Does Your Plan Include Time Off?

by Joan Friedlander

Day Off : 24 hours or more, every week, in which you do nothing related to your business whatsoever.

Vacation: Several 24-hour periods in a row in which you disconnect from your business.

Here are some interesting numbers for you to consider:

51% of small business owners say they check in with the office daily while on vacation.
--ICR for American Express, July 2005

23% of small business owners have not taken even one week-long vacation in more than four years.
-- Discover (cards) survey

The top reasons cited for not taking personal time off include not scheduling vacations in advance (11%)and being too busy at work(9%).
-- Canadian Business On-Line (July 2006)

A survey conducted by Expedia.com used the term "vacation deprivation." So, I ask are you 'vacation deprived?' What might the signs be?

* Tired or exhausted most of the time.
* Can think of little else besides your business.
* Starting to lose passion for your work.
* No new ideas in a long time.
* You get fidgety when you try to relax.
* You didn't take a vacation last year, and you haven't planned any for this year.

What reasons do you give (notice I didn't say "have") for not taking vacations?"

* You're not making enough money
* You've scheduled too many projects (too busy)
* Your customers can't live without you (or they'll find someone else while you're gone)
* You might loose business opportunities if you take time off
* If you're away, no one will be available to answer calls and email
* You will later when....

Here are some reasons I think that taking vacations is good for your business.

* By stepping away from business, even for 5-7 days (I mean taking a complete break) you'll have time to dream of new ideas.

* If there's something not working in your business, you're likely to see it more clearly when you're away, and return less willing to put up with it.

* You'll learn that your business survived without you * You are an asset to your business. If you're not doing well, eventually your business will suffer.

* All work and no play is not human!

 

by Joan Friedlander, © 2008. All rights reserved.