![\"Learn](\"https:\/\/staticblog.virtualvocations.com\/2021\/01\/10TipstoPreventWorkfromHomeBurnout-1024x436.webp)
<\/picture><\/a>Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid of Taking Time Off<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBefore getting into the nitty-gritty of how to take time off as a contractor, you should first understand why it’s good for you. Because let’s be honest: Americans are terrible about taking an appropriate amount of vacation<\/a>. Call it an industrious attitude, fear of losing money, or just poor work policies, but contractors, employees, and freelancers have a tough time unplugging from it all \u2014 especially in a remote atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBut taking time off comes with a number of advantages that you \u2014 and your clients \u2014 shouldn’t ignore:<\/p>\n\n\n
- Physical reasons<\/strong>: If you’ve packed on a few pounds from working too much, a vacation can help you get some much-needed exercise and put you back on track to healthier habits.<\/li>
- The Oxygen Mask Rule<\/strong><\/a>: The idea of putting your mask on before assisting others applies directly to burnout. If you don’t have your own self-interest as your top priority, you’re going to struggle with other responsibilities.<\/li>
- The excitement of looking forward to something<\/strong>: The mundane can rule a contractor’s existence when it’s the same thing every day or week. But when you schedule a vacation, you’re effectively breaking the mold. Studies even show that you can have heightened efficiency and improved mood up to eight weeks before you actually head to your destination.<\/li>
- Your clients won’t care as much as you think<\/strong>. If you’re a great contractor, you’re in rare company. While remote work can be cutthroat in certain professions, gelling with a client in terms of professionalism, mentality, work ethic, and personality doesn’t happen every day. If you’ve been great so far, few clients \u2014 or at least the ones worth working for \u2014 surely won’t mind if you take time off as a contractor.<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Give Your Client a Heads-Up<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nGiving your client fair notice is perhaps the most important part of taking time off as a contractor. Even if you work a flexible remote job<\/a>, you still need to inform clients in a timely manner, i.e. don’t bite the hand that feeds you.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAs a general rule, you should give clients between one and two months of notice before you take a vacation or a longer-than-a-weekend trip. This will give your client time to feng shui their schedule, pick up your workload, or assign your work to someone else for the amount of time that you’re gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Never wait until the last minute to give your client a heads-up. Not only can it damage your relationship, but you also leave your client holding the bag. That’s something that no one will appreciate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/staticblog.virtualvocations.com\/2021\/10\/WorkingfromHomeMindfullyCourse-1024x1024.png\")
<\/picture><\/a> Click Here to View the Virtual Vocations Working From Home Mindfully Course!<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nKnow When It’s Hectic<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSpeaking of telling your client when you’re going on vacation, you also need to time your vacation correctly<\/a>. Are you working on a giant project that’s near a deadline? Have you been consistently falling behind on your work due to burnout? Does your contact have other responsibilities to worry about? These are the questions you need to ask yourself before you schedule a vacation.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhile only you know when the ideal vacation time is, you might want to consider one after the completion of a major project. You’ll need a break, your client will need a break, and you can hopefully agree on the perfect occasion to take time off \u2014 even if it’s at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nComplete Assignments Early<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf you feel like your workload is so large that you feel like you’re never going to be able to take time off as a contractor, you aren’t alone. However, you do have the proverbial ace up your sleeve: ask for your assignments ahead of time and complete them early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of doing your normal workload, you can take a few weeks or a month to complete the tasks that are needed while you’re gone. This may feel like you’re being overworked, but it also gives you a goal to achieve. And once you complete your tasks, you have an entire vacation that’s free of any responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nTry the 2\/6<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nAnother way that you can take time off as a contractor is by applying the 2\/6 method. This method is essentially a slimmed-down workcation. In an eight-hour period, you can do whatever you want for six hours and work for two hours. How you choose to work is entirely up to you, and you can fit it to your personality and works schedule, whether you’re a night owl or a morning person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The idea is to relax when you’re working<\/a>. Don’t get caught up by work when you’re trying to apply the 2\/6 method or it could easily get reversed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nContractors and PTO: Is It a Real Thing?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSome outsiders or employees may think that contractors get PTO, but a vast majority of the time, it’s simply not true. This is the double-edged sword of being a contractor. You can work your own hours and at your own pace, but you don’t get the perks that a normal employee would in terms of benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Negotiating PTO as a contractor isn’t going to be an easy sell either. As a contractor, you’re a temporary or bit-part worker, and clients know it. That isn’t to say they’ll treat you poorly, but most know the numbers. You make more money than you would as an employee, and they pay less because they’re cutting out the middleman. So if you’ve dreamed of PTO as a contractor, you might want to keep on dreaming. If you’ve gotten to that point, you should probably look for full-time employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n![\"Learn](\"https:\/\/staticblog.virtualvocations.com\/2021\/07\/HowtoTakeaVacationWhenYouWorkfromHome-1024x436.png\")
<\/picture><\/a>Click Here To Get More Tips on Taking a Vacation as a Remote Worker<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nDon’t Overthink It<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHumans aren’t robots, and even if you’ve been Johnny-on-the-Spot for all your clients, burnout is more harmful than just taking time off as a contractor. And that’s the cardinal rule. Don’t overthink your role as a contractor. Sure, your clients count on you, but if you’re not at 100%, your clients aren’t getting the best work possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you need time off, the best approach is to just be straightforward. You don’t have to go into minute details or personal stories. You might be surprised how willing others are to work with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n \n Search for Remote Freelance and Independent Contractor Jobs<\/strong><\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n\nAre you a contractor? How do you manage your time off?<\/em><\/strong> Connect with Virtual Vocations on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, and YouTube<\/a> to share your thoughts and tips. We\u2019d love to hear from you!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/staticblog.virtualvocations.com\/2013\/03\/VVlogo.jpg\")
<\/picture>
Join Virtual Vocations<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tJoining\u00a0Virtual Vocations<\/a>\u00a0grants you access to our hand-picked remote jobs database.\u00a0Learn\u00a0how our service works<\/a>, browse job leads by\u00a0location and career category<\/a>, or search hundreds of hand-screened remote jobs to find legitimate work-at-home job leads that match your skills and background.\u00a0Register for free<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0contact us<\/a>\u00a0for more information on our service guarantee.
Check out our menu of\u00a0Career Services\u00a0provided by our team of certified professionals, including resume and career coaching services for remote jobseekers. Resume assessments and writing, LinkedIn profile enhancement, and cover letter writing are available to maximize the success of your remote job applications.\u00a0Discounts on all services available to subscription members,\u00a0become one now.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
But taking time off comes with a number of advantages that you \u2014 and your clients \u2014 shouldn’t ignore:<\/p>\n\n\n
- Physical reasons<\/strong>: If you’ve packed on a few pounds from working too much, a vacation can help you get some much-needed exercise and put you back on track to healthier habits.<\/li>
- The Oxygen Mask Rule<\/strong><\/a>: The idea of putting your mask on before assisting others applies directly to burnout. If you don’t have your own self-interest as your top priority, you’re going to struggle with other responsibilities.<\/li>
- The excitement of looking forward to something<\/strong>: The mundane can rule a contractor’s existence when it’s the same thing every day or week. But when you schedule a vacation, you’re effectively breaking the mold. Studies even show that you can have heightened efficiency and improved mood up to eight weeks before you actually head to your destination.<\/li>
- Your clients won’t care as much as you think<\/strong>. If you’re a great contractor, you’re in rare company. While remote work can be cutthroat in certain professions, gelling with a client in terms of professionalism, mentality, work ethic, and personality doesn’t happen every day. If you’ve been great so far, few clients \u2014 or at least the ones worth working for \u2014 surely won’t mind if you take time off as a contractor.<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nGive Your Client a Heads-Up<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Giving your client fair notice is perhaps the most important part of taking time off as a contractor. Even if you work a flexible remote job<\/a>, you still need to inform clients in a timely manner, i.e. don’t bite the hand that feeds you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a general rule, you should give clients between one and two months of notice before you take a vacation or a longer-than-a-weekend trip. This will give your client time to feng shui their schedule, pick up your workload, or assign your work to someone else for the amount of time that you’re gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Never wait until the last minute to give your client a heads-up. Not only can it damage your relationship, but you also leave your client holding the bag. That’s something that no one will appreciate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/picture><\/a>Click Here to View the Virtual Vocations Working From Home Mindfully Course!<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n \n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nKnow When It’s Hectic<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Speaking of telling your client when you’re going on vacation, you also need to time your vacation correctly<\/a>. Are you working on a giant project that’s near a deadline? Have you been consistently falling behind on your work due to burnout? Does your contact have other responsibilities to worry about? These are the questions you need to ask yourself before you schedule a vacation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While only you know when the ideal vacation time is, you might want to consider one after the completion of a major project. You’ll need a break, your client will need a break, and you can hopefully agree on the perfect occasion to take time off \u2014 even if it’s at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nComplete Assignments Early<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you feel like your workload is so large that you feel like you’re never going to be able to take time off as a contractor, you aren’t alone. However, you do have the proverbial ace up your sleeve: ask for your assignments ahead of time and complete them early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead of doing your normal workload, you can take a few weeks or a month to complete the tasks that are needed while you’re gone. This may feel like you’re being overworked, but it also gives you a goal to achieve. And once you complete your tasks, you have an entire vacation that’s free of any responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nTry the 2\/6<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Another way that you can take time off as a contractor is by applying the 2\/6 method. This method is essentially a slimmed-down workcation. In an eight-hour period, you can do whatever you want for six hours and work for two hours. How you choose to work is entirely up to you, and you can fit it to your personality and works schedule, whether you’re a night owl or a morning person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The idea is to relax when you’re working<\/a>. Don’t get caught up by work when you’re trying to apply the 2\/6 method or it could easily get reversed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nContractors and PTO: Is It a Real Thing?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Some outsiders or employees may think that contractors get PTO, but a vast majority of the time, it’s simply not true. This is the double-edged sword of being a contractor. You can work your own hours and at your own pace, but you don’t get the perks that a normal employee would in terms of benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Negotiating PTO as a contractor isn’t going to be an easy sell either. As a contractor, you’re a temporary or bit-part worker, and clients know it. That isn’t to say they’ll treat you poorly, but most know the numbers. You make more money than you would as an employee, and they pay less because they’re cutting out the middleman. So if you’ve dreamed of PTO as a contractor, you might want to keep on dreaming. If you’ve gotten to that point, you should probably look for full-time employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/picture><\/a>Click Here To Get More Tips on Taking a Vacation as a Remote Worker<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n \n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nDon’t Overthink It<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Humans aren’t robots, and even if you’ve been Johnny-on-the-Spot for all your clients, burnout is more harmful than just taking time off as a contractor. And that’s the cardinal rule. Don’t overthink your role as a contractor. Sure, your clients count on you, but if you’re not at 100%, your clients aren’t getting the best work possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you need time off, the best approach is to just be straightforward. You don’t have to go into minute details or personal stories. You might be surprised how willing others are to work with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n \nSearch for Remote Freelance and Independent Contractor Jobs<\/strong><\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n<\/div>\n\n\nAre you a contractor? How do you manage your time off?<\/em><\/strong> Connect with Virtual Vocations on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, and YouTube<\/a> to share your thoughts and tips. We\u2019d love to hear from you!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/picture>
Join Virtual Vocations<\/strong>
<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tJoining\u00a0Virtual Vocations<\/a>\u00a0grants you access to our hand-picked remote jobs database.\u00a0Learn\u00a0how our service works<\/a>, browse job leads by\u00a0location and career category<\/a>, or search hundreds of hand-screened remote jobs to find legitimate work-at-home job leads that match your skills and background.\u00a0Register for free<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0contact us<\/a>\u00a0for more information on our service guarantee.
Check out our menu of\u00a0Career Services\u00a0provided by our team of certified professionals, including resume and career coaching services for remote jobseekers. Resume assessments and writing, LinkedIn profile enhancement, and cover letter writing are available to maximize the success of your remote job applications.\u00a0Discounts on all services available to subscription members,\u00a0become one now.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t - The Oxygen Mask Rule<\/strong><\/a>: The idea of putting your mask on before assisting others applies directly to burnout. If you don’t have your own self-interest as your top priority, you’re going to struggle with other responsibilities.<\/li>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/staticblog.virtualvocations.com\/2021\/10\/WorkingfromHomeMindfullyCourse-1024x1024.webp)
<\/picture><\/a>![\"Learn](\"https:\/\/staticblog.virtualvocations.com\/2021\/07\/HowtoTakeaVacationWhenYouWorkfromHome-1024x436.webp)
<\/picture><\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/staticblog.virtualvocations.com\/2013\/03\/VVlogo.webp\")
<\/picture>