Is Running a Business and Taking Time Off Possible?

More than 2 years ago, I wrote a blog about going on Vacation while running a business. I’m proud to say that in the past 2 years, I’ve taken a few more vacations!

A lot of business owners may agree that going away on vacation (while relaxing in many ways) can also be one of the more difficult parts of owning a company. Don’t get me wrong — vacation is GREAT and I need it to reenergize and reset! However, I find it very hard to let go of my everyday business life.

Personally, it’s not about being physically away from the work, since technology allows us to connect and my team is great (!). Rather, it’s about having a different schedule and feeling like I’m supposed to relax.

Here’s what happens when I place (self given) rules around vacation:

• Tell me to sleep in and I’ll wake up earlier than usual, only to lie in bed fighting the urge to check my emails and relax.
• Tell me to read a light easy novel and I will, but I will also complement it with a business biography or a stack of Tech and Entrepreneurship related magazines.
• Tell me to resist client work for at least 24 hours and instead, I’m working on big picture business planning — off my computer and in a new “vacation journal”.

Knowing that I only have 1 week to properly “relax and recharge” feels like a lot of pressure so instead, I like making time for R & R in my everyday routines.

What I have discovered is that doing an hour or two of work in the early morning and an hour or two of work at the end of the day (pre-dinner) is a great compromise to feeling caught up at work while also being able to relax and enjoy my vacation.

I believe that giving yourself time to enjoy your life and time to enjoy your work is important. Working all the time is not usually conducive to creating excellent quality work and relaxing all the time isn’t usually conducive to achieving your life’s goals.

Surprise, surprise — It’s all about finding a balance that works for you!

I am constantly learning new ways to find balance between work life and relaxation! What strategies help you find balance in life? Would love to hear your stories!