How to Take a Break from Your Business this Summer

7 ways to prepare your business so you can really get away (and leave the laptop behind)

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If you feel that end-of-year burnout creeping up and you’re desperate to take a real break from your business this summer, you need to start preparing now.

While you might think it’s impossible to truly switch off from all the business things, if you follow my 7 ways to prepare and automate your business, you’ll be ready to get away when that summer sun comes calling.

Preparing now will help keep your business wheels turning while you’re away. So you can switch off, relax and be ready to get back to business in the new year.

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1. Keep your marketing engine running

Whether your marketing focus comes from a blog, podcast, newsletter, YouTube channel or something else, you’ll need to get new content batched up and ready to release. And you can use scheduling tools to send out your content automatically while you’re away.

Imagine the relief of shutting down your computer for a summer break knowing your content will keep going out over December, January and February (while you’re relaxing, refreshing and rejuvenating away from the desk).

Top tip: Even if you’re planning to be back in January or February, get content sorted for those months now so it’s one less thing you’ll need to worry about on your return. (Your post-holiday self will thank you.)

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2. Let everyone know about your business break

Communication is critical when you want to take a break from your business. Let your clients know as early as possible, so they can lock in any work they need from you before your break. (Prompting that pre-holiday work is a great way to fill any revenue gaps in the lead-up to your shutdown.)

If you have employees, you’ll need to discuss their leave requirements and decide whether everyone will take a break or if some team members will keep working in your absence.

If you have virtual team members or regular contractors like a bookkeeper, virtual assistant, or online business manager, you need to speak with them now. Are they taking a break as well, or do you need to brief work for them before you go?

Top tip: Put a note on your email footer now to let people know when you’ll be shutting down and when you’ll return.

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3. Manage expectations

As part of communicating your break to your clients and contractors, you need to manage their expectations about what you can and can’t do before (and during) your break.

Give your clients a firm deadline for when they need to have work briefed to you – and let them know you can’t complete the work if they miss your deadline.

With your team, make sure they know what work you need them to finish before things finish up for the year (especially if everyone’s taking a break at the same time). Be clear on your expectations and encourage realistic discussions about what they can and can’t achieve.

If you want complete radio silence from clients and colleagues during your break, make sure everyone knows you won’t be answering calls, emails or messages.

And don’t let your client’s lack of preparation become your problem. If you give them plenty of warning about your break-related deadlines, you shouldn’t have to take on work that will interfere with your downtime.

Top tip: If you have clients who’ll likely need support in your absence, organise someone who can respond to their urgent needs while you’re away. This could be a team member or a trusted competitor who offers similar services. Giving your client the name of someone you trust to take care of them while you’re away will provide them with peace of mind and show them they remain your top priority – even during your break.

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4. Set up automations for new enquiries

An automation tool like Zapier can help you capture new enquiries and clear the email clutter more easily when you return.

For example, you could create a ‘zap’ to pick up new enquiries from your contact form or appointment booking software. Automation can use these enquiries to create a new project in your project management software (like Asana). When you return, you’ll quickly see the new enquiries that have come through, and they won’t get lost in the sea of emails in your inbox.

(And don’t forget to block out your break in your calendar, so people can’t book appointments with you at a time when you’ll be relaxing on the beach working on your summer reading list.)

Top tip: Test your automations thoroughly to ensure each ‘zap’ works how you want it to.

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5. Book a planning day

Holding regular planning days (or half days) is an excellent way to keep on top of where your business is at and where you want it to go.

Making time for a planning day before you take a break from your business will make sure you’re ready to go away and make sure you’re crystal clear on what you want to focus on when you return.

Top tip: Make your planning days like a mini-conference. Set a schedule to follow and organise snacks and a nice lunch. If you have remote team members involved, consider sending them an UberEats voucher so they can order special snacks and be part of the mini-conference.

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6. Build a new year pipeline to keep the cash flow flowing

As you get closer to taking that break from your business, it’s good to have work booked for your first few weeks or months back at the desk. If you don’t already have a full pipeline of retainer clients or ongoing work, think about ways you can encourage existing and new clients to pre-book a service.

Maybe you can offer a ‘book-in-early’ discount or run a promotion to encourage new bookings. Or perhaps you can develop personalised offers for existing or former clients – it’s always easier to sell to people who already know how good you are!

If you have regular clients who come to you on an ad-hoc basis, consider moving them onto a retainer. It gives them the peace of mind of knowing they have a secure place in your schedule and gives you a solid revenue pipeline.

Top tip: If cashflow issues make it too hard for you to take a real business break each year, start putting aside a percentage of each invoice to build a 3-month revenue buffer. It’ll help you get through any market downturns and allow you to take time off when needed.

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7. Turn on your out-of-office baby, and you’re out of here!

Once you’ve finished that final bit of work, made sure your team and clients know where things are at, set up automations to keep things moving, and planned for future revenue, you’re ready to head out on holidays!

The only thing left is to set your out-of-office email message and shut down the laptop. (And with the proper preparation, you should be able to leave that laptop behind… if that’s what you want.)

Top tip: Make sure your out-of-office message includes your return date. And make it clear if you won’t be checking or responding to emails and messages while you’re away.

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Not taking a work break this year? Let’s make the most of the quiet

Maybe you’ve decided not to take a break from your business this year. Perhaps you’ve got plenty of work to keep you going. Or maybe you prefer to take a break when the tourist towns are a little quieter.

If you’re staying at the desk over the summer, take advantage of the traditionally quieter business period to spend time working ON your business.

You should still book a business planning day so you can focus on those business goals you keep putting off ‘until things calm down.’

(And if you want professional guidance to help you set and achieve your goals, get in touch to book one of my Quarterly Business Planning Sessions . With my help, you’ll be on track to make things happen for your business.)