Need A Break from your Business?

This is a great question and is one that comes up often with my coaching clients. The answer will widely vary based upon the type of business you operate, the industry you are in, your business model, client expectations, confidence in the team (if you have one), business system accessibility (cloud-based, laptop life-style or tethered to the office), to name just a few!

With all of that said, here is a rather general answer that I can provide, based upon what I do in regards to taking time off and vacationing.

I'll start by saying if you are a solopreneur or operate with a small team (5 or under) chances are taking 100% dedicated time off over an extended period of time is probably not in the cards. For me, it has taken 8 years to get to a point where just this year I was able to take a week off with minimal business distraction an that's only because I now have a team with systems and processes in place to allow me to do it!

In any case, this often ties right along with the whole "Work-Life Balance" conversation. As a business owner, you can forget the "balance", let's throw that out the door. In responding to your business, clients, and family's needs as an owner, there is no real way to "balance " between the two in terms of balancing the hours of time spent.

Instead, the focus should be on intent and action while under the umbrella of planning and organization to go "All-In" during the work portion parts of your day, and Family/Vacation parts.

If you truly want to take say a week off to travel or get away from work, it all starts with a plan. A plan for you, a plan for the family members you are taking time with, a plan for the team you are leaving behind and of course, a plan for your clients.

Each and every day, devote a specific time and window to check and respond to emails and calls while leaving your team with specific actionable items that they can handle in your absence. Create the plan for success to be had by all! Your team will then know the expectations while you are not in the office, your clients will understand your availability schedule and your family (or those you are taking time to spend with) will know your business priorities and schedule.

Then, go "All In' in those windows of time against your action plan to establish a win-win situation for everyone.

With a plan in place and commitment to going "All In" in the moments you have allocated to both time and family, you can now have a piece of mind in knowing that your business, clients, family and most importantly, yourself are set for success during your time away :)