Hi Guys,

I have just got over a week of a terrible virus that left me in bed for two days and most importantly without a voice! I couldn't answer my phone and I hardly did any work, it was an awful viral infection that the doctors couldn't do anything about....they jusy said let it run its course, etc.

All the time when I was ill in bed I felt tremendous guilt about my work not getting done, thankfully my clients are great and understanding but I feel I can't let this happen again.

It would be great to hear what everyone else does in this kinda situation..........

Also what about when you go on holiday?

Thanks
Miriam

Great question Miriam. I personally have an employee and three VAs that I delegate to day to day tasks. I've recently been suffering from migraines that leave me in bed but I have my procedures written (currently rewriting to cope with current growth and client levels) and my business goes on without me. As a manager of a team I am constantly learning and tweaking our procedures and systems (public apology to my VAs who hang out here too) to get it as perfect as possible. I know it will be an annual event (rewriting procedures) but I am confident that when I am finished and if I have been hit by a bus, my girls will be able to look after things for me.

As for holidays? What's that? Haven't had one since my eldest was 18mths old (he's now 8). ROFL

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Kylie Short
Tilda Virtual Services - Making virtual personal

I have only had my VA practice open since February, but I had one of those days where I just felt absolutely ill! I stayed in bed most of the day, but I had my laptop right there with me. I didn’t get much work done though.

The next day I was fine and caught up with my client’s work the rest of the week! I felt absolutely guilty about it, but there wasn’t much I could do.

I am always writing notes and creating policies/procedures for my business, as well as, for my client’s business. Because like Kylie, I want to be sure everything is in place should I ever get hit by a bus (I use that figure of speech all the time too Kylie, I am glad I am not the only one!). I even added a user to my Basecamp account for my husband/mother just in case.

The main thing to remember is to get your rest because working at half capacity or no capacity is not going to do you or your clients any good! The same holds true to being on vacation (holiday). You are on a break for a reason, to recoup. As long as you give your clients ample notice, they should understand. I am going to Texas in a month, I do plan on taking my laptop, but plan on working minimally, if at all. I already advised my one and only client of this. Should I take on any new clients between now and then (I hope, I hope ) I will let them know the dates I will be out of the office right away.

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Darlene Victoria Gonzalez
The Voice & Vision Behind Your Business

It's important to let your clients know ahead of time when your vacations are. I usually have a clause in my contract that tells clients that I'll give them a 2 week notice before any vacations. As far as getting ill, the best thing I can suggest is to maybe have some VAs on call that you can utilize if it is an extended illness. If it's just a one day thing, just let your clients know that you may be a little late getting the work done. I hope this helps.

The past year and a half has been insanely crazy for me. In all honesty, it's a wonder I have any clients after some of the things I've gone through. My dad got sick, then had a heart attack then my sister donated a kidney to him...(that's the condensed version of the summarized cliff notes) this all went on over a course of 13 months. I was finally recovering from that ordeal when I got sick and was out of it for six weeks. I was able to work a bit during that time but nothing like I need to or am used to. It was a horrible time. Now, on top of that, I'm single so there is no one for me to fall back on and this is my ONLY source of income.

So, what did I do? I let my client's know what was going on. Many people will tell you to keep your personal life separate from your business life. That's a good tip but there are times when your clients need to know that you are human too. My client's didn't get all the details but they did know that there were serious things going on in my family and then that I was sick. I have back-up people I can call on to cover for me when something has to get done and I can't do it. I think it's super important to have someone that you can call on if needed. Other than that...things got prioritized and pushed around and I had to tell people I just can't do that right now....if it can wait I'll get to it when I can.

When I go on vacation I review my schedule for the week before I'm gone, the time I'm gone, and the week after. Then I adjust things based on what can be postponed, what needs to be moved up and what I need to find someone else to cover for me. I take two types of vacation...working vacations and non-working vacations. On working vacations I'm on call and have my laptop and will do some small tasks (payroll, etc.). These are usually when I'm visiting my family. Non working vacations everything gets pushed off.

It is really important to have a plan before something comes up because there is NOTHING worse than sitting in the ER not knowing if someone you love is going to live through the night and having to figure out how your business will survive with you not there.

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Lanel Taylor, CVA ~ Virtual Bookkeeper
Taylored Office Solutions
Custom fit solutions for all your office needs.

I just wanted to add a little tidbit that I read the other day. It said that the first thing to go when you get short on money or time is a vacation. However, it advised that that is the worst thing to do. It stated that you are not doing yourself or your employer (in this case client) any favors if you are running at half-capacity.
If you are working at your best because you took a week off (or maybe just a couple of days) then you are definitely doing a great service for your client. They are still saving so much money having a VA that surely they would understand the need for a breather.