Life Gets in the Way

 

What happens when life gets in the way of those carefully laid-out plans? It does. It irritates me. I want to say, "How rude!" I can stomp my foot and harrumph, but stuff still gets in the way.

There was a series of blog post ideas laid out. Research done. I just needed to put them all together, edit them, and post them to the various media sites. Then the dreaded "ick" hit me hard. Leaving out the gory details, I could do my work and then crawl back into a sickly slumber. For weeks. If, like me, you are the sole proprietor of your business, a hiccup like this can set you back. Especially when unplanned. I will confess right now that I coasted on a streak of decent health and was slack in preparing for an emergency or a pause in running a business. I was lucky and covered most of my responsibilities, but left the others for when I was back to reasonable health.

2025 is a new year, it's time to create "Break this in case of emergency" plans.

Here are some suggestions: For sole proprietors, illness can be a significant blow as income often directly correlates with work hours. Here are some simple solutions to help mitigate the impact:

  1. Emergency Fund:
    • The Foundation: A dedicated savings account specifically for unexpected expenses, including medical bills and lost income due to illness.
    • Aim High: Aim for 3-6 months of living expenses to cover a prolonged absence.
  2. Automate as Much as Possible:
    • Client Communication: Set up automated email responses for inquiries during absences.
    • Scheduling: Utilize scheduling tools (like Calendly or Acuity Scheduling) to allow clients to book appointments independently.
    • Social Media: Schedule posts in advance to maintain an online presence even when you're not actively working.
  3. Build a Network:
    • Find a "Business Buddy": Another sole proprietor in a different field who can offer support and potentially cover urgent tasks during illness.
    • Virtual Assistant: Even part-time help can free up your time for essential tasks when you're not at full capacity.
  4. Short-Term Solutions:
    • Reschedule Clients: When possible, politely reschedule appointments or deadlines.
    • Offer "Rain Checks": For services, offer rain checks to clients affected by your absence.
    • Delegate (if possible): If you have any contracted work, see if deadlines can be slightly adjusted.
  5. Insurance Options (Explore These Carefully):
    • Short-Term Disability Insurance: Provides income replacement for a limited period.
    • Health Insurance: Crucial for covering medical expenses and ensuring a speedy recovery.

Important Note: These are just a few starting points. The best solutions will depend on the specific nature of your business and your individual needs.

I hope these suggestions are helpful!

This new year is a good time to get things in order. You don't have to do it all at once, but you can sketch out a plan for the year. As an example, coming up with 3-6 months of living expenses may not be possible right now. Maybe you can eliminate expenses that have been fun but are unnecessary. How many streaming services do you need, anyway?

Step out of your comfort zone and dust off your networking skills. Meet new people. Take on a couple of volunteer projects. Could you partner with someone who has adjacent skills? A writer and web designer can collaborate.

Now I am back in good health. I will look at my options, dust off the blog ideas, and see what fresh adventures I can entertain.

Sandra Lee Schubert ©All Rights Reserved, 2025 

Creative Vagabond: Transforming Ideas into Engaging Content. Articles. Courses. Blogs. E-Books. Social Media. Text Us. 347-418-1157

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