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Subject: you can’t afford not to
When’s the last time you took at least one week off from your business?
Last Friday, I was having drinks with my friend Natalie to celebrate her new dream job. She works in gynecology and sexual medicine and is joining a niche boutique practice where she gets to focus on the work she loves.
Sounds perfect, right?
Me: Natalie, I am so freaking happy for you. This is a dream!
Natalie: It really is. I just wish I had more time off so we could go on that [super nerdy] Outlander tour in Scotland…
Me: Of course we can! How much time off do you have?
Natalie: By this time next year, I’ll have accrued about 2 weeks of paid time off.
…. WHAT?
After I cleaned up the shock-induced gin and tonic I spit all over the table, I more eloquently articulated my dismay that she only gets two weeks off per year.
Natalie kindly reminded me that I’ve been out of the “corporate” scene for a long time and that starting a new job with only two weeks off is pretty standard.
Honestly, I had completely erased that horrifying fact from my memory.
My #1 most favorite thing about being my own boss is that I get to be in complete control of my time, and I have the power to organize my finances so I’m able to pay myself while taking copious amounts of time away from my business.
It makes me super sad that so many business owners discount this amazing benefit.
I spent lots of time with my coaching clients reviewing their schedules and helping them identify when and how they can take more time off.
To be clear, I believe we all deserve more time away from our work for rest and pleasure. We’re humans, not machines. Our well-being should never be attached to our productivity. But alas, capitalism and (insert all of the other oppressive systems in your life) make you believe that taking time off is selfish, indulgent, and will probably lead to your financial demise.
That’s why I’m also comfortable making a strong argument in favor of taking time off in service of your business. Yep, I really believe that taking time away from your business is one of the best gifts you can give your business!
More rest = more success.
Greg McKeown describes this concept beautifully in his book Essentialism. He talks about the 3 things you need to do to create more clarity and focus in your business.
- Explore → You need to escape from your business so you can explore your life and create space to read, learn, design, and focus.
- Play → Doing things just for the sake of joy and pleasure does magical things to your brain! You think more clearly, get your most creative ideas, and reduce stress by playing.
- Sleep → It’s hard for ambitious, successful people to say no to an opportunity to work, but sleeping, resting, and recharging your own batteries is essential to protecting your business’ most important asset: YOU.
In my humble opinion, you need a vacation from your business to deeply relax into exploration, play, and rest.
Why? Because you deserve it AND it will benefit your business.
Sadly, there’s not much I can do for Natalie or the millions of people who work for companies that don’t share this value.
What I can do is continue to encourage you to take advantage of the incredible freedom and flexibility you have as the owner of your business.
Don’t let this gift go to waste.
My suggestion? Plan at least one week off between now and the end of the year. And no, you can’t count Thanksgiving or Christmas. This is time in addition to the holiday!
I’m taking off the first two weeks of November.
Want some accountability? Hit reply and let me know when you’re going to step away.
Here’s to your much deserved rest,
Maegan
