As a consultant, I too need to balance clients’ needs, and my bottom line, with the desire to take time off to vacation with my family. What I’ve done thus far is a combination of several of your suggestions.
I tell clients in advance (and remind them) when I plan to be on travel or otherwise unavailable. Most times, I take my laptop with me and work a few hours (or many hours if deadlines are pressing), but sometimes I simply decide that I will not do any work while away.
In almost all cases, I tally all the hours I would have worked (but didn’t) during my time away, and schedule those before and/or after the trip.
Currently, I’m working on developing online courses that will allow me to stop selling my time and start getting compensated for the difference I make for clients.
That will allow me to reduce my consulting hours substantially so my bottom line doesn’t require that I work longer hours to make up for hours missed while away.
