Take a vacation – please.
If you are an owner of a small business, you know that it seems like it is next to impossible to actually take a vacation. Being the person central to the success or failure of a business comes with a lot of responsibility.
Interestingly enough, you would think if you work for a large company, it would be a no brainer to take time off, but even people in those organizations find it hard to make the break. Many people believe that they are indispensable and can not be gone for a period of time. If people in large businesses feel that way, what chance does a small business person have to get some time off?
Each year, articles pop up around this topic. The latest article from Canadian Business re-enforces the benefits of taking some time off. The main risk – burn out, both physical and emotional. And with mobile technology and the internet, the temptation is always there to sneak a peek at e-mail to see what is going on without you there.
So what is a small business owner to do? Try some of these options suggested in Susan Ward's article "How to have a worry-free vacation"
- Close shop. Have everyone who works for you take a holiday at the same time you do.
- Take your business with you. With mobile technology, you are only a phone call or e-mail away from solving any problems that might arise.
- Have a good second in command, that you can'train and trust to run your business while you are away.
Can taking a vacation actually improve how you do business? Yes according to Jessica Stillman in her article from Inc entitled "Make your vacations good for business" . It can force you to be more organized, working more efficiently and delegating responsiblity. And remember a vacation doesn't have to mean that you go half way around the world to get a break from your business, or be gone for an extended period of time. Who knows? While relaxing, you might come up with the next great idea for your company.
Check out some of the numbers given in The Small Business Owners Guide to Taking a Vacation. It includes some interesting tips and statistics on how small businesses take time off.
Enjoy your holiday!
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