By Austin Andrukaitis, CEO of ChamberofCommerce.com and digital advertising and marketing strategist with greater than 15 years of expertise in creating on-line campaigns.

Working for your self can present rather more autonomy over your schedule and workload than working for an employer. Moderately than sticking to a strict 9-to-5 workday, you possibly can capitalize on instances you’re most efficient, consider private obligations and embrace flexibility.

Nevertheless, regardless of the power to create your individual hours, you additionally face the problem of balancing your skilled and private lives—particularly in relation to taking sick days. When you could also be tempted to work whereas sick, doing so might hinder your therapeutic and pressure you to take much more break day.

With that in thoughts, listed here are seven suggestions I’ve discovered to be useful for taking sick days as an entrepreneur.

1. Make it a ‘mild’ day.

Should you’re not severely sick and requiring hours of relaxation, then somewhat than taking a full time without work, schedule a “mild” day as a substitute. Cancel all calls or conferences with purchasers and employees, work from the consolation of your individual house and give attention to duties that don’t require as a lot cautious consideration or creativity.

If that also feels too draining, think about listening to enterprise podcasts, studying a profession growth ebook or watching instructional movies to assist maintain your thoughts sharp whereas resting. Moreover, be aware of any vital initiatives you’re lacking, upcoming deadlines you may must shift and priorities that can require your rapid consideration when you’re again.

2. Delegate duties to your workforce.

As a enterprise proprietor, you seemingly have a workforce of workers or contractors to depend on once you’re unable to work. Ideally, you’ll have already got a plan in place and go-to workers who’re keen to step up in these situations. Discuss to your workforce and see whether or not any trusted employees are capable of cowl a number of the work when you’re away. You’ll be able to even provide incentives like a bonus, free lunch or additional paid break day (PTO) once you return.

Additionally, think about coaching your workers in a few of your administration duties or shopper communications forward of time so that you received’t must scramble for protection on the final minute when sick. No matter whether or not you’re taking a sick day, it’s follow to coach employees in these areas.

3. Put together for sick days forward of time.

Put together for potential sick days such as you would for a trip. When you may not be capable of predict precisely once you’ll get sick, having a plan in place may ease your anxieties about it. For instance, put aside extra cash every month so you possibly can cowl misplaced earnings once you’re bedridden, or determine key workforce gamers you possibly can depend on once you’re absent.

One other tip is to keep away from leaving something to the final minute. You by no means know what can occur in life, so reap the benefits of the instances you’re most energized, motivated and at your healthiest. That method, you received’t spend your sick days feeling responsible or worrying about lacking vital deadlines. As an alternative, you possibly can give attention to therapeutic and resting.

4. Prioritize the suitable purchasers.

As an entrepreneur, your most vital shopper is your self. Should you’re feeling unwell, your efficiency will replicate that. Whereas it would really feel unusual to rank purchasers and initiatives based mostly on significance, be trustworthy with your self about that are value your time and which you’ll let down or put to the facet when sick. For instance, you may wish to prioritize a higher-paying, loyal shopper who’s on prime of funds over a shopper who persistently makes late funds or underpays you compared to others.

This doesn’t imply leaving any shopper out to dry—simply talk your state of affairs and availability appropriately. The correct purchasers will perceive your state of affairs and wish you to get higher. Should you face resistance when being clear about your well being and lack of ability to work—particularly when you’ve got offered options or stand-ins for once you’re away—think about whether or not that exact shopper is definitely worth the funding in the long term.

5. Hold your purchasers and workers up to date.

Odds are, your workers and purchasers will perceive if it is advisable take a couple of days off, push again a deadline or cancel a name. Nevertheless, with out communication, you’ll put your small business in a troublesome spot. Except you’re too sick to even ship an e-mail out of your telephone, attain out to every impacted get together and inform them of once you consider you may be again at work.

Be as open as doable so nobody is left at nighttime concerning your availability. Arrange away messages for emails, direct pressing communications to the suitable contacts and examine in as often as is possible once you’re feeling as much as it.

6. Work longer hours once you return.

Whereas it’s not best to “make up” your sick days, as a enterprise proprietor and your individual boss, you usually don’t get the posh of paid break day. Whenever you’re recovered and able to work once more, think about getting up a bit earlier or working a bit later into the night than you sometimes would to make amends for initiatives or duties.

Moreover, for those who missed any shopper calls whereas sick, reschedule somewhat than cancel them altogether. This demonstrates you worth the shopper’s time and vitality and that you simply’re prepared to indicate up as quickly as you’re properly once more.

7. Enable your self to relaxation.

Typically, resting is the most efficient factor you are able to do—particularly once you’re sick. Moderately than viewing relaxation as a waste of time away from work, view it as a needed precedence that can profit your small business and purchasers (as a result of it’s!)

The extra you push your self once you’re already unwell, the more severe you’ll really feel and the longer it’s going to take you to get well. Hearken to your physique and relaxation when needed so you possibly can return to work energized and wholesome. Throughout your restoration, even when you’re again to your regular schedule or attempting to play catch-up, get a minimum of eight hours of relaxation every evening and take breaks all through the day as wanted.

With out your well being, you don’t have anything—so deal with your self first.