I’ll soon be thinking about returning to work after taking a long break. My maternity leave will be over and I’ll need to build up my work load again.

This isn’t the first time I’ve had to do this. I did it back in 2013 after having my first child. I was blessed to be able to take the full nine months maternity leave with that one, but with this one I’ll be returning to work just three months after the birth.

I’m not begrudging it, though, as I love my jobs. I’m also in a position where I can mostly work from home, so I don’t have to worry about childcare.

But I do need to make sure there is a plan in place. It’s important anyone has a plan in place when they’re returning to work after a long break, whatever the reason. Here are my top three tips to help you get in order.

Start a Month in Advance

When you freelance, you need to start getting ahead. That means booking things a month in advance.

But how do you do that when you know you can’t work? Start by putting out feelings. Let your previous clients know that you’re returning and inform them of the date. Put out a message on your social media channels that you’re taking orders for the following month. Don’t be afraid to contact people who had been previously interested to let them know you’re working again.

It will take some time to get the news out that you’re returning. For some it will take longer than for others. By starting a month in advance, you give yourself that time to get the news out.

Plan Your Diary

It’s important to look at your diary to make sure you can fit everything you want and need in. Do you have appointments that you can’t miss or events that you must attend to help get you back in the swing of things?

Take a look at days that you want to take off, and any personal events that you have coming up. This will help you when it comes to taking your orders. You’ll be able to give a clear deadline to individuals and discuss project needs in full.

Planning your diary before returning to work is also a good way to make sure you can fit your personal projects in. As a freelance writer, you will have your own blogs to attend to, as well as other ways of making money online. You may be involved in affiliate marketing or video blogging. It’s important to have time for these projects.

Look Out for Networking Events

Networking events are extremely powerful, especially when you’re returning to work after a long break. There will be people looking for bloggers and others looking for social media experts. You’ll also get the chance to talk to other writers to find out how they coped after taking a long break.

Now is the time to look out for these networking events. You can then pop them in your diary and make your work fit around them.

Not all networking events will suit you. Some will be free while others will involved overnight accommodation and travel. Be sensible in the ones that you book yourself onto to make sure you really can attend them and they will be helpful.

It’s not impossible to take a long break and then return. You won’t necessary return where you left off, though. One thing you need to do is make sure you plan ahead and be ready for opportunities that come your way.