- You might lose business to your competitors while you're away.
- You're just too busy to be away more than a few days at a time.
- There's no one to fill in for you in your absence.
- You're not getting paid when you're not working so a long vacation would cause a financial setback.
Whether you take your getaway during the week or plan a getaway weekend depends on your business schedule and your preferences. Most of my clients expect me to be available during normal business hours, so I usually like to take weekend getaways.
Over the years I've found that handling my time off with weekend getaways allows me to reconnect with my wife. I also get refreshed and return to work with some new ideas and a fresh outlook after these getaways.
I've discovered some ways to make the most of these weekend getaways. Here are eight tips to help you have a great getaway:
Tip 1. Plan Ahead
If you plan your weekday or weekend getaways ahead of time you'll get better deals on travel and lodging. You'll also be able to schedule your time in advance so you can get caught up before you leave. I know that I'm far less likely to back out of a family getaway if I already have tickets, reservations, etc. Especially if I get penalized for canceling or rescheduling.I really find it doesn't pay to be spontaneous when taking weekend getaways. As a home business owner, I can take an occasional day trip without planning, but anything more than a day or two and I'm going to want to be prepared. Otherwise, I'll constantly be worrying about what I need to do back home and if my clients are trying to reach me. By planning ahead I can prepare my clients for my brief absence, if necessary. Once you get to your getaway destination, you can be as spontaneous as you like.
Tip 2. Quit a Little Early the Day Before
If you follow Tip 1 and plan your weekday or weekend getaways ahead, you should also be able to allow yourself to quit early the day before your getaway, even if it's only an hour or two. After all, this is one of the benefits of being your own boss.Quitting early the day before your getaway will allow you to help your spouse or significant other pack and otherwise prepare for your trip. This gives you the opportunity to enjoy the excitement of the preparation and relieves your partner or family from having to do everything without you, which only fosters resentment. It may also allow you to accomplish a task or two that you might put off until the day of your departure, which in turn will only result in more stress.
Tip 3. Allow For Some Pampering
You've earned your time off. You're not taking the time or incurring the expense of an extended vacation - is there some way you can treat yourself, your partner, or your family during your weekend getaway?After booking a hotel room for a recent weekend getaway I discovered the room didn't have a refrigerator. On our last few trips we always had a refrigerator and a microwave in the room. A call to the hotel the day before we arrived allowed us to add the refrigerator for only $5 per night. When we arrived, the hotel told us that they upgraded us to a mini suite with a refrigerator for no extra charge. Sweet! And, as a business owner, I can tell you that I appreciated the gesture and will return to this hotel when I'm in the area again on a future getaway.
Tip 4. Allow Plenty of Time to Get to Your Destination
If your travel will take most of one day, or if you have an event scheduled on the evening of your arrival, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination without rushing. Unexpected delays can hit you from out of nowhere.By giving yourself a little extra time, you'll find that your weekend getaways are more enjoyable. If you're driving, you'll be less likely to have an accident on the way. If it means getting up a bit earlier on the day you leave, do it. Your mood will be much better for it. Your departure experiences can set the tone for your entire trip - don't ruin it before the getaway even gets started.
Part 2 continues with tips 5 through 8.
