Whether it’s a long weekend or a month-long getaway, every business owner needs to take time off from work. A break from the day-to-day running of the business gives you the opportunity to recharge, come back to work refreshed, and can also boost motivation and creativity.
From our own experience, we understand that taking time off from the business isn’t always so simple. If you’ve moved from employment, you’ll know that running your own business is not a 9-5 job! When you become a business owner, you are responsible for the decisions and for making sure the business continues to function when you are away from it.
It can feel like a challenge to step away from work and switch off, so we’ve pulled together some tips to help you.
How to take time off from work – top tips!
Tip 1 – Plan it into your diary (with plenty of time)
Time off is important is just as important as a client meeting. Get the time booked off in your diary to prevent it from being double booked. If you’re taking more than a few days off, it will need more organisation so start planning ahead with plenty of time.
Tip 2 – Line up the right resource
Do you need resources to cover work whilst you are away? That decision will depend on the size of your business, whether you have employees and how long you are going for. Here’s some resource options you might consider:
- Delegate important tasks to team members or employees (remember to prioritise what must get done or you’ll leave them overloaded)
- Outsource as a short-term contract to a freelancer or agency (depending on the type of work)
- If your business is small enough or the work can wait until you return, close for the time you are away (clearly communicating to customers when you are going to be absent and how this may impact services on your return)
Tip 3 – Communication is the key to success
Communication is essential – to manage the expectations of clients and colleagues but also to have clear boundaries in place so your time off isn’t interrupted. Give plenty of notice (especially if taking several weeks off) about when you will be away and who they can speak to in your absence. It’s important to set your boundaries. If you must, include details of when it is appropriate to contact you i.e. an emergency, but where possible filter these ‘emergencies’ via someone you trust so your peace isn’t disturbed unnecessarily.
Tip 4 – Take a technology detox
If you can, leave technology at home or out of sight. We are so digitally connected that it is hard to disconnect from work even if we are physically not there. Remove work-based apps from your phone or switch off pop-up notifications. If you must ‘check in’ from time-to-time, set clear boundaries for yourself as to when you will do this and for how long. If you are replying to emails, remember that the person you’re contacting may continue the conversation – or be confused thinking you are meant to be not working!
Time away from work is good for you!
We cannot emphasise enough how important it is to take a break from work if you are running your own business. There is no annual leave legislation for you to comply with – you need to take responsibility for looking after yourself.
We hope our tips help you to successfully plan some well-deserved time off! Join in our conversation on LinkedIn or Facebook, we’d love to hear if you’ve visited anywhere exciting.
