Studies have shown that vacations have extraordinary benefits -- not just for your health (and your sanity), but for your business. Vacations are good for your heart, your brain, your creativity, and your general well-being and productivity. But too many small business owners are too busy that they take for granted these important benefits of taking that well-deserved vacation.
Here are few tips for workaholic small business owners to prepare for and rationalize that sorely needed vacation.
Set an Email Vacation Responder
Many small business owners don't do this -- they fully intend to continue checking emails and voice mails from the beach, the course, or the trails -- but isn't the whole point of going on vacation to really get away from it all? If you're constantly checking in, you're just working remotely; you're not enjoying the complete mental break that provides that "reset" your mind and body need to continue running your business while operating your best.
Select one or two people in your organization to act as gatekeepers of your contact information, and direct them to contact you for emergencies only. Anything else can wait until you get back.
Give Your Employees the Tools to Succeed
Along those lines, if you find that the thought of handing over the reins in your absence makes you apprehensive, it's possible you may be micromanaging just a teensy bit.
For many small business owners, it's hard not to keep an eye on everything at once. It doesn't mean they don't trust their employees. It's simply their nature to be uncomfortable when they're not 100% aware of all aspects of the business. Are you this type of a business owner. Then, you need to brush up on your delegation skills. Consider your employees -- if you have bright, intelligent and dedicated people on your team, and if you show them trust and respect by putting them in control while you're gone, they'll reward you with a job well done in your absence.
Spread the Word to Customers
Some small business owners shy away from outright telling customers they'll be away for fear it will be interpreted as putting their personal lives over their business lives -- but the truth is, everyone is entitled to have a life outside work, and your customers will appreciate being in the know.
First of all, giving them ample time to prepare means they can work your schedule into theirs. If they have anything crucial they'll need you for, you're giving them a solid chance to either take care of it ahead of time, or at least not freak out when they try contacting you in the interim. Second, they'll appreciate the fact that you cared enough about their comfort to keep them informed, which helps strengthen customer loyalty.
Give Yourself a Day to Catch Up
There's nothing wrong with telling everyone you'll be back next Thursday while secretly slipping home unnoticed on Wednesday -- it gives you a chance to jump back in slowly, organizing your thoughts at your own convenience before the endless stream of "this is what happened while you were gone" office visits and 9:01 a.m. "did you see that email I sent you" forwards.
Remember: vacations are important, not just for you and your family, but for your business. Don't deprive your business of this mental resetting and renewed focus by depriving yourself of your well-earned vacation!
Sources:
- "Relax! Vacations Are Good For Your Health," NPR
- "Seriously, You Need a Vacation," Inc.com
Sarah Kolb - Business incorporation and copyright registration specialist. Freelance book editor. Senior content editor/writer.
