The Life-Changing Magic of Taking a 30-Day Summer Holiday

Hey there, my fellow achievers! This Monday is my first day back after our annual ‘30-day Summer Vacay,” this year spent in Turkey, France and Germany with our kiddos.

The secret sauce that has transformed my life and business is the art of taking time off (without guilt).? When I was 28, I set the goal of being able to take a 30-day holiday to Southeast Asia before I turned 30.? With my first consulting firm just 5 years old at this point, it seemed like a pipe dream. I knew I’d have to prepare the team and business to run without me, which meant making some pretty big changes.

It's not just about lounging on sandy beaches (although that's part of it). It's about replenishing my energy, gaining fresh perspectives, and unleashing the power within me. So buckle up, because I'm about to take you on a journey you won't forget!

I rallied my team, set clear objectives, and delegated like a boss. By empowering my rockstar team, I ensured the business could thrive without me, allowing me to chase my wanderlust without worry.

My husband and I took a 30-day trip to explore the vibrant cultures of Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, and Vietnam. We wandered the mystical temples in Angkor Wat, devoured mouthwatering street food in Bangkok, went diving in the Similan Islands, and fed baby elephants in Phuket. We ate crab with the locals in Singapore (still my favorite meal of all time), made friends in Vietnam and spent our days savoring the fullness of life. The experiences ignited my creativity, expanded my horizons, and brought me home ready and raring to go!

As fate would have it, right before my trip, I discovered I was pregnant. Talk about a plot twist! Unfortunately, my little one arrived ten weeks early, weighing only two and a half pounds. Suddenly, my world shifted, nothing at work mattered and I camped out in the NICU for the next seven weeks. And, you know what? Because I had prepared my business to run like a well-oiled machine, I could focus entirely on my son's well-being without worrying about work.

Friends, let me just say this: our businesses should serve us, not the other way around. They should contribute to our lives, not consume them.?

That's why it's crucial to build a business that can thrive in our absence. By nurturing a team that's equipped to handle the ship when we're away, we reclaim our freedom and create the space to focus on what truly matters – our lives and our loved ones. It's a game-changer not just for the quality of your life, but for the quality of your work.?

Let's talk science. Harvard and various studies have repeatedly shown the incredible benefits of taking time off. It boosts productivity, sparks creativity, and enhances our mental well-being. It's not about slacking off; it's about recharging our batteries and bringing our A-game to the table. You’re more likely to deliver stellar results when you take quality time off! So, I give you permission to let go of your guilt and embrace the transformative power of time off.

As you become more successful, the secret to unlocking your full potential is rarely addition (doing more) but rather subtraction (doing less). If you’re a Grade A (recovering) perfectionist control freak like me, this may sound outlandish, but I assure you it’s not. It’s for the greater good – yours, your family's, your team and certainly your clients.

If we’re not careful, our stories convince us that more work is the answer and more hours will fix things.? Stress, anxiety, overwhelm and ultimately burnout follow. Too often, we tell ourselves a host of stories to perpetuate this belief system rather than getting clear about what’s not working and holding ourselves accountable to address those issues.?

When you take time to do things that inspire and elevate you, you’re doing your most important work of all. Trust me, you'll come back stronger, wiser, and ready to conquer the world.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to prepare your business for an annual 30-day Summer Vacay of your own. If it seems daunting or impossible, I assure you that’s your brain kicking in with stories designed to keep things the way they are (change is scary, especially the idea of taking a month off).?

A great way to counter our inner stories is with curiosity. When you ask better questions, you get better answers.?

When presented with new opportunities, we tend to ask questions like, “How could I ever do that?” The very nature of the question itself is defeating and does nothing to activate your brain's problem-solving center. It suggests this is hard, signaling your brain to find reasons not to try. So instead, ask a better question, one like “What will it take for me to take 30 days off guilt and worry-free knowing the firm is running well and that we’re set up to handle any emergencies that might arise?”??

See the difference? This question triggers your brain's problem solving center and your brain will start looking for answers. When you sit down with your team and ask them what it will take for them to feel confident about your time away, you’ll have a great starting point for work to do to prepare the business for your time away.

Now, go forth and embrace the magic of time off this Summer.?

No limits (and no burnout),

Stephanie

P.S. I’d love to hear your stories about the power of taking time off and the impact it's had on your success and satisfaction. Feel free to email me your shares or questions at [email protected].