Hello !
So you started your own business and you are busier than you ever imagined you would be. Your business is a success and you are making a nice profit. There is only one problem. You haven't had a vacation in 3 years or more!
When you started your business, it required much more than 40 hours a week. You worked days, nights and weekends to build your client base and perfect your product or service. You did everything yourself. You had a desire to succeed!
Unfortunately, what often happens, is we get used to the new normal of working 60 - 80 hours a week. Even if the business is rocking along
and doing well, we become fearful of taking a few days off because we don't know if our business will survive without us.
In reality, the growth and survival of your business depend on you taking some time off work. Your health and well-being depend on you taking time off too!
According to the World Health Organization, working 55 hours or more
per week is hazardous to your health. If you don't voluntarily take time off work, there is a strong likelihood you will be forced to take time off due to fatigue or a serious illness.
The scary stuff aside, there are many benefits to taking time off work...
- Overwork and tight scheduling leads to stress which kills creativity. Taking a few days off will get those creative juices
going again. You'll come back to work with great ideas to help move the business forward.
- You get more done. Your productivity increases as you prepare to leave work behind for a few days.
- Taking time off work improves personal relationships especially with those who are closest to you.
- You will feel less like a prisoner to your business if you take pre-planned time off work.
- Your family will thank you... they miss you.
So how do you set yourself up to be successful at planning and taking time off work? First of all, you have to believe it is possible. Changing your mindset is critical to making this happen. Instead of looking for excuses why you can't take time off, start looking for the possibilities.
Here are a few tips you can use to make time for yourself:
- Put it on the calendar! In January, schedule your holidays and vacations for the rest of the year. My guess is you put all your business meetings on a calendar, so use that same system to carve out time for yourself.
- Make and confirm plans with family and friends. You are less likely to back out when others will be disappointed.
- Purchase hotel stays and airfare ahead of time. If it costs you money to back out of something, you are
more likely to take the trip.
- Automate as much as you can at work. Use the out of office feature on your email. Pre-schedule social media posts. Automate bill paying.
- Let your clients know in advance the dates you will be gone. Give them a deadline to give projects to you if they want them finished before you go on vacation.
Make your downtime a priority. It is as
critical to your business success, health, happiness, and peace of mind as anything else you do.
I specialize in working with entrepreneurs and leaders to solve time management issues. Contact me to schedule a no obligation call to explore how coaching might benefit you and your business.
