A question for the self-employed

[K444HEP]

Morning All,

Slightly strange question today. I have been self-employed for the past twelve years, however have always had the luxury of working several contracts so had a guaranteed income month to month. Around this time last year, I decided to go it entirely alone due to increased demand for my work (that isn?t supposed to make me sound like an arrogant knob by the way!) and while business is doing very well, I am working seven days a week. How do other self-employed people go about giving themselves time off? I had a few days over Christmas and New Year as would be expected, but what about weekly/monthly days? My problem is that I feel I should be making hay while the sun still shines and don?t want to be turning clients away in favour of a few hours off... yet everyone needs a bit of down time. Would be interested to hear your thoughts.

[oskihen]

Learn to say no, if people want you they will wait, and don't live to work there's more to life

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[ValeTudoGuy]

Mate, I'm struggling to get a day off and I'm employed.

Do you have anyone sub for you or employ anyone at all? Are you in an industry that needs much prep work that can take place while you aren't there?

[PeeJay]

I remember reading once that if you don't have the time to smoke a good cigar then you're working too hard.

[Rich B]

I remember reading once that if you don't have the time to smoke a good cigar then you're working too hard.

That explains why my collection has grown over the last six months...

I'm terrible at taking time off, as I run my own consultancy business my wife therefore arranges holidays at certain points and blanks the time out in my diary. Seems to work well.

[7kingsguy]

I guess it depends on the industry you are working in. Ive done a bit of self employed and i just didnt take any bookings on those days you want to take off. Make sure your clients get notified in good time. They are usually very understanding if you have a long running relationship. Plus having a subby to help out is useful.

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[jerryr]

I learnt years ago, either say no - most people will wait a reasonable time for a good job. Also if your working every spare hour and making Good living, it's time to employ someone. All work and no play is no good to anyone.

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[moteyi]

Depends how desperately you want some time off? I've just found that cutting the end off a finger will stop you being able to drive for a couple of weeks and then a few more weeks on top of that before I can gently start using that finger again.

On a more serious note, as has been said, if you are well established and good at what you do, then you just have to trust that customers will wait - easier said than done I know, but I am at the same stage too. It is easier since I paid off the mortgage as that was a big lump to find each month. Finally, if you have kids, listen to this https://youtu.be/B32yjbCSVpU


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[ha_banos]

I work contracts but only on one at a time for the last 15 years. They may be 3 months or 6 month contracts moving to different clients every 1 to 2 years on average.

I've never had a break between contracts. But I usually take a couple of weeks off over summer and Xmas. Plus I'll take a day or few if we fancy a long weekend break. Plus I may not be able to work 1 or 2 days a year if I'm that ill. Or a day off to herf [emoji16][emoji106] The works always still been there after, so far!

The thing is to build a nest egg as a buffer. You hopefully can do this otherwise perhaps review your rates? Or perhaps be investing along side and be able to liquidate? I'm no FA [emoji16]

I have a friend who's more freelance, in video production and she worries if people can afford her if she charges more. And she's not building up a buffer over time at the moment.

Been thinking for years how I can move from a pay per day model. But I don't know how [emoji19]

Glad to hear you're doing well now! But also plan in down time. How do you deal with holidays with the family! I'll certainly be taking a day or two out just to chill, smoke a cigar and think over this month!

One ex colleague loved the hunt so to speak. Work hard. Living to limits. I don't have the energy! [emoji16]

B.

[K444HEP]

All good point gents. The problem for me is that if I am vocal coaching (which is now a good 80 - 90%) of the time) there are rarely people that book a one off sesssion; it is more likely to be an ongoing commitment on a weekly basis. Unfortunately, subbing doesn’t work with this as people are booking with me based on reputation and results. I used to sub out a lot of work with contracts as it was more about the end result of the service, rather than the process, if that makes sense. I think I might just have to bite the bullet and lose a day here and there for some downtime.

[K444HEP]

I work contracts but only on one at a time for the last 15 years. They may be 3 months or 6 month contracts moving to different clients every 1 to 2 years on average.

I've never had a break between contracts. But I usually take a couple of weeks off over summer and Xmas. Plus I'll take a day or few if we fancy a long weekend break. Plus I may not be able to work 1 or 2 days a year if I'm that ill. Or a day off to herf [emoji16][emoji106] The works always still been there after, so far!

The thing is to build a nest egg as a buffer. You hopefully can do this otherwise perhaps review your rates? Or perhaps be investing along side and be able to liquidate? I'm no FA [emoji16]

I have a friend who's more freelance, in video production and she worries if people can afford her if she charges more. And she's not building up a buffer over time at the moment.

Been thinking for years how I can move from a pay per day model. But I don't know how [emoji19]

Glad to hear you're doing well now! But also plan in down time. How do you deal with holidays with the family! I'll certainly be taking a day or two out just to chill, smoke a cigar and think over this month!

One ex colleague loved the hunt so to speak. Work hard. Living to limits. I don't have the energy! [emoji16]

B.

We have a couple of properties that we rent out, so that acts as a buffer of sorts.

Rate-wise, I am the most expensive within the area, but with coaching, you get what you pay for ; ) If I was London-based, I could be charging ?200 an hour, but that figure isn’t sustainable here unfortunately...

Looking at the calendar, I’m wondering now whether to build in ‘holidays’ around Easter, Bank Holidays etc as I would traditionally just work through these due to the nature of the industry.

[oskihen]

I remember reading once that if you don't have the time to smoke a good cigar then you're working too hard.

A very wise statement John

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[K444HEP]

I remember reading once that if you don't have the time to smoke a good cigar then you're working too hard.

Maybe living by this mantra is the way to go!

[ha_banos]

Lol well you have the buffer sorted. You already expensive. So you have no excuses! [emoji16]

When we organising a group to to Cuba? [emoji16]

[Rich B]

When we organising a group to to Cuba? [emoji16]

That'd be awesome.