How to Enjoy Your Summer Vacation AND Have a Business
I just finished a coaching session with a student of mine; who is contemplating of taking our most advanced and extensive program.
She got to a point in her business where she realized that if she would not do something drastic; she will be a slave of her own success for the rest of her life.
One of the major problems entrepreneurs have is that they build a business that is all about THEM.
The more successful they are the more they become a slave to their own success and they need to be constantly IN their business in order for it to run.
However, if you are serious in making your business work for you, there comes a time when you will need to devote time in making it into a business than only a great hobby which provides you good income and a place to express yourself and your vision.
There is time when you will just have to systemize and automate your business in order for YOU to be FREE.
For me this point became clearer each year when we wanted to take our vacations.
Most small business owners are afraid of taking time off from work as they feel that if they leave their business will collapse without them (which probably is true, if they have not systemized and automated their business).
However, vacations are crucial for your own health, but also for your business. Vacations are a source of inspiration for start-up ideas, inventions, corporate programs, or even a company name. I know that my best products and services were developed while I was on vacation and I could take a distance from the daily business and realize what is it that my clients are truly looking for.
The question is how do you go on a vacation and still have your business run?
Here are 5 tips for taking a vacation and having a growing business at the same time:
1. Plan Your Vacation Off-Season
Map out your business cycle and identify patterns of peak and low demand. Then plan your vacation around the time when orders generally decrease. For example, in our training business the summer is a “dead season” as most people take vacation with their families and will not come to training. If you’re an accountant then vacation after tax season would be less disruptive to your business.
2. Get Organized
To allow you to go on vacation with a peaceful heart (and mind), get organized well in advance of your vacation. Make a list of all the things that absolutely must be done before you go. Prioritize the list so that when time runs out – and it will – at least you took care of the important things.
For example, I’m writing this blog post weeks before leaving for a vacation in Ireland and Austria. While you’re reading it, I’m probably hiking somewhere in Northern Ireland (hopefully it will be sunny as it is today here as I write this blog…)
3. Automate When Possible
Automation is key for all successful businesses. Every interaction doesn’t necessarily require a person to pick up the phone or type an email. Find areas in your business that you can automate. From e-mail auto responders to CRM solutions there are plenty of tools available.
4. Empower Your Staff
Taking a vacation is the perfect opportunity to test the abilities of your staff members to handle the ship. Have your staff make a list of top priorities they’re taking accountability for – before you leave.
For me that was the biggest lesson. But I learned from experience – the more I delegate, the faster my business grows.
Teach your staff to handle daily operations and make educated decisions throughout the year. This will allow you to focus on critical tasks as well as provide an opportunity for you to take a break when you need to.
If you don’t have staff, consider hiring someone for a short amount of time to perform basic operations such as answering the phone, taking messages, or providing quotes.
5. To Call or Not to Call
Before leaving, determine whether you’ll take the approach of no contact (unless there is an emergency) or call in occasionally. If you really can’t get your business out of your mind while on the beach, a 10-minute debriefing with your staff can help calm your fears.
Personally, I make it clear to my team that I’m available if they need me, but I rarely initiate contact.
They also know that I love to get a short SMS message telling me the status of important projects.
And above all… let go of control – I know, I know – that’s the toughest of all – but once you’ve done that it’s the most rewarding one – so try and let go of control of your business and enjoy your vacation and your time out!
And now it’s your turn.
What tips do you have that helped you in enjoying a vacation free of business?
Share with us your tips, ideas and solutions for having a vacation AND running a business in the comment box below.
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Have a magical week! Vered
