As a solo entrepreneur, you’re used to doing everything yourself. You designed the logo, you communicate with clients, and you market the business to get your name out. Without you, the company doesn’t do anything, but as much as you enjoy being your own boss, it means everything stops when you do.
Whether you’re struck down by a sudden illness, require emergency treatment, or need to take a day or two to yourself to refresh and recharge, these times can inspire stress and worry. You panic about answering client calls, responding to queries, and meeting your goals. Without you, none of this happens, so how do you keep the work flowing when you’re all alone?
Scheduled and Automated
Part of being an entrepreneur is engaging with your customer base. It can be through weekly blog posts on your website or several posts on social media every day. When you’re away from your business, though, this routine goes off the rails.
Trying to create this content when ill means you risk not having your head entirely in the game. Instead, consider pre-writing posts and schedule them to post every day or week. Not only will this ensure you can still connect if you’re away for a day but also reduces the workload so you can focus on other parts of the business you may otherwise neglect.
Outsourcing
If you know you’re going to be away for a while, you can work with outsourcing firms for several different responsibilities in your business. These can include marketing, social media, and IT consultancy services that help your business run smoothly, even in your absence.
The beauty of outsourcing is that it does not require consistent use, and you can employ them as and when you need them. Instead of your business missing out on a week or two because you are away, you can keep the content and workload coming even if you’re on the other side of the world without a wifi signal in sight.
Treatment
If you are scheduled for medical care such as surgery or prescribed bed rest due to stress and burnout, consider looking at other treatment options to help you get back to work as fast as you can. Using companies such as Medtronic allow you to undertake the care you need while also minimising recovery time because of the minimally invasive nature of the treatment.
Taking mental health days is also useful, and you can combine such days with the scheduled and automated posts. In this instance, everybody wins. It gives you the chance to take a day to collect your head and return to work refreshed, while also ensuring that your customers can continue to use and interact with your service none the wiser that you’re not at your desk.
Go With the Flow
Part of the joys of being a solopreneur is you don’t have to answer to anyone. But at the same time, it means there’s no one to back you up if you need it. With these techniques, you can minimise the panic that sets in if you need to be away for a day, a week or a month, so everything still runs smoothly ready for you to return.