03 Jun You Need A Break!
You are a Rockstar! But you are not superhuman. Sorry if you are hearing this for the first time. But so many business owners that I meet feel like they have to work super long hours and on weekends to build their business. YOU NEED A BREAK!
What are the reasons for not taking a vacation? Afraid your business will fail without you? You need to be training your replacement, even if you are the owner and founder of the company. Hire people you trust and give them the opportunity to prove they can run the business when you are absent.
One of the rules I have always followed is to vacation in the slow seasons. In media, things slow down around the July 4th holiday and between Christmas and New Year’s Day. I usually plan my vacation time around these dates. I have one person on my team that I put in charge when I am gone, and they have permission to text me in extreme emergences. Then I unplug. I stop thinking about the office and I focus on building memories with my wife and kids.
In fact, some of my best ideas for the company have come after I have unplugged for a week.
When I get back to the office, I find I have a fresh perspective on the business. In fact, some of my best ideas for the company have come after I have unplugged for a week.
Perhaps your reason for not taking a vacation is financial. The good news is, you can take an amazing vacation on a budget.
“Now that things are opening back up, you’re going to see tremendous bargains coming at you from all angles on travel,” says Kristen Hagopian, author of Brilliant Frugal Living, and host of The Kristen Hagopian Show. “One of the biggest money-saving tips is to pick a destination that does not require air travel. You’ve just cut your spending in half!”
Kristen also recommends paying cash for your vacations. “If you have a fabulous credit card that gives you travel points, feel free to use it. But set that budget and stick to it, so when the bill comes in the next month you can pay it all off in full.”
Beyond a vacation, you can take mental breaks every week. I confess, it is hard for me to unplug during the week. My iPhone likes to remind me of my work. But as a rule, I do not work on Sundays. That is my one day where I walk away from my phone and let my body and mind rest from the stress. Monday mornings are so much easier for me, because I took time to rest.
It does not have to be on Sunday, but I believe the mind was created to need a day off. For you that might be working in the yard or taking the boat out on the lake. Bottom line, you need a day to stop thinking about what needs to be done in your business and rest.
And if you are really stressed, take a mental health day. YOU NEED A BREAK!
One final thought on taking time away… Your staff needs the same mental break from the office. Sometimes they don’t feel they have the freedom to do so, so it’s your job to make sure you create a culture that encourages the time away. Trust me, in the long run they will be more loyal to your company and better employees.
Scott Miller is the CEO of Centerpost Media and host of the Create, Build and Manage Radio Show and Podcast. You can find Scott on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter via “@scottmillerceo.” Centerpost Media is a marketing agency with a vision to help every business they encounter with their media needs by providing outstanding quality, service and value. Centerpost Media is the parent company to BizTV, BizTalkRadio, BizTalkPodcasts and Bizvod.