“You’re lucky to be a freelancer. I’d love to set my hours.”
“Your job must be so easy. Every day is like being on vacation.”
These misinformed statements underestimate the diligence, self-discipline and time management skills required to succeed in a freelance career — while ignoring the financial uncertainties and challenges of being in business for yourself.
The truth is that freelancing is often challenging, with schedules based on your clients’ needs and frequent worries about earning enough money to cover your current and future financial goals.
A primary result of these demands is that many freelancers end up overworking instead of taking much-needed time off.
However, maybe the people who envy your perceived freedom are on the right track.
If you find the correct mindset, you’ll realize that you can go on vacation and take the valuable time you need for yourself and your family. Consider the following points before you protest too vigorously.
You Are the Boss
Whether working as a full-time freelancer for an agency or servicing individual clients professionally, you still define your fate.
If it’s the former, you’ll likely have vacation time due, and if not, why not take matters into your own hands?
Around 9% of Americans neglect to take vacations because they are afraid to take the time off.
As a freelancer, you may be worried that your clients will resist your vacation, but you need to let go of that guilt.
It’s up to you to negotiate the terms of freelance contracts, and if you spend most of your time working for a single client like an agency, you should receive compensation for time off.
Alternatively, once you establish a reputation as a reliable contractor, your clients will understand if you give them notice of your upcoming absence and ask to coordinate urgent work requirements beforehand.
Adjust Those Deadlines
Sticking to deadlines is a hallmark of being a polished freelancer.
However, letting your work rule your life will ultimately chip away at your productivity and motivation, which could cause you to rush through projects instead of completing them to your usual high standards.
As a result, you may lose existing clients and tarnish your pristine reputation.
Creating a sustainable schedule means avoiding professional burnout — a state where you feel constantly drained while working and find it hard to cope with your daily demands.
You’re irritable, sad and angry, struggling with insomnia and other chronic health issues. And the worst part is you feel numb, detached and incapable of doing anything about it.
You can do without the stress, lost job performance and potential depression professional burnout brings. Adjust your deadlines and make time for a vacation.
Your clients will understand your need to prioritize your work-life balance.
Create Client Reference Points
Do you have clients who constantly contact you?
Though frequent communication can be valuable, these high-maintenance people can also be more challenging to work with.
Proactively manage their expectations while you’re away on vacation.
Set up online resources like guides and articles — maybe even some project-specific FAQs they’ll find helpful while you’re away — and meet with them well beforehand to assuage their concerns.
Show your clients how to access and use these resources.
Spending this time will ease their mind by demonstrating how much you care about their business.
When you feel satisfied they’ll cope, you will be happier disconnecting from technology while on vacation.
Work Within Your Budget
Choosing freelance work might mean you’re less affluent than some of your peers, but you can still consider that a fair trade because you make a living doing work you enjoy.
If you plan strategically, you may stash away some savings to see some sights and have a little fun while you relax.
Even if it’s only a weekend trip to a neighboring state, you can still enjoy your hard-earned break.
Let your hair down, knowing the work will still be there when you return.
Rest and recuperation should be priorities, and sticking to your budget will allow you to destress without worrying about overspending.
Research your destination and know your travel and accommodation expenses well in advance.
Then, set money aside to pamper yourself and live a little.
Give Yourself Time Before Leaving
In 1955, Cyril Northcote Parkinson wrote, “Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion,” which became known as Parkinson’s Law, a fundamental principle of time management.
So, assign yourself less time to complete your final freelancing tasks, and you’ll invariably finish them by the time you have to.
Let the stresses of freelancing dissipate well before you take that final step into vacation mode, so you can leave in the best frame of mind.
Allow time to pack, arrange house or pet sitters and do last-minute shopping without the stresses of your workload interfering.
Switch off gradually, so you’re free of all encumbrances when you leave for your dream getaway.
Vacation Somewhere Relaxing
Ask anybody why they like vacations, and they’ll tell you it’s a chance to relax.
That means taking your mind off your daily stresses, especially work, and going somewhere you’ll find peace and harmony away from your usual daily grind.
Whether you’re single or with family, think about whether hiking an open mountainside or relaxing on a picturesque beach will calm you more, then book that getaway.
While leaving your laptop at home might be unrealistic if you plan to take more than a week off, try your best to keep your workload to an absolute minimum.
Remember, relaxation is an investment in your future, so use the skills you’ve honed as a thriving freelancer to put yourself first.
You Deserve to Vacation and Relax
Hard workers must embrace the mindset that taking breaks is crucial for maintaining their productivity and well-being.
By recognizing that radical rest is essential for optimal performance, you can give yourself permission to decompress, rejuvenate and return to your responsibilities with new motivation.
Remember, self-care is not selfish — it’s critical to continue giving your best effort in everything you do.
Freelancers deserve to take time off just as much as full-time employees do.
The difference is that you are your boss, so treat yourself respectfully and courteously.
Enjoy your well-deserved time off!
When you return 100% recharged and ready to take your freelancing career to new heights, your only regret will be that you didn’t do so sooner.
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