When you’re on a beach sipping Mai Tais or taking a hike through the mountains, the last thing you want to be thinking about is your work agenda. Your business might be your baby, but while on vacation, it’s not exactly your top priority. I get it!

I’m a firm believer in leaving your laptop at home and sticking to your “out of office” message, but as an entrepreneur, I know that this is much easier said than done. When you run your business full-time, the thought of leaving it behind for more than a long weekend might be enough to send shivers down your spine – especially if you’re a solopreneurs whose business depends solely on your efforts.

Though it’s not always easy, there is a way to ensure you stay on top of your work while enjoying your time off. Setting boundaries is essential if you’re hoping to avoid becoming the kind of person who can’t remember when they last took time off. We don’t want that!

Hopping on a plane might sound nice, but even if you’re hoping for a staycation, establishing these boundaries will help you soak in your time outside of the office while keeping your business running smoothly.

Establish firm working hours.

When you’re traveling, consistency is key. Setting consistent working hours helps you complete your tasks and enjoy your time sans laptop. Otherwise, you’ll try and squeeze in a few emails here, a call here, and before you know it, you’ve spent multiple gaps of your day working – not ideal for a vacation!

If you’re a morning person, consider getting up an hour or two earlier to finish everything before your day begins. Or, if you’re an evening person, once your night winds down, take a look at your to-do list and see what you can wrap up before bedtime. Know that there’s no specific timeline here, as your work will differ depending on the trip and the state of your workload. Find what works best for your schedule!

Regardless of what you decide, just make sure your travel partners know when you’ll be working. This way, they won’t interrupt, allowing you to get things done in peace.

Set expectations with clients.

One of the best ways to avoid working while on vacation is simply telling people that you’ll be doing just that – not working. Make sure all of your clients understand this! Let everyone know when you’ll be gone and when you can be reached (even if it’s not at all!).

Communicate when clients can expect to see deliverables if any projects are impacted while you’re out of the office. For significant trips (i.e., more than one week), start this conversation at least one month before you leave, giving you time to set expectations and be proactive in your planning.

If possible, try not to take any meetings while you’re away. Let your “work hours” consist of emails, project management, or backend tasks. Meetings will pull you back into the swing of things at a time when you deserve to disconnect! If you must take them, keep all appointments within your established working hours so your vacation doesn’t take a massive hit.

Create a transition routine.

A working mindset and a vacation mindset are two very different things! That’s why it’s vital to create a routine that allows you to transition from one to the other and clear your headspace. For example, if you choose to knock out some work in the morning, you might shower and get dressed for the day. Or, you might hit the hotel gym for a workout. Whatever type of routine gets you in the right mindset to work, consider implementing it on vacation as well.

Let work tasks fly solo instead of trying to incorporate them into your itinerary. Activities such as relaxing and exploring should be your main focus when you’re on vacation. Don’t try and check your email when you’re enjoying a nice meal at a restaurant! Instead, find a routine that establishes a clear difference between work and play.

As your business grows, you can adopt automation solutions and hire team members for support. By doing so, you’ll actually be able to check out for each trip you take. Thank goodness!

Until then, when it comes to working while on vacation, give yourself grace. If working for just 30 minutes a day will keep you sane and allow you to enjoy the rest of the day, go for it. But if what you truly need is to unplug and take time for yourself outside of your entrepreneurial journey, listen to what your mind and body need.

You deserve to take time off, and work should never come between you and the rest you need! If you’re struggling with all things boundaries and need help establishing them, you’re not alone. Reach out to Jen, and she’ll help you start protecting yourself and your business!