Taking Vacation Time Soon? Use It Wisely.

Most everyone enjoys taking time off during the holiday season to enjoy friends and family, reflect on the current year and plan for the new one. Along with time for good company, great food and lots (and lots!) of presents, holiday vacation is a terrific time to ponder your professional life.

It’s an even better time to seriously consider whether you’re ready to say goodbye to your boss to become your own boss! Here’s why.

Work slows to a trickle. How many times have you taken a vacation yet still found yourself working several hours a day? That’s because, for 11 months out of the year, everyone is taking time off at different intervals. You may be on vacation, but your professional circles aren’t. That all changes in December, when research shows as many as 32 percent of employees take the entire week between December 24 and January 1 off of work. With fewer distractions from the office, you have a much better chance to separate yourself from the office and concentrate on you.

You’re surrounded by people invested in you. The holidays are the biggest draw for large family gatherings in the United States. Certainly, you’ll be seeing people who could help you along on your journey. You have family members who are already entrepreneurs. You have friends who also serve as mentors. You have loved ones who are great at listening and others you trust for good advice. Instead of the same old small talk around the bowl of eggnog, strike up a conversation about your lifestyle goals and dreams and let your network help you work towards them.

The new year is a time for change. The world has already determined the annual change of the calendar to be an appropriate time to take on a new challenge, so you’re probably already being nudged in that direction. Your social circles will be bubbling with excitement about what everyone is tackling in 2018, so it’s a great time to join in the conversation with your news about exploring entrepreneurship.

You’re not the only one considering a change. If they haven’t given you indication already, your boss is making changes in the new year as well. They have ideas on how to move their company forward and those plans may not sound good to you. Change in the workplace is inherently difficult, but when that change results in work that makes you feel more stressed and less satisfied, it is comforting to know you’re working towards a better future for you and your family.

In the season of giving, there is no better gift to give than a new direction for you and your family. Small-business owners are reportedly 77 percent happier than the average employee. They are in control of their lives and their destinies. They have created a situation of unlimited earnings potential. They aren’t just a cog in the machine, they are creating jobs for others, contributing to their communities, securing their family’s future and crafting a legacy. The pursuit of small-business ownership is a gift that can bring you and your family joy for several lifetimes.

If you’re ready to begin your journey, give me a call.

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