Vacationing as a Small-Business Owner: How to Take Time for Yourself

It’s finally Summer! School’s out, and we’re starting to feel the Georgia heat. For many families, now is a great time to take a vacation. But what about small business owners? Running your business can be overwhelming, and you may feel you don’t have time to take off, but that’s exactly why you need one. Kelly and I just took a vacation, and it was a wonderful time for us to spend with family and relax. Here’s how you can do the same.

Start Small

If you’ve just started your business, taking time off may be anxiety-inducing, so start small. Take a long weekend, and test the waters. Your team will have to adjust to your absence as much as you, so start with just a day or two. Then, once you and your team are more comfortable, you can take longer vacations, worry-free.

Unplug

Yes, it can be unrealistic to completely ignore work for a week, or even just a few days, but it’s important to unplug from email and calls as much as you can. Vacation should be a time for you to relax and recharge so that when you come back, you’re at the top of your game. If it’s absolutely necessary, schedule calls to check in with the team. Stick to that schedule unless there’s an emergency. This will help create a “vacation boundary” between you and your work.

Plan in Advance

No spontaneous road trips, now. As a small business owner, it’s difficult to take a vacation; that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. All it takes is some planning. Plan your vacation days when you sit down to plan the rest of your business for the year. If you and your family usually go somewhere for the Fourth of July, pencil it in, and plan for it. Make sure your partners and employees know when you’re going and for how long. Most importantly, make sure they know what the “chain of command” is while you’re gone.

Trust Your Team

Finally, trust your team to carry on without you. It’s only a few days, a week at most. You hired them, you work with them every day, you know they can handle their jobs while you’re away. Trust them to do it, and you’ll have an amazing, carefree vacation!

Are you planning a vacation any time soon?

-Stanley & Kelly