Do you hesitate with the thought of taking a few weeks off this summer because of your business? Are you secretly afraid that your blog and business will suffer because of your absence? Work may pile up when you return and the need to catch up seems to give you more stress than just staying home and not vacationing.
According to an ABC News report, Americans only get about 16 vacation days in a year while our European counterparts have a lot more. Even hard-working British get 28 days. Germans, 35, French, 37 and Italians, 42. Are we overworked?
Summer Holiday, or Vacation as we called it here in America, was a new concept to me when I first moved to the United States. We grew up in a tropical country where it was summer all year. School was off only in December. The word summer holiday was introduced to me at a very young age by my uncle. He loved Cliff Richard and The Shadows. In fact, I could even hum their popular song called Summer Holiday. This song uplifts me and will surely help you dream about a summer vacation. Here is a short movie clip with that song:
We do need to take a break from our work. To recharge, rejuvenate, refresh and just relax.
Why summer vacation?
1. If you have school aged children, summer will be the only time you can take an extended trip.
2. The days are longer and there are more activities in most cities, national parks and amusement parks.
3. The weather is suitable for outdoor activities in most parts of the United States.
4. It could be a way to continue your family’s tradition or culture.
5. Get connected with our children and have fun together.
How do you keep blogging when you are taking time off?
How do you stay consistent with your blog?
You can plan ahead and blog in advance for all the days you are gone. But it may not be possible if you are taking more than a month off or have many other things to take care off before you leave for vacation.
Obviously, other than blogging, business owners have to take care of lots more like their customers’ needs and their products or services.
Bring your work with you while you vacation. This may not be an option if you are trying to spend quality time with your family or trying to get away from it all to get your well-deserved break.
Here’s a better solution, get help from ghost bloggers who have the experience of blogging and are familiar with your business. For this reason, I’m offering Summer Ghost Blogging Special for the month of July and August to help you with your blogging and e-newsletter needs.
Please check out our Summer Ghost Blogging Special. Have a great summer vacation.
It can be challenging to keep writing during the summer. We've been having a family reunion for the past 2 weeks. As a family we always used to vacation together with our extended family, so it seems natural. Just like we used to bring books to read with us, I've been continuing to write.... but it does seem like a such a challenge!
Having a ghost writer sounds like a really great idea!
Hi Claudia, such a timely post; I just went on vacation and I preparred ahead of time with my posts and everything that comes with it; it was a struggle but worhted. I like the idea of a ghostwriter though....awesome!
In every job I have ever had (we'll apart from flipping burgers in high school), I've had to prepare before leaving for vacation. Tasks have to be covered. Responsibilities have to be shifted for the 1-2 weeks that I am away.
What I like better even than 'ghost' blogging (with all due respect) is 'guest' blogging. It's great to lean on on-line colleagues to pump up your site with their content and hopefully build followers for you AND the guest blogger.
Claudia, this is a great reminder to keep focusing on taking time off from busy blogging. I have this on my goal list. I want to be able to take a week off every couple of months. However, I'm working on that streamlining thing. I think I'm finally getting the hang of it!!
Claudia...Ghost writers are a great idea....but I'm not too sure how that works with art. Suppose I can find someone to keep up with the paintings too??? Lol...just kidding. I am keeping myself busy just staying a bit ahead of the posts. We have only ever taken three vacations in forty-four years of marriage. I know, that's a very bad thing, but it has just turned out that way. I am kind of a unique entity when it comes to blogging, but maybe I can figure out something!
I so need a vacation...thank you for your tips on preparing a ahead of time!
I have to admit I've never thought of this! Maybe it's because I've only been blogging for about a year now. Or it may be that I just don't take enough vacations!
Great song in the video, by the way. :O)
Whilst I always it's good to have ideas and blogs planned to keep continuity, I think it's equally important to take time off. I find that if I take just a few days to switch off from being online, phone etc I feel energised and also it allows time for creativity!
Great post Claudia!