Indiecation Nation

With More Americans Becoming Entrepreneurs, Indiecations Are the New Vacations

A lot is being discussed these days about "staycations". These alternatives to vacations are taking place more and more as families find that the rising cost of gas and other consumer goods is making it more difficult to vacation away from home. They are meeting this challenge by taking time off, but staying at home to "staycation."

       

Last week, I was on "indiecation," a term I coined to describe the kind of vacation Indie Business owners like me take. Indiecations are enjoyed by solo and family owned businesses who take traditional vacations away from home, but who still have to manage their businesses day to day, even while away. Indiecations are characterized by a mixture of traditional vacation time and work time, often done at the same time. Here are some tips you can use to enjoy your Indiecation.

1. Take Your Indie Business Mindset

Since indiecation is a mixture of vacation and Indie Business management, you have to take your Indie Business mindset with you. This is especially important if you are traveling with your family.

Indie Business ownership is different from traditional work where you are employed by someone else. As an Indie, you are always "on" as a family member and as a business owner -- always. Even when on vacation.

An Indie Business mindset is one that acknowledges in advance that, while there will be times when 100% of your attention will be devoted to family, there will also be times when you will split your attention between family and work. In both cases, always be ready to transition fully or partially from one to the other.

Relax into your various roles. See yourself as one person with two important and overlapping commitments: work and family. Each is important. Each is interdependent on the other.

2. Let Others Know Your Plan

The biggest mistake you can make is to plan for indiecation while the rest of the family is planning for vacation.

If you plan to work during your vacation, let your traveling partners know that you will be working. Try to schedule time when you are 100% devoted to them. For example, on our indiecation last week, my 100% family times were meal times and after 10:00pm when the kids when to bed.

While we ate, we enjoyed uninterrupted conversation. No ringing, vibrating or buzzing. After the kids were asleep, my husband and I could enjoy doing whatever we wanted to do. Interestingly, since both my husband and I have businesses, we found ourselves working together after the kids went to bed. There we were, side by side at the dining table, enjoying what we love -- the work we do, that supports our family.

It's an interesting juggle, made easier by the fact that we are both self-employed. Whether you and your significant other are both self-employed, or whether just one of you is, plan in advance whether and when you will be combining business and pleasure. This will avoid misunderstandings and hurt feelings.

Ask me how I know.

3. Digitize

Make it easy to be effective and efficient while on indiecation. Take your laptop. Stay at a location that is Wi-Fi enabled. Take your Blackberry or iPhone, and remember the chargers.

The more access you have to digital technologies and accessories, the easier it will be for you to complete work-related tasks quickly and correctly so you don't waste a moment of time.What do you think?

Since everyone should have a stream of income that they control, even if they also have a traditional job (or two), I think we are becoming an indiecation nation. When you go away on vacation, do you find that, like me, you are actually on indiecation? What insights can you share from your experiences? If you have additional tips to offer, please leave them in the comment section below.

What do you think?

Since everyone should have a stream of income that they control, even if they also have a traditional job (or two), I think we are becoming an indiecation nation. When you go away on vacation, do you find that, like me, you are actually on indiecation? What insights can you share from your experiences? If you have additional tips to offer, please leave them in the comment section below.

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Comments

[Kelly Bloom - Southern Soapers Fragrances]

When traveling, it is VERY easy to leave the adapter to one or more of your electronic devices at airport layovers, your hotel, or even just forgot to bring it in the first place. Sometimes you don't realize it until you are already checked out and about to leave for the airport.

If you forgot your adapter at home, or if it is too late to get access to the hotel room you stayed in again, you can often inquire at the hotel Concierge Desk. Hotels have BINS of electronic adapter that other guests have also left behind. There is a very good chance that you will quickly find a replacement adapter that will work for your phone or other electronic device.

It is worth asking and checking before purchasing another adapter, :)

[dM]

Thanks for that contribution, Kelly. I see that you probably speak from experience!! Hotels these days are great. They really do want to be seen as able to keep you connected so they often go above and beyond in this area. Travel safe!

[thesoapbartender]

i've been taking indiecations for quite a few years now. i don't see how you could do it any other way. the suspense would kill me! besides, i get far too many emails from customers and potential customers to just let them all pile up. i'd be totally inundated when i got home (not to mention the fact that i'd be giving poor customer service which is not an option).

it's very easy for passionate indies like us (aka workaholics) to "think" we're on vacation when we're really not though. so set a certain time limit each day to take care of business . . . (ok maybe 2 times) . . . prioritize and handle what really can't wait, but then walk away and unplug yourself the rest of the time.

[dM]

Hey soap bartender! Great comments! I love that you say that "the suspense would kill you." How great is it to love what you do so much that the thought of what might happen next carries with is suspense and excitement. What could be better?