’ll want to ease back into your schedule instead of returning to a long list of must-dos or urgent work that needs to be done. If possible, get ahead of your workload before you go away. Now is a good time to review your tasks, identify any that can be automated, and then set them up before your holiday. Preferably, you should implement systems that work autonomously.
For example, if you have client invoices and statements that need to be sent either when you are away or on your return, schedule them to be sent automatically. With Invoice Ninja, a leading free invoicing software specifically designed for small businesses, you can schedule the sending of invoices, statements, and chasers via email. Try it for free here.
Some people feel they need another vacation to rest and recuperate from their original vacation, so another way to ease yourself back in is to add a buffer or gap day at the end of your vacation. This is a free day for you to acclimatize, rest, or simply use it as a goal-setting or planning day.
Revisit your ‘why’
If you feel like you’re returning to work and back to the same old routine, and nothing is inspiring you, now might be the perfect time to revisit your ‘why’. Why did you start your business in the first place? What’s your overriding goal or passion? What’s your super skill and special value you bring to your clients?
All these questions can be used to motivate you, as well as provide an objective overview of how far you’ve come and whether you’re on track with your freelancer goals or if you need to set some new ones.
It might even be that you see a new opportunity or need to pivot. Taking time out can be an excellent opportunity for your creativity to take over, so you can return to work not only refreshed but with a new outlook. When we let ourselves relax, our minds can better problem-solve, and we come up with new ideas.
If you need to revisit your ‘why,’ you could even consider writing a manifesto or visually placing your ‘why’ near your workspace so you can remind yourself of it when you need a motivation boost.
Do something you enjoy
A good way to get your freelancer mojo back is to start back with an activity that you enjoy.
This could be an activity involving your super skill that adds to your profit margin – always something to get you back into the groove. Perhaps you have an exciting new project lined up to start upon your return, or you’ve planned to attend a networking event where you can catch up with other freelancers to inspire you. You could even consider hosting your own event or simply check in with business colleagues online.
Another great way to get back in the freelancing mood is to check in with your regular clients and follow up with previous ones – they may even have new projects available where you’d be the perfect fit.
You could also consider changing your workspace around, giving it a nice spruce up, and even adding some of your latest vacation snaps for added inspiration. If you have the budget, you could even consider getting it redecorated while you are away.
Simple actions like the above can help shift your perspective and put you in a positive and productive frame of mind.
Finally, don’t forget to plan your next vacation!
