Working for oneself has many, many well documented rewards.

Working to your own schedule, choosing your own clients, working your own hours, and best of all, working from home.

Personally I think that being able to put in an hour or two while still in my jammies rates *very* highly on this list! Even taking a short local weekend break need not mean I’m out of the loop.  With my awesome Macbook, and 3G mobile internet plan, I can easily put in necessary hours, or respond to any potential problems quickly and easily.

Sometimes though, and this is probably the hardest thing about working for yourself, is taking a real vacation. One where you are not reachable by phone, and you neither can, nor want to be contacted by email. This is especially hard if you work alone.

Here are some possible solutions, that I apply to my business:

  • Complete any outstanding projects, and delivery of photographic orders before leaving.
  • Do not commit to any new assignments for the period during which I wish to take leave.
  • Either rebook required appointments to a more suitable date, or refer the client to a trusted photographer friend who will be available – knowing that she would do the same for me in return.
  • Let blog sponsors know that I have certain blackout dates during which I will be unable to complete assignments.
  • Pre-write some blog entries using wordpress delayed publishing service, so that some material is published in my absence.  It’s usually a good idea to include posts containing links using your affiliate code for sites like Bux.To so that even in your absence you have the chance of gaining some referral who will make money for you in your absence. (Nothing like making some passive income while you’re getting a great massage!)

With all these ground rules in place, I’m free to start daydreaming about my next break, and start searching through great listings like St. Barts villa rentals and start to make some plans!

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