Business and holidays | finding the balance

The holiday season is upon us!

(How does it always manage to creep up on us like this?)

Our friends in the US have already celebrated Thanksgiving. And now we’ve got Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year to look forward to.

Though some of us may be celebrating virtually this year, the holiday season is always a time for family, friends, a little gift giving and lots of lovely food and drink.

But it’s not all eggnog and wreath making for us business owners, is it?

Running a business — already a pretty demanding gig — can be an even tougher task over the holidays. For the marketeers, designers, and other B2B entrepreneurs among us, there’s always one or two clients who want to spend what’s left of their annual budget ASAP. And it’s no less busy for B2C brands either — the holidays are peak sale season, and there’s just so much to do.

In short, you want to do right by your company. But you need a well-earned break, too! And herein lies the festive challenge of balancing your business with the holidays.

What’s so difficult about taking time off?

It’s a good question — and one you’ll probably hear from anyone who doesn’t also own and run their own business. But the struggle of “turning off” is real. Especially when your business is your passion, and you aren’t entirely sure where you end and your company begins!

So how do you manage to neatly shutdown your business for the holiday season? How do you silence the FOMO (Fear of Mounting Overheads)? And what should you be doing now to prepare for Q1 2021?

To answer these questions and more, we’ve put together an entrepreneur’s essential ready-for-the-holidays checklist. Tick off the following, and you’ll go into the holidays feeling on top of your business — and totally deserving of your rest.

Ready-for-the-holidays checklist: business edition

Put “pick-up the tree” and “stuff the turkey” on your other list. This one is purely for business!

1. Do a financial forecast

Nagging worries about your business’s bank account will stop you from relaxing over the festive period. So now’s the time to take stock and work out where your business currently stands financially.

Can you afford to take two weeks off over the holidays without booking any more work or making any more sales?

Or do you need to double down now, to get some new orders in?

It may be that a little extra work time will make your relaxation time feel all the more rewarding. And it will save you worrying about cash flow as you welcome in the New Year.

2. Prepare for a busy December

December is often the busiest month of the year.

People are buying gifts. Businesses have funds to use up before year-end. And everyone is keen to get everything done and dusted so they can take time off over the holidays.

This means you probably won’t have much time to catch your breath!

You may need to buy in extra materials. You might need some temporary freelance support. You’ll probably have to work longer days for the next few weeks.

Just remember that being busy at this time of year is a very good thing. It can see you through any quieter months further down the line, and it might introduce you to some new customers, too.

Put yourself in the mindset for “one last big push”. December can be hard. But it will be well worth the work you put in.

3. That said... do tell clients and customers that you plan to take time off

Many solo entrepreneurs struggle with the word “no” — especially in those early days when every cent counts. But a last minute work request could really derail your holiday plans.

The solution? Give your clients and customers plenty of notice that you’re planning to take some time off. Ask them to send their requests in early or to book a prime slot for early next year, and let them know if your lead times will be a little longer than normal, too.

That way no one is left feeling disappointed or stressed when they get your out of office.

4.Deal with your last minute admin

Try not to leave any pesky admin jobs hanging over your head during the holidays.

Organize outstanding payments. Follow up on any invoices you’re owed. Order in any supplies you’ll need in January. Schedule social media content for the whole holiday season so you don’t need to log-in (unless you really want to!).

Then set your out of office and pop open the bubbly!

5. Set a plan in action for 2021 before you take time off

Christmas always turns up before we’re ready; New Year is even sneakier. You’ve barely finished off the turkey when you find yourself waking up (probably with an ever so slightly groggy head) on January 1st.

After all that festivity, January can feel a little bleak. Add in a completely empty 2021 diary, and you have a recipe for complete and utter New Year stress. You’ll go back to work in a panic, worrying yourself silly about how Q1 is going to turn out.

So start thinking about next year now. Set goals. Plan content. Book in some work.

It will feel so good welcoming in the New Year knowing you have things under control. Being prepared will help to alleviate any concerns you have, and help you to get your business off to a flying start in 2021.

Business owner to business owner, I know how you feel!

I know how hard it can be balancing the demands of a business with a busy holiday season. So why not let me take some work off your plate in the lead up to the holidays or even in the New Year?

Book a free 15 minute consultation and let’s chat about your branding, graphic design, or web design wishlist for this year and the next. Between the two of us, we can get your business in a great shape for whatever the festive season brings!