I wrote yesterday about the various ways I try to get geared up for a business trip and organize my home business, family and life BEFORE I leave. Since I am a single parent, as well as a home business owner, I still need to run my business and take care of things from afar no matter where I might be or how far away from home. It is one thing to make sure that the cats are getting fed and the mail is collected, it is quite another thing to keep a business afloat from thousands of miles away…
As I wrote yesterday, I have found that preparation is important and that includes letting everyone who needs to know (and some who do not) that I am going to be gone. I explain that my response time will be extended and if I do not think I will be able to return calls or be consistent with emails (as is sometimes the case with international travel) then I tell people that up front. It does not matter how clear I am, however, there will be a couple who are pretty crabby when I get home and wonder where I have been!
If a person can check in and can get someone to do some substitute work while one is away then it might not be such a bit deal to try to hold things together from afar. You are still the ultimate responsible person in your business, however, and you will need to decide if you delegate decision-making power or have certain things that must wait until your return. Leave detailed instructions and written information to avoid mishaps.
Finally, try to keep things in perspective. It will not be the end of the world if things have to wait a few days and even if our home businesses are incredibly important to us, there are other things that come first and plenty of realities that our outside of our control. We can only do our best and then we have to let some things go.