Why I take the summer off, the benefits of taking time off, and my tips on how to do it regularly as a business owner.
We are leaving for Europe this week & I’m taking time off work. What!!!?! As a digital business owner, our hours get all kinds of blurred. I know this to be true in so many ways.
Whether it’s positive, as a business owner, I can call it quits whenever I am tired.
Or, more likely, in the negative: that we are late on a deadline and staying up all hours to catch up. Maybe even working through the weekend to finish an important project.
Taking time off can feel more like a luxury on some days than a realistic idea you can put into practice today. Let me encourage you, though, that taking this time will in fact help you to be MORE PRODUCTIVE and get MORE DONE than if you didn’t take the time. I’ve learned that over the years, owning multiple businesses, and it has held true in every one of them.
Here are the ways taking time off will help you to be a better business owner in the long run.
Taking Time Off Will Give You New Creativity
Taking time away from the computer will help you gain new and even better creativity when you step back into it.
Seeing people, events, art, décor, etc., in real life inspires you to be creative and create that type of content.
When I was a DIY blogger, I always said I got my best ideas while crafting for fun!
This is true of any endeavor – when you step away and do something different, it will give you more creativity for the important work you do, not less.
Better Focus When you are working
It has been proven that taking time away from work increases your productivity.
While this is not the end or purpose of taking time off, it is a wonderful benefit! This is true both of taking small breaks (I like to think of them as momentary vacations during the day) and of taking bigger breaks throughout your working year.
Inspiration for future work
Who has had the experience of inspiration or a solution to a complex problem hitting them at that crazy moment when they’re not working? Remember Jack calling this the shower principle?
It’s the idea that when we step away and engage in something other than work… say take a walk, a shower, or a car ride – and give the other side of our brain time to breathe, it can be the best thing for solving the issue and moving forward with the work at hand.
Meeting others who could help your work
Being digital business owners by nature means we spend a lot of our time glued to our computers, phones, camera screens, etc. This is great for getting work done, but it can miss a HUGE part of what makes us successful.
Our interaction and engagement with others in our industry, like meeting other bloggers at a blogging conference or engaging with other artists at an art show, will do more for our future success than you can imagine!
These interactions give us some of the best opportunities for growth as business owners and would be completely missed if we don’t step away from the work every now and then.
Plus, being able to set my schedule is a huge reason I love doing what I do. So my encouragement is to take the trip, join the club, go to the event, and watch as your work is even better for it.
Here are a few practical ways to take time off.
Yearly: The Great Escape
Exotic Entrepreneurial Expeditions
Vacation, darling! And by vacation, I don’t mean working remotely from a beach in Bali. No laptops, no emails! The world is your oyster, pick your pearl and immerse yourself in a fresh culture, mouth-watering cuisine and breathtaking landscapes. Who knows, you might even come back with a dazzling new business idea!
Business Not-as-Usual Conferences
Attend a fun and enlightening conference related to your industry, or maybe not related at all! Why not indulge in a Yoga retreat or a gourmet cooking workshop? Get inspired and come back to your business with a fresh perspective.
Radical Refresh Retreat
Designate an entire week to a staycation. No travels, just blissful quietness, a stack of books you’ve been meaning to read, those lovely pampering bubble baths, and the joy of doing absolutely nothing.
Weekly: The Refresh Routine
Sensational Sundays
Make it a sacred, non-negotiable rule. No work on Sundays! Whether you spend the day sipping mimosas at brunch, going for a hike in the great outdoors or having a movie marathon at home, make sure your Sunday is all about fun and relaxation.
Wondrous Work-outs
It’s no secret that working out releases happy hormones! Schedule at least three workouts in your week – whether that’s a Zumba class, a scenic run or dancing like no one’s watching in your living room.
Friend-zy Fridays
Don’t let your friendships slide while you’re conquering the world! Set a standing date for a Friday night dinner, movie or a fun outing with your squad. I have a standing after school pickup happy hour with a friend, and it’s such a fun way to wind down and end the week well. Laugh, unwind, and do what you do to celebrate the end of a successful week. Knowing you have this to look forward to will help your end of week be productive and fun!
Daily: The Magic Minutes
Morning Marvels
Start the day on your terms. Enjoy a cup of your favorite brew, meditate, journal, dance around in your PJs, or just take a leisurely stroll around the block. Do something you love before plunging into the workday.
Break-time Bliss
Schedule breaks throughout your day. A fun phone call with mom, a quick social media scroll (cute cat videos, anyone?), or simply stepping outside for a breath of fresh air. Little breaks like this can recharge your creativity and productivity for the rest of the day.
Bedtime Beauties
Create a relaxing pre-bedtime ritual. A cup of chamomile tea, a captivating novel, a binge show or a skincare routine you adore. Even a few mindful deep breaths after putting the kids in bed will make the last few minutes of your day about soothing your body and mind and not about the grind.
Remember, you’re the rockstar entrepreneur of your life! Taking time off is not just about relaxation, it’s also about rejuvenating your mind, sparking creativity and most importantly, embracing the beautiful, multi-faceted, powerhouse woman you are! Work hard, rest harder!