Day off?

[Corabar Entertainment]

We've discussed times of the day that we'll answer phones / reply to emails - even what we do with the business whilst we're on holiday, but I can't recall us ever discussing whether anyone has a specified day of the week off (ie a day that you are 'closed').

We don't have a specific day off, and I do find that I end up doing something every day (if I'm not away) - which really isn't a good thing long term, because unless I'm away on holiday, I end up not having any time off whatsoever (although some days I do work more than others, obviously).

This weekend, I decided to take a couple of days off and I didn't even turn the computer on, and it was BLISS!

So, what about you? Do you have specific days off, do you just take a day here or there ad hoc, or do you work every day unless you're actually away on holiday?

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Nope not me. I'm hungry for improving and as its my only source of income I don't think I would gain anything from having a day off.

[Charlie Brown]

Perhaps I can't really comment on this but I've noticed a decline in bookings as I've been missing calls, emails and not pouring my usual amount of energy and enthusiasm into what I do.

I'm just so tired so by the time I get home at 7.00pm the last thing I want to do is sit and reply to emails!

Like Neil said, you need to pour a lot of time and energy into it to make it work.

Shame really. :(

[ppentertainments]

I answer the phone whenever it rings still. The nearest I come to a day off is every Sunday. On a sunday I only check my emails once in the evening and all calls are diverted to my mobile. Once up in the morning I make breakfast then we have a family day out.

Obviously should I get a booking for a 'good' gig I will not refuse but it does have to be a good booking.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Perhaps I can't really comment on this but I've noticed a decline in bookings as I've been missing calls, emails and not pouring my usual amount of energy and enthusiasm into what I do.

I'm just so tired so by the time I get home at 7.00pm the last thing I want to do is sit and reply to emails!

Like Neil said, you need to pour a lot of time and energy into it to make it work.

Shame really. :(

Its something I noticed when going full time to about energy levels etc...

Use to have 2/3 cans of energy drink per day to get me through. Now I might have one cup of coffee every couple of weeks and thats it.

[Danno13]

As a rule I don't take calls or check emails on a Sunday, but will happily go out collecting hires from the Saturday night as that's part and parcel of taking the booking most of time - I find that this way I get the occasional Sunday as a proper day off.

[StarZSoundS]

Having a TAXING (don't Panic) full-time day-time job with the Government (don't panic again) is a real killer....


I haven't had a holiday since God was a boy and look forward to perhaps one full day off a Month!!!

I'm wishing the phone would stop ringing at the moment as I hate saying no!!!

HOWEVER...........Stringing Holidays together from my full-time job means I can have a decent break over Crimbo!!!My residency has snapped me up for the cream nights tho!!!:beer1: :beer1: :beer1: :beer1: :beer1:

[funkymook]

I wish I had enough work coming in to warrant a day off! I'm happy taking calls and answering email enquiries any day of the week at the moment.

[Shaun]

Sunday is my day off. All calls are left for the answer-machine and I leave all emails till the Monday morning.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I cant actually remember getting any enquries on a sunday?

[ppentertainments]

Sunday is my day off. All calls are left for the answer-machine and I leave all emails till the Monday morning.
That is what I have promised my family I am going to do after December.

Yes my business is my income, but I need a life to enjoy this income ;)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Don't work Sundays if I can help it. I tend Not to answer emails over the weekend either. I'm in my office between 8 and 12 hours every day so need some time off.

[JTRS]

I don't take a day off but I do take mornings off

JTRS

[Twinspin]

Office hours id say would be the best way. So people arent calling you at unsociable hours 9:00pm at the very latest. Any time after that id say was unsociable hours.

[JDB Entertainment]

I don't take a day off and even when I was away on holiday I answered my phone and also replied to emails.

I suppose I don't want to miss out on work and yes okay I may be mad, but still being a full timer and very new compared to some of you I want to take every opportunity and make my company grow!

[Steve the DJ]

Sunday is my day off. All calls are left for the answer-machine and I leave all emails till the Monday morning.

+1

Although I occasionally answer emails after the kids have gone to bed.

[Excalibur]

This weekend, I decided to take a couple of days off and I didn't even turn the computer on, and it was BLISS!
So, what about you? Do you have specific days off, do you just take a day here or there ad hoc, or do you work every day unless you're actually away on holiday?

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? Angela, didn't you know that a computer can also be used for relaxation? :confused: :D :D

I have no set times for work and play, often Sunday can be the busiest day of the week with the day job. If there's work to be done, it has to be done. However, since there aren't set times, it is often possible to have time off as necessary.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I think there are other things to be taken into consideration on this too, such as whether you are full or part time, whether you have a partner and family and how long you've been established.

[simon1969]

I think there are other things to be taken into consideration on this too, such as whether you are full or part time, whether you have a partner and family and how long you've been established.

Exactly Darren!!
And I don't have a day off as I'm trying to establish myself in these parts so phone is always answered.

[djdave01]

I always answer the phone when it rings, everyday. Ive had quite a few enquirys on a Sunday. In my experience, if you dont answer the phone when a client calls, they rarely leave a message and you'll miss out on the gig.

Emails are forwarded to my mobile, any enquirys are replied to straight away.

Even on my recent holiday, i checked on emails at least once a day.

Maybe the DJ's with other jobs can afford to risk losing gigs, but this is my full time job and need at least 2 gigs a week to pay the bills.

[Shaun]

Maybe the DJ's with other jobs can afford to risk losing gigs, but this is my full time job and need at least 2 gigs a week to pay the bills.

This is my full time job too, I still need family time. The 'wife' works full time all week, I DJ at weekends, so the only time we can do anything as a family is on a Sunday. If I lose out on a job because the enquirer wont leave a mesage then that's the price I have to pay.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

This is my full time job too, I still need family time. The 'wife' works full time all week, I DJ at weekends, so the only time we can do anything as a family is on a Sunday. If I lose out on a job because the enquirer wont leave a mesage then that's the price I have to pay.

Agreed. :)

[Jason]

I have a busy day job (which is now piling on the pressure), so also have lots to do in the evenings/weekends.

When I do have time-off the day job, I do try not to actively do any DJing work (ie emails/meetings etc). If the phone rings, or I have a voicemail, I'll reply and gather some details and quote the following day.
I'll also try to ensure I have no bookings, so I can really relax.

The best thing to do, is to actually get out the house, so its a bit harder to do any real work.
But as a businessman, its very difficult to fully switch off. I normally do little work on Sunday - and pop to my local for a few drinks with friends in the afternoon.

Its also worth prioritising work. Enquires need rapid response (so I now have a few templates that I customise to speed up the process), but sending PAT/PLI details to venues do no need to be done on your day off, nor does purchasing music.

Its not healthy to work hard 7 days a week, and also then DJ in the evenings, and this lifestyle can result in a poorer service to clients.

[simonp]

This is my full time job too, I still need family time. The 'wife' works full time all week, I DJ at weekends, so the only time we can do anything as a family is on a Sunday. If I lose out on a job because the enquirer wont leave a mesage then that's the price I have to pay.

Snap for 95% of Sunday's, however if we're in and I'm 'pottering' around whilst making Sunday dinner I will answer emails (whilst watching whatever match is on) ,if any come in or are outstanding from Saturday - I did actually take two bookings last Sunday, (although it is rare for me to get an enquiry to close on a Sunday, unless at a Wedding Fayre which is where I am this Sunday).

[DazzyD]

I don't take on work Saturday and Sunday daytimes any more as this my time with the kids. But I don't really have a set day off. It's pretty much an ad-hoc thing with me.


I cant actually remember getting any enquries on a sunday?

I had two enquiries last Sunday within 30mins of each other. One, a woman whose wedding I'd done a while ago and her sister wanted me for engagement, booked straight away. The other I'm still waiting on.

[djdave01]

This is my full time job too, I still need family time. The 'wife' works full time all week, I DJ at weekends, so the only time we can do anything as a family is on a Sunday. If I lose out on a job because the enquirer wont leave a mesage then that's the price I have to pay.

Hi Shaun

Little different for me as the wife only works part time, so we have midweek days for family time, but i still transfer calls to the mobile & will reply to emails if we're out.

We were out today for 3 hours, in that time i took 2 school bookings and had a third enquiry.

[Gary (GDK)]

I normally take the local football derby off (SAFC vs NEWC)

Glad I didn't this time round.

Usually once a week on one of the Miss GDK day off I screen calls and leave emails till the next day.

I state I will reply to all emails within 24 hours to.

[CRAZY K]

We've discussed times of the day that we'll answer phones / reply to emails - even what we do with the business whilst we're on holiday, but I can't recall us ever discussing whether anyone has a specified day of the week off (ie a day that you are 'closed').

We don't have a specific day off, and I do find that I end up doing something every day (if I'm not away) - which really isn't a good thing long term, because unless I'm away on holiday, I end up not having any time off whatsoever (although some days I do work more than others, obviously).

This weekend, I decided to take a couple of days off and I didn't even turn the computer on, and it was BLISS!

So, what about you? Do you have specific days off, do you just take a day here or there ad hoc, or do you work every day unless you're actually away on holiday?

Work every day when its busy--take 2 or 3 Holidays a year.

Great idea -----until Netbooks in Hotels/WIFI were invented.

Now I work on Holiday as well:eek: :eek: :eek:

Still in 2011 being in the Cocktail Bar in Aruba ( Caribbean ) and Thailand is going to be a nice working environment :beer1: :beer1: :beer1:

Especially when the weather here is :Censored: