Recharging: Entrepreneurship & the Importance of Taking Time to Be...

Inspired.

Visionary.

Thoughtful.

Mindful.

Passionate.

As entrepreneurs, we often work at any hour of the day to bring our ideas to life. We work 24/7 because it never feels like work. It often feels natural to work and create, as though it's our life's purpose. We may struggle to pause and reflect.

Over the past 15+ years as an entrepreneur, I've learned the lesson that taking a break is essential to refuel our work as entrepreneurs and as leaders. While our daily routines may include reading, practicing mindfulness, and exploring visionary ideas, that's not enough. Taking time away from the business can create inspiration and give us the opportunity to ideate and be more visionary.

5 Tips for Recharging as an Entrepreneur

1. Consider the benefits to the organization: When we step away from the business, we create the opportunity for others to thrive in their roles and assume new and important responsibility and accountability. We give them an opportunity to learn.
2. Block time in your calendar: Each July, our team knows my schedule permits limited meetings as I step away -- often for travel related to work in the education space. They're aware of the impact on them and respect this time in my calendar.
3. Do something you love and that inspires you: It's remarkable to have time to work on a personal goal or to reward yourself. Yet, we may infrequently take time to do things that we love (learn a language and travel to a new country, finally take time to go on a yoga retreat, tackle that stack of books on your nightstand). Take the time to work on it now.
4. Do something that makes you uncomfortable: As entrepreneurs, we're familiar with taking risks. We function well in the unknown. What's one thing that makes you uncomfortable that you can work on during a mini-sabbatical?
5. Take time to acknowledge meaningful people in your life: We are often caught up in the busy-ness of work and may not always take the time to express gratitude to significant people in our lives. Make a list of 5 people you would like to thank and take the time to reach out to them during this time.

By taking the time to recharge, we give ourselves the gift of renewed focus and visionary thinking. 

Join in on the conversation and share your thoughts via comments: What additional tips do you include when you take this time for yourself? What difference do mini-sabbaticals make for you?

______________________________________________________________

Kristina Scala is the Founder and President of Aspen Academy (an innovative and award-winning private school in Greenwood Village, CO), Aspen Youth Leadership Institute, Aspen Entrepreneurial Institute, Aspen Academy Investment Fund, Bear’s Student Enterprises, and MODI. Scala is a thoughtful and creative leader, passionate entrepreneur, enthusiastic educator and master facilitator who presents on topics of education and personal, leadership, entrepreneurial, and parenting development. She works to inspire and motivate people to live a purposeful and authentic life through being kind, doing good, and making the world better through what we think, say, and do.