Time off

Easter hit me by surprise this year. A weekend extended by two bank holidays. Something I’d have been anticipating for weeks when I was at bp. But this year, I woke up on Good Friday thinking what do I do? Am I entitled to a holiday?

Of course I needed it just as much as ever. Maybe more, given the circumstances.

Change is exhausting. We can’t rely on our efficient intuitive thinking as much and we can’t coast. We’re on high alert more often, poised for something bad to happen – or maybe something good.

Leaving something constant and comfortable behind means we invariably spend more time thinking about what we’re doing - or not doing. I don’t want to imply I was on autopilot for 16 years at bp, but I often felt cosseted by job and salary security. I rarely allowed myself to think deeply about purpose, what am I for, let alone more mundane matters like will I be able to pay the mortgage next year.

Working for myself means these questions bother me more often. And that takes its toll. Even offset by some of the energising upsides of working for yourself, like freedom from politics and paper-pushing.

But are we entitled?

A bit like the C-list celebrities who milk their 48 hours of fame, you never know when the work could dry up – so you have to keep going.

Isn’t taking holiday for when you’ve built something, when you’ve become successful? Do we deserve it yet?  And can we afford to take it, if we aren’t making money?

Many people I know who run their own businesses (and to be honest, plenty in corporate jobs too) struggle to switch off.

A survey of American freelancers from 2019 suggests 92% work on their vacation, 43% saying they hide their vacation from their clients.  And the ones that aren’t working for clients are probably reading work-related articles or the latest Adam Grant book? Still more will be thinking about work.

I’m taking some time-off

Whilst I draw the line at zoom calls, I will check my emails, write my blog and I do have some articles to read.  I’ve also got a new idea for #corporateescapologist and thought I’d try building it when I’m “on holiday”. But is this a good idea?

Or should I down tools completely, spend time with Megs and the kids, go for long walks? In short, should I act more like I did when I took holiday on bp’s coin?

Of course the answer is yes. I have never understood the way some people skipped holiday, seeing working eighty hour weeks and all weekend as a badge of honour.

Fortunately there’s a reaction against those views, as well as plenty of data.

And just because holiday isn’t paid doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take it.  We need to recharge, get perspective, spend time with those we love, do different things.

But if we work for ourselves we may need to put in systems to make sure we take time off. Here are some tips:

1. Give yourself an annual holiday allowance – and if possible book time away so you commit. If cash flow is tight, build a “holiday pot” over the year so you can afford it.

2. Distinguish “almost-work” from “non-work”: reading about the latest hydrogen technology or local energy markets isn’t really taking time out.

3. If you have to work on holiday limit time to specific hours or days rather than let it intrude over every day of the whole holiday.

4. Be honest about taking holiday with clients – most will respect you (if you give them advance notice); those who don’t, well, maybe they’re not really that interested in you. And also this is why finding good partners is important

5. When I was at bp, I always took my birthday off as holiday – and I think it’s an excellent practice now I’m the boss. If you didn’t before, take off your birthday; it’s a good way to mark the change in employer.

Unlike my corporate days, I know every effort I make is more directly benefiting me, but I also know that working all hours and skipping holidays isn’t good – for me, for my marriage, for my children to witness – and many times for the people with whom I work.

So I’m following author Alexander Babinets on this one:

I’m going to commit to properly switch off when I take some time off (except the blog!). I’m even going away for a few days, which feels like escape from Alcatraz. A change of scene will do us good and there might even be a pub or two with a garden to enjoy. Cheers!