So I just took 2 weeks off from my own business – the business didn’t collapse, we didn’t lose all our clients or sales.
Plus, I gave everyone else in the company a mandatory 2 weeks off.
So there was literally no one running the business for 2 weeks.
How I did this was actually pretty simple, it just requires stepping into the unknown and uncomfortable.
First off, I made plans to take the time off ages ago.
I told the team, made sure everyone knew what the goal was (2 weeks off) and gave plenty of notice.
Then I asked them to suggest ways we can make this happen.
This is principle #1 and #2.
#1 Know what you want
#2 Make sure they know what you want
Business owners tend to worry about the business collapsing if they’re not there.
- I won’t make any sales
- I won’t deliver any services
- Customers won’t pay for services they’re not getting
- I can’t trust my team to replace me
All of this prevents you from taking time off.
But, I’ve also found that NONE of that is true.
Have you asked your customers if you can take 2 weeks off?
No one expects you to work 365 days a year.
Tell your clients that the entire team is taking 2 weeks off and they’re more likely to admire you than criticise you.
Plus, the more notice and warning you give them, the less the impact.
Of course, long term, you want to be able to take as much time off as you want.
Which does require long term thinking and planning.
Maybe taking 2 whole weeks off with the team is too much right now.
But what about 2 weeks for you?
No emails, no calls, no beach-work (when you answer emails or do work from the beach on your laptop).
You still need someone or something else to deliver the results to the client.
You, as the business owner, cannot be responsible for the work getting delivered to the client.
I know that sounds counter-intuitive. But trust me.
The most valued and effective business owners are those who grow other people’s skills and let other people flourish.
Being able to take time off from the business is extremely important, and it is do-able.
It just requires some long term thinking and letting go of your old identity.
