Running a business is fun and exciting, but it’s also incredibly challenging.
There are days where being a business owner makes you feel empowered, and others where you feel absolutely drained by the end of the day. Whether it’s work stress or life’s demands, it’s not hard to feel overwhelmed and pulled in too many directions.
If you’re feeling more of the latter lately,
it’s time to step away.
Seriously! Running a business on fumes is only doing a disservice to you, your business and your customers. Stepping back from your business for a month or two might be just the thing you need to refresh your drive and replenish your energy.
Before you jump ship, there are a few things you can do to make sure your break is valuable and your return runs smoothly.
Pssst… it’s important that we quickly acknowledge that not every hiatus is the same. Some businesses have full teams while others are one-person shows. Keep your personal situation in mind and mold the following tips to work well for YOU.
10 Tips When Stepping Away
Before You Go
1. Evaluate your WHY
Establish why you’re leaving. Is it parental leave? Just a mental health break? Write down why you’re taking this break.
2. Decide whether your business will remain open
If you have a team, it’s likely your business will keep running. Make sure your customers know that!
3. Update your customers as needed
If you’re genuinely closing your doors for some time, let your customers know! They’re more likely to return when you’re back if they aren’t ghosted and this allows you to fully disconnect from business while you are away.
4. Ease yourself out
More often than not, it’s not a good idea to simply disappear, especially if you want to return. Wrap up outstanding projects, and ease out of your work.
5. Prepare your team
If you have a work team, let them know when you’ll be out and make sure they have the tools they need to keep going.
6. Budget wisely
It’s possible you won’t be making money while you’re out. Make sure you and your family are prepared for a bit less money for a while.
While You’re Out
1. Unplug, seriously
It’s not a break if you’re constantly checking in with your team or looking at your competitors. Stay out of all things work related!
2. Take rest seriously
You may want to use this time to travel or catch up on home projects, and you can! But, it’s also important to take a few days to truly rest.
3. Establish and stick to boundaries
You may now be able to help around the house more, but set boundaries. If you’re taking this time to take care of yourself, that should be the priority. Same goes for if this is time to take care of a new baby or family member.
4. Crack down on guilt
It’s easier said than done, but guilt is likely to creep in while you’re out. Remind yourself that you DO deserve time off and life outside of work is just as, if not more important than work itself.
Taking time off is part of owning a business. It’s part of being a professional. We’ll never be able to give our best selves to our work if we never attend to life outside of work. It’s all about finding a good balance (or harmony) between the two, and setting yourself up for a successful time off.
If you’re about to step away from your business, be PRESENT.
If you’re taking a mental break for yourself, spend time treating yourself and establishing a solid self-care routine.
If going on parental leave, enjoy these precious moments with your new baby. You won’t be able to get them back!
If you need to take care of a loved one, treasure these moments you have with them and give them the undivided attention they deserve.
If you’re going on a vacation, enjoy it. Take pictures. Smile often. Laugh daily. Take a break from stress and just enjoy your time off.
No matter why you’re stepping back, just know you deserve it and that there is no shame in doing what is right for you and your business. Using these tips, you’ll be able to return when needed, as needed.
Find Your Brand's Soul Again
Realigning a brand with the heart and soul of a company’s mission is not new! Amazing companies do this often!
Just take a look at these important re-brands from this past year
Need a bit of help in realigning your goals and seeing where you are out of touch with your ideal audience? An outside perspective is GOLD in this type of exercise! Schedule a guided brand audit with me today where we will work through this worksheet, review what you have put out in the world and discuss why it does or does not align with the heart and soul of your brand!
