Is this the year that you unplug and take a vacation from your business?
For many entrepreneurs and business owners taking any time off triggers separation anxiety.
Fears begin to surface such as losing business or emergencies arising with no one available to manage.
Furthermore, a 2014 report published by ADT found that 55% of small business owners never travel without their phone so that they can check in on the business while they’re on vacation.
The Real Reason Entrepreneurs Don’t Take a Vacation from Their Business
Recently I read a blog post by Barbara Taylor, Allan Taylor & Co., “The Real Reason Entrepreneurs Don’t Take Vacations.”
She states in her post that the real reason entrepreneurs don’t take vacations is that we have forgotten how. She calls this vacation amnesia.
Start Up Phase
During the startup phase of building our business vacation plans often get pushed off for financial reasons. Budgets are tight and priorities are focused on growing the business during this stage.
Growth Phase
The next growth stage of business presents new obstacles to taking a vacation. The busyness of a growing company requires your presence for everything to run smoothly.
Barbara goes on to point out that during this phase your business is experiencing some serious growing pains.
These pains most likely revolve around the need for you to hire good managers and delegation. Even if you’re able to take a vacation during this phase your recess is interrupted by emails and phone calls.
Maturity Phase
Even after the business has reached maturity, some business owners still have trouble taking the much needed time off to unplug, relax and enjoy their success.
They find identity in their creation; the business is their baby. It’s a mindset thing. By the time the business has reached this level the business owner finds it very hard to mentally “check-out” to take a vacation.
Some will go ahead and take a vacation, then manage the anxiety they feel by taking their laptops and phones with them and constantly to do check-ins.
Why all business owners should take a vacation from their business
We all need time to recharge our batteries, especially entrepreneurs and business owners.
We carry a lot of weight on our shoulders each day to carry out tasks, decisions, and activities designed to feed and nurture a successful business.
Most business owners feel overwhelmed, over-worked and stressed in their business and just on the verge of burnout.
It’s easy to understand all excuses touted for not taking much-needed rest and relaxation from the daily grind of running a business.
But, here’s the thing
When you don’t schedule opportunities to unplug from the day-to-day you're actually putting your business at risk.
Business growth depends on YOU!
You're the leader and CEO and like any other business strategy designed to create growth, you must maintain a healthy balance between work and play.
My story
I never took time off to unplug from my business in the initial start-up years.
Like you...
I feared what would happen if I took my foot off the pedal, even for a day.
- I wanted my clients to know I was there for them.
- What if I missed out on new business?
There was no balance between work and play. There were no boundaries.
I reasoned there was plenty of time for relaxing once I felt in control in everything in my business.
Let me tell you...
There will never be plenty of time later on. You only have today.
I burned out. I was on the verge of making the decision to close up shop and get a "real" job! I know you understand that feeling only too well.
After 10 years of business ownership, I learned...
Schedule time off. Whether it's a mental health day, long weekend or 2-week vacation. Like Nike says, just DO IT!
When I take time away from my daily routine and responsibilities I'm always pleasantly surprised by the results.
Studies show that productivity dips after logging 50 hours in a single workweek.
You’re not putting your best foot forward when you’re routinely sacrificing downtime for perceived productivity.
Are You Ready to Take a Vacation from Your Business?
You created a business to gain freedom from your work and life.
The paradox is that you're most likely not experiencing that freedom while constantly plugged into your business.
Good news!!!
If you’re in the growth stage of your business (multiple 6-7 figures) it’s possible to have the time, freedom and security you need to unplug from your business when needed.
It's time to hire a seasoned and trusted second-in-command (Virtual COO) role to release you from the day-to-day running and back-end concerns of your business.
The Virtual COO role in your company ensures that you have the time and freedom you need to grow your business.
This second-in-command role frees you from being buried in the "back-end" of day-to-day operations, team, projects, and marketing implementation that keeps you stuck to your office and devices.
When my clients are away from their office they enjoy the freedom of not worrying about what is going on when they're away.
The Virtual COO role in your company ensures that you have the time and freedom you need to grow your business.
This second-in-command role frees you from being buried in the "back-end" of day-to-day operations, team, projects, and marketing implementation that keeps you stuck to your office and devices.
When my clients are away from their office they enjoy the freedom of not worrying about what is going on when they're away.
They relax knowing that things will not fall apart in their absence.
Their customers and clients continue to be happy, revenue continues to flow in, teams and projects stay on track and there are systems and processes to address unexpected disruptions.
Together we plan and schedule to plug-in events, days off and vacations as far in advance as possible into the quarterly and annual goals.
They're free to unplug (even partially) and be fully present where ever they are, knowing that I've got their back.
Read Related Post: Who's Holding Down Your Fort? This post shares with you how one of my clients was able to be away from her office 33 times in one year with my support as her Virtual COO.
Is this you?
Is this the year that you'll finally consider unplugging and take a vacation from your business?You'll be a happier, more balanced and focused business owner when you do.
Please leave me a comment below to let me know how long it's been since you took a vacation.