The brain of an entrepreneur is like a hamster on a wheel, always going. Your minds are revolving with ideas, deadlines, prospective ventures and ways to improve your business. However, the body is wired for rest and enjoyment; therefore, it is not irresponsible as an entrepreneur to set times for rejuvenation. Though it is peak season, and your business can generate a lot of revenue during this time, the holiday season is a good time for relaxation and recuperation. How then can you ensure that you enjoy this holiday season as a busy and ambitious entrepreneur? In this blog, Entrepreneur Weekly gets into it
Schedule It!
Many of us can relate to the reality that if it’s not in the schedule, it won’t get done. You schedule meetings, drop offs and everything else for your business. Why not ensure that you deliberately set aside a few days this holiday season to avoid everything related to work and business? This is often easier said than done, we know, but taking practical steps such as simply putting it in your calendar and delegating tasks can make your dream of rest a reality.
Racquelle Pakutz, of Zen Freight Solutions Inc. said “Being an entrepreneur isn’t for the faint of heart. Self-care and taking time away from the business is necessary for continued good health and growth. Schedule time in your calendar to step away and focus on your self-care. You are the most important person to continue to develop your dream and share it with others. When you are in a good place, it positively affects those around you.”
Make a Plan
Like scheduling your rest, it’s also useful to plan your time off and what exactly it will entail. As it is the Christmas season, family and friends are high on the list for spending quality time with. It is important to make memories with the ones you love and remind them that your business is not your only priority.
To make this planned time off possible, it is also crucial that you organise your business to facilitate your absence. Ilya Pozin from Forbes Magazine shared this useful and practical tip “Before you leave the office, set up a written action plan for your vacation and make sure everyone on the team is cognisant and comfortable with their roles. This makes the plan easier to consult on a day-to-day basis and frees you from troubleshooting questions about responsibilities.”
Be Deliberate
If you are a Type A entrepreneur that deals with symptoms of perfectionism, this idea of resting and enjoying the holiday might be difficult advice to accept. So, how can you ensure that you are not using your days off to complete tasks? Try and stay off the grid as much as possible. Bryce Welker, Crush the GRE Test encouraged entrepreneurs to also limit their time on social media. He said “There is always something happening online that will remind entrepreneurs of work. So, when you are on vacation, be on vacation. Focus on family and friends and forget about work for a bit—your brain will need the break.”
If you cannot avoid working completely, you can put practical steps in place that at least lessens how much interaction you have with work, like giving yourself a time limit of a 30 minutes to an hour for checking in on calls and emails for things that are urgent.
Another practical way to maximise on your off time is to have a “buffer day” which allows you to regroup before going back in. Forbes Magazine said “There’s nothing like coming back to a dangerously full inbox. The first day back is almost always a game of catchup, so give yourself a buffer between your return and your first day back in the office. Cole suggests you tell your team you’ll be returning to the office a day later than you actually get home.”
Entrepreneur Weekly Break
“Reaching the top requires taking a good break every time you need it! On the way up, you must never hesitate to stop for a while!”- Mehmet Murat ildan. Ambition and longevity are not robbed by taking some time off, remember to rest and to enjoy the holidays because time loss with those you cherish cannot be regained.
And in the spirit of practicing what we preach, Entrepreneur Weekly will break for the holidays and will resume our postings on January 9, 2023. The JBDC team wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Sources
https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2022/11/30/taking-time-off-for-the-holidays-nine-ways-entrepreneurs-can-celebrate-stress-free/?sh=761c7883f950
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ilyapozin/2014/07/01/6-tips-to-relax-on-vacation-even-as-an-entrepreneur/?sh=30693fb38100
https://www.inc.com/stephen-key/three-ways-entrepreneurs-can-make-the-most-of-the-holidays.html
