If you’re not answering yes to my question about booking time off work, be prepared for some ass-kicking. Running a business may take up much of your time, but it’s not who or what you are. You’re a person who not only needs regular breaks but also deserves them.
As this year ends and the next comes closer, burnouts are common. We’re tired from filling our customer’s orders and our families are often exhausted. Grumpiness, anger, sadness, worries and a lack of motivation are all common. This leaves many of us feeling like the worst parents or the Christmas grinch, in that we are not physically or mentally able to BE THERE for our family and friends.
Life doesn’t have to be like this though, and that’s why I’m telling you to make booking time off or switching off for work needs to be one of your top priorities.
How Booking Time Off From Work Benefits Everyone
It may be scary, seem impossible or worry you hugely, but booking time off from your business gives you so many benefits, including:
- Being able to reset – ever noticed how it is hard to shut your brain off at times? Time away from work gives your mind the space it needs to reset and function more effectively.
- Achieving a better work-life balance – you need a life outside of your business to be able to function well.
- Improving relationships – you’re not a superhero, so you can’t do everything. When running a business, other things will slip and that is often our relationships. Taking time out will let you focus upon and grow these relationships.
- Better headspace – how we feel about ourselves and life, in general, is impacted upon by our headspace or moods. Having a break lets us think about other things besides work, increasing our focus and helping to improve our emotional well-being.
If your next question is how on earth do you arrange to take time off from your business, I’ve got you covered with how next.
How to Take Time Away From Your Business & Survive
Regardless of how you feel, your business can technically run without you if you put things into place before taking leave. You can let your customers or clients know that you are taking a break, and will be able to help them once you return. Or you could hire someone to work in your place, which will require you to have created a procedure manual for them to work from.
You do have the power to decide when to take time off from running your business. It makes sense though, to do so when times are quiet or your family need you most. Usually, this means you plan a few months in advance, letting your customers know and putting things into place to keep things going along business-wise.
Once you have set your dates and organised the cover for your business (staff or closed till a set date), take it off! Disengage from work, connect with your family and enjoy your time off!