How to Take Time Off From Your Business (And Why You Should)

Most entrepreneurs can relate when I say that “my biz is my baby”. No one cares about it as much as you do, and no one knows it better than you do (although, my biz manager Lauren is pretty darn close). For me, the wheels are always turning, and it doesn’t just shut off when 6pm hits. However, I’ve worked very hard to set boundaries, uplevel my purpose-driven productivity, and learn how to be more efficient with where and how I spend my time.

What I haven’t yet begun to master is the concept of a TRUE vacation. If I look back on all of the beautiful cities and countries I’ve visited since I started working for myself in 2017, I actually can’t count ONE trip that wasn’t tied to my work in some way. Whether I was hired to create content for someone else or I was creating for my own channels, there was always work to be done or deadlines to hit. Sure, I’ve gone on a few weekend trips here and there to visit friends and family members, but I don’t count that as a “vacation”.

LONG STORY SHORT… I’m getting married in Costa Rica this week. Wow, what? Crazy. It’s finally happening. This will be the first time ever in the history of running my business where I actually DELETE the email app (among a few other work apps) from my phone while I’m away. This is one of several things I’m taking action on in order to take time away from my biz, dip my toes into “vacay mode”, and hopefully allow myself to stay present during this very special moment in mine and Andrew’s life.

So, whether you’re gettin’ hitched or are simply itchin’ for some true-blue time off, here are some ideas of how to do it!

1. Let go of FOMO.

This one is tricky to do, because it requires you to let go of the feeling that you need to be involved in your biz and moving it forward 24/7. I want to be fully focused being present in this experience and actually living it rather than documenting it, so I’m setting major boundaries. Of course, it’s easier said than done. In this world of digital biz and social media, everything moves SO fast - it’s almost like blink and you’ll miss it! But, I’m clear on my priorities, and I know everything will be waiting for me when I get back. I do think it’s important to switch off from your work from time-to-time too. For a lot of entrepreneurs and creatives that I know, the biggest breakthroughs, high-level ideas, and ah-ha moments come when you’re not deep down in the weeds with the day-to-day tasks in your biz. Getting some healthy space and a little room to breathe can give you a clearer perspective and some fresh ideas to implement when you get back.

2. Decide what can be automated.

Do you get the same “frequently asked questions” emailed to ya? Consider throwing out an automated response answering + redirecting people to where they need to go. Here’s a perfect time when you can really let your tech tools work for you and make your life a whooole lot easier by automating and streamlining what you can. Pay attention to those every day recurring tasks or workflows that you’re doing over and over again. See if there’s any part of it that can be pre-scheduled or set to automate. I have Pinterest content running on autopilot, as well as new email subscribers funneling in through different email campaigns and sequences.

3. Work ahead + batch tasks.

You might be hustlin’ your way to the finish line right up until you leave, but sometimes it has to be done. If you want to maximize your productivity in the lead up to your vacay (or anytime!), then planning head and batching related-tasks is a good way to do it. That might mean setting aside dedicated time each day or each week to really hone in and get ahead on your content, your newsletters, your admin, etc. A while back I started experimenting with both task-batching and creating themed workdays, and it’s been really helpful for me to be able to channel my focus, effectively streamline my workflows, and optimize my creative energy. If you want to see an actual snapshot of what my calendar looks like to see how I block out my time/batch my tasks you can check it out over here.

4. Manage expectations.

Be sure to sign off from your email, and manage expectations on response time by turnin’ on your Vacation Settings! Leaving a kick-ass away message lets people there will be a delay in getting back to them, and it’s also an opportunity to direct those contacts to some of your best content. Have some blog posts, podcast episodes, social media accounts, or special content you’d like to feature? Link it into your ‘Out Of Office’ message so your audience has somethin’ juicy to enjoy while you’re away. Also, be sure to set boundaries around checking your inbox while you’re away. It’s really tempting to just take one quick little peek into your inbox, and then maybe just respond to something really quickly… and you see where this is going? That’s why I’m deleting the email app off my phone entirely while I’m away. Set boundaries, stand by your OOO dates, and be present with what’s happening around you. Your inbox will still be there when you get back.  

5. Say no.

There probably won’t ever be a “perfect time” to take off from your biz, and that might mean being ok with saying no to some of the opportunities that come along. Especially in the early days of working for yourself, it can be really tempting to say yes, yes, yes to all the exciting things that come along. You want to be everything to everybody, but that isn’t sustainable. Trust that just because you say no to something doesn’t mean you’re saying no to everything! And if it’s an opportunity that you think is just too good to miss, see if you can make it work for everyone. Can they delay it a few weeks? Can you shuffle things to make it work before you leave? There’s almost always a solution, and if there’s not, allow yourself to be comfortable with that.

6. Trust in what you’ve built + the team you’ve created.

This is a perfect opportunity to let your team take the reins. If there are good systems, documentation, and structure set up within your business, and your team is confident in what they’re doing… then trust in the business you’ve built and the team supporting you. As an entrepreneur, it can be hard to hand over parts of your business to others, but if you want to be able to spend more of your work time doing the things you truly enjoy and be able to take time off then you need to have a team in place and have the comfort-level to step out when you need to.

7. Give yourself a healthy buffer when you get back.

Take the pressure off yourself for when you return! You don’t have to hop off the plane and immediately hit the ground running. Create a little buffer in your calendar, so you can settle in, unpack, regroup, and get yourself caught up before you start to fill your plate again. Instead of locking in firm deadlines or due dates right after I return from a trip, I usually give people a timeframe for when I’ll touch base with them. This keeps things moving ahead without the unnecessary pressure of having hard due dates looming immediately post-vaycay.

So, I’m off for what will definitely be my longest amount of time away from my business since I started Om & The City. Am I feelin’ some nerves about being so far away for so long? Sure. But I also know I have a team who’s looking out for me, I’ve spent the time and energy setting up my business to run well, and I’ve done what I can to be productive in the lead up to our trip! I’m letting go of the FOMO, and I’m learning to accept that there will always be ‘more work’. I need to be strong enough to step away and be fully present to the people and experiences that are around me. It’s healthy to take time away from your business, and I CHOOSE to prioritize my wellbeing because I value a career that is sustainable, fulfilling and long-lasting.