There are ways in which freelancers (freelance translators/interpreters included) can stay productive during vacation time, while fleeing the workload they have waiting at home.

The 10 tips listed in this article will help you stay inspired and take advantage of this down time:

• Prepare well before leaving. Get caught up with work before leaving, and if possible work ahead. Be sure to let your client’s know you’ll be away, especially your big clients.

• Check and answer emails for 30 min a day. If you’re using a vacation auto-responder for your e-mail client, you will find it a breeze as the e-mails won’t be that many. Hopefully!

• Carry around a notebook and a pen. Usually you get more inspiration when you’re not at home feeling the normal truckload of responsibility. Take advantage of your relaxed vacation mind and just write down what comes your way.

• Read your favorite blogs or bring along a work related book. Shorten it down to once a day, preferably before you go to bed. You process it better when you’re sleeping, this way you stay up to date with your interests. Try to keep it within an hour though.

• AVOID thinking about your workload, it’s counter productive and will ruin your vacation.

• Plan your day for unexpected things to happen. If you’re a person who plans their vacation, make sure to leave a spot open for unexpected or impulsive things. It’s more fun that way, and will bring some needed diversity into your life.

• Take long nature walks, find a stone and sit down to embrace everything around you. Both inspirational and amazing, you discover new ways to do things.

• NEVER think – “It’s just a small thing, it’ll only take 5 minutes to do”. Write it down instead and do it when you’re back home, it’s ALWAYS more than just 5 minutes.

• Talk with people, but don’t tell or show them what you do. If you tell people what you do, chances are that they will ask questions. Voila, you’re back in your office and on square one – which is bad. If you still tell them, make sure to let them know you’re on vacation and write down what they ask you. Do it when you’re back home instead, saves you a headache or two.

• Avoid talking about work, clients, design, ideas, writing or anything else that’s work related. Your friends or family will think you’re boring and always think about work.
• Bonus tip. Do things you normally wouldn’t do. Such as, turning off your phone or leave your computer at home. You will get a relaxing feeling from it.

The big thing about productivity while on vacation, is to not be overly productive, take a real break from work and come back recharged. Once back at work you’ll see your productivity soar.

See: Freelance Switch