Entrepreneurs have a reputation for burning the midnight oil, and with good reason--it takes a lot of time, energy and other resources to make sure your awesome ideas get off the ground and grow into something amazing. But, if you're thinking of skipping your vacation, think again. A break can actually mean a whole lot of improvement in your business and life. I know what you're thinking, I don't have time! I can't leave everything for a week! What about my clients?? Don't worry, we've rounded up a few tips to help you keep your vacay stress-free.
Make a Plan
The more you plan your vacation, the more likely you are to take it. Schedule your time off weeks, or even months, in advance and be sure to tell everyone about it. This works two-fold; people can plan for your absence, and, if you panic and back out at the last minute, you'll be stuck answering everyone's questions of "Aren't you supposed to be away right now?" Who wants to deal with that?
Delegate or Postpone
For each task, including your ordinary day-to-day responsibilities as well as emergency situations that might pop up periodically while you’re gone, decide whether to delegate or postpone your action. To delegate, designate one of your team members to take on the task in your absence. This is a great opportunity to utilize your Virtual Assistant. Haven't hired one yet? Now is the time! To postpone, deem the task “unimportant,” and know that you’ll handle it only once you get back. Once you've determined how tasks will be handled, you should be worry-free for your getaway.
Disconnect
Disconnecting may seem like simple step, but in reality, it's probably the most difficult. Who else is glued to their smartphone? *raises hand* When you’re on vacation, it's your chance to disconnect from the world. Turn off your phone, disconnect your Internet and try not to turn on any of your gadgets. Doing so could serve as a gateway back into worrying about work -- it’s almost unavoidable, and who wants that while you're sipping margaritas under a beach umbrella?
Practice
Ok, if the thought of leaving your business for a week sends you into a full blown panic attack, start with baby steps. Schedule an afternoon off to start; turn off your phone and go to a movie or a museum. Once you’ve become comfortable, try taking a single whole day off every once in a while. From there, you can scale to two-day, three-day or even weeklong vacations and more. Like anything else, you’ll get better with practice and experience.
Being an entrepreneur requires significant dedication, but that doesn't mean you're not entitled to a break. In fact, taking some time off is one of the best things you can do for yourself, your friends and family and, of course, your business. Whether it's a short weekend getaway or a few weeks of deep retreat, going on vacation needs to be on your calendar. The only question now is, where to?