4 Steps to Actually Taking Time OFF as a Business Owner

As a small business owner, sometimes business gets in the way of truly taking time for yourself.

I’m often reminding clients and friends that a huge part of the reason they started their own business in the first place was for the freedom it could provide. Being chained to your business non-stop, 24 hours a day, is not freedom!!

Your family needs to spend quality time with you for those relationships to be nurtured. Plus, studies have shown that you are more effective, creative and productive after taking time off!

So with Christmas lingering around the corner, I’m giving you 4 specific steps you can implement now, so that you can not only enjoy the holidays of 2015, but make time for yourself in 2016 too!

Step 1

Prioritize Time Off

When you know that taking breaks are vital to your health, success and happiness, you have to start treating them as a priority.

If you need some justification in order to prioritize taking time off, here’s a few good reasons. Time off has been proven to:

Reduce stress
Refresh your creativity
Increase your productivity when you return

Clinical psychologist Francine Lederer observes, “most people have better life perspective and are more motivated to achieve their goals after a vacation.” Lederer calls the impact of breaks on mental health “profound.”

What do I mean by prioritize? Plan ahead and get it on your calendar.

Prioritizing your time off will also allow you to build a different relationship with your business and your clients. You will naturally develop relationships with clients who appreciate (and respect) your need to go away.

Step 2

Set Boundaries

Decide if you will be checking in, checking email or responding, etc. If you need time completely away, or will be traveling, be sure your team knows that you won’t be reachable. Be confident that things are handled so that you can respect the boundaries you set.

Step 3

Prepare and Delegate

Be certain that your systems are in place so that your business does not suffer while you’re away. This means that if you have a team, they understand the order of priorities and how to keep the business running while you’re not there. Consider assigning one person to be the single point of contact for you in case of a true emergency, and route all calls and emails through them.

If you are a solopreneur, this means having your “out of office” email messages setup so that your clients and vendors know that you’re away (and whether you’ll be checking your email/voicemail) – and when you will be back.

Step 4

Pick a Slow Time

One of the best ways to ensure that you can relax during your vacation is to pick a time that is naturally slow for your business. Plan it in advance based on your historically slow times of the year. This will allow you to worry less, and possibly do less planning in order to take your well-deserved break!

Now you’re armed and ready to take time off for 2016!

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Kristi Brown

Co-Founder at Significantly Successful

Creativity Consultant, Sales & Marketing Strategist
/krēāˈtivədē/ /kuh n-suhl-tnt/
Noun: An energetic native Floridian with a passion for smart, authentic, imaginative, effective marketing strategies and original ideas.
Synonyms: Netflix Junkie, Cockapoo mom, crazy aunt, world traveler, foodie.