How To Take A Break Without Stress And Still Run A Profitable Online Business
Burnt out, tired and achy was not what I signed up for! We don’t leave our 9-5 to work 24/7, that’s crazy streets!
So, what does running a healthy and profitable online business look like? Well for me, it includes time to rest and space to create.
I used to get to December and my body would crash to the point where I’d struggle to find the energy to plan, host and enjoy Christmas Day.
When the same thing happened last year I decided, “E-N-O-U-G-H” , this year would be different.
At the start of 2021 , I decided to block in time for holidays, long weekends, business retreats and time for self-development so I'd have something to look forward to and so I could plan and keep myself accountable along the way.
And that is what today’s video is all about: The idea of Slowing Down to Speed Up And The Importance of Taking A Break From Our Businesses So We Can Come Back Stronger And More Productive.
August 2021 is officially the first month where I will do this. I’ll be taking two weeks off.
But here’s what I know ~ I can’t plan to achieve my holiday goals without a plan of action before I go away.
So, stick with me because later I’ll share with you how you can plan for a winning holiday free from anxiety and stress.
The Trade-Off
But first, I want us to acknowledge the trade-off involved with taking time off.
Here’s the thing ~ we can’t do it all, so something has to give
For me, it means I’ll take a step back from social media. I’ll probably go completely cold turkey for the first week at least.
And will post a new blog post when I return in a couple of weeks.
I’ll effectively slow down to speed up in the hope that I will be in a position to move faster and more dynamically when I return.
I think it’s healthy to take a break - an actual break - where you know you can rest and recharge and come
back bigger, better and brighter.
Are You In The 80% Of Start Up Owners Unable To Switch Off From Work?
Research carried out by the Lloyds Bank in the UK suggested that even when business owners took time off, they rarely fully disconnect from their business.
34 per cent of new business owners claimed to be in daily communication with their clients or colleagues whilst on holiday.
And eight out of every ten startup owners were found to interrupt their holiday at some point to address work issues.
As crazy as that sounds, I get it ~
It's Scary
I know that so many of us are building our online business or the online component of our business, looking to increase brand awareness and are committed to serving our customers.
So I know that it’s hard to take a step back
I also know that fear; the fear that not being active on social media will lose you followers, or the fear that not creating content for a couple of weeks will lose you subscribers or the fear that shutting up shop for a couple of weeks will lose you money.
And these are understandable fears - I get it - and that’s why I never used to take a break… because I was afraid.
Do What Feels Right
And I’m not for a second telling you to do anything that doesn’t sit well within your soul.
But here’s what I reckon, you wouldn’t be watching this video or reading this post if you didn’t believe in working smarter not harder.
And it doesn’t have to be a 2-week break, it could be a 4-day weekend if that feels more doable.
So why not work from a place of rest rather than recovery?
Why not choose to take a break rather than needing to take a break?
If you are considering taking a break, let’s take a look at some of the benefits of doing so and later on we’ll look at how you can make it happen ~
Benefits first!
Breaks from work have been linked to increased creativity, reduced stress, and are known to improve mental health.
I mean, come on, sign me up!
And if you are feeling the good vibrations of taking a break from your business then here are a few tips to help you make that happen.
3 Easy Steps to Achieving a Stress-Free Holiday
STEP 1: Make a list of all the fun and awesome things you will do on your holiday.
I mean it, you think I’m pulling your leg - no, this is an important step. Do it!
Whether it’s a staycation or you go away. Think about what you’ll do and who you’ll be with.
Even if you’re on your own, write down how you wish to feel and what you’ll do.
There’s incredible power in saying out loud (or writing it down) how you wish to feel in the future.
STEP 2: Write down the 1 thing you need to do before your holiday and a plan of action.
Then, and this is important, write down today’s date and the date you go on holiday.
And think of the 1 thing that you need to get done before you go away.
Just 1 thing that if nothing else get's done you would still feel happy and content while you were away.
Write down that one thing and the steps you need to take to check it off your list.
STEP 3: Write down the 1 thing you need to do the week you return and create a plan to completing it before you go away.
Then, and trust me when I say, this is what promotes peace while you’re away - Write down the 1 thing that you need to do in the first week you return.
This is the thing that knowing while you’re on holiday that you’ve already checked that Bad Boy off your list will make you feel 100% at ease, that’s the thing you need to do.
Those are the two things you focus on before you go away.
That’s it!
Now, if you have time to finish off other tasks then go on, do it - but prioritise those two things first, unless an emergency comes up.
Alright, that’s it for today, How You Can Slow Down To Speed Up By Taking A Break And Still Run A Profitable Business.
Before I go, you know I’m not gonna leave you without a kiss and a cuddle in the form of a blog post or two or point you in the direction of free tools and resources to hold your hand and cheer you on over the next two weeks.
The following links will support you and your creative vision; be it for your website, crafting copy or identifying and attracting your ICA ~ explore and ye shall find!
Alright, sweet souls, I wanna hear from you ~
Did you like this video?
Did the idea of slowing down to speed up resonate with you in any way?
Jump in the comments, and tell me what are the two things you need to get done before you go away so I can cheer you on every step of the way.
With an abundance of summer love,
I’ll catch you soon
Nat x