As a busy entrepreneur, you may find it difficult to take a few days off of work, let alone find time for an overseas vacation. If your new business is still growing, it can also be difficult to justify spending the money. 

It’s tempting to delay time off, especially when you work for yourself, but doing that can lead to burnout. Then you aren’t any good to your business or your team.

Instead, take the time to plan your vacation carefully so that everything goes smoothly, and you can actually enjoy yourself while away, returning refreshed and ready to jump straight back in. 

Here are three very straightforward, quick tips, for achieving an enjoyable vacation where you’re not bringing your work overseas with you.

Quick Tips for Busy Entrepreneurs for an Enjoyable Overseas Vacation

Budgeting: Don’t Get Overwhelmed

It can be difficult when you run your own business, to want to spend money on a vacation instead of spending it as an investment. And you may even feel a sense of guilt for putting money here.

But know that an investment in yourself, and your rest and mental sharpness, is an investment in your business perhaps even more so than the costs of it.

And you can always budget for a trip to bring the costs down.

The key to controlling your vacation costs is to plan your vacation carefully and know the costs of each element ahead of time. These include airfare, hotel rooms, food, and car rentals. But don’t forget about other costs that may not be on your radar. 

Below are some additional costs to consider:

• Currency exchange rates
• Departure taxes
• Credit or debit card fees
• Cell phone provider fees
• Travel insurance
• Baggage fees

Also, make sure that you set aside some money for both spontaneous activities and emergencies.

Set Your Team up for Success

It can be difficult to leave a business that you started to go on an overseas vacation, but remember that you have worked hard to create a strong team.

Trust them to take care of things in your absence, but leave them with the resources they need to succeed.

Before you go, take the time to do the following:

• Complete approvals and other scheduled tasks
• Appoint a stand-in manager
• Give your team access to your calendar
• Anticipate issues and clue in your team
• Let clients know you will be unavailable and give them contact information
• Set realistic goals

You may find it helpful to provide your designated stand-in access to your office. This is especially important if you keep documents or other items there that someone may need to access. If so, your team will appreciate it if you leave the space well-organized. 

Key Interiors offers several insights into setting up a streamlined office. This could help prevent panic over missing items in your absence.

When you have trust in an organized team who feel confident they can act in your absence, you’re going to enjoy a vacation with far less interuptions and work calls / check-ins.

Limit Check-Ins

The purpose of your vacation is to enjoy time with friends or family, see new sites, and enjoy exciting experiences. Hopefully, you will return feeling refreshed and energized. 

With that being said, none of these things are going to happen if you are continually leashed to your business. This includes checking texts and emails multiple times each day, hopping onto conference calls, or working remotely.

It’s understandable that you may not be able to disconnect completely for your entire trip. What you can do is set limits and take a deliberate approach.

For example, rather than checking in throughout the day, dedicate an hour in the evening to dealing with work-related tasks and communications.