As a business owner it’s easy to feel like your work is never done – because no matter how much you do, there is always more that could theoretically be done. Many business owners we’ve spoken with also feel that they have a responsibility to be available to their team and that if they step away they are putting an undue burden on their team. So, we wanted to hear from a broad range of business owners on whether they take vacations and we’ve shared some of their responses below.
Hugo Arenas
I take working vacations, meaning that I do enjoy and relax, but feel that I have to constantly have my finger on the pulse. This is far from micro-managing, but more of a leadership role which I am devoted to. SO yes, my laptop does vacation with me, so to speak. My advice for anyone that can’t seem to step away, is to devote just one hour per day wherever your destination may be. Read more>>
Tiffany Cellura
Travel is one of my greatest joys in life and I feel I am the best version of myself when I get to enjoy travel. When we tap into who we are at our best we not only radiate that back to our clients, but we also set a great example of how to be a better business owner for those around us. As a consultant who works with leaders, I usually see two main reasons they cannot step away from their work: lack of delegation skills, or lack of trust to who they delegate to. Often, leaders fall into the “If it is going to be done right, I have to do it myself” mentality. Fortunately, delegation and trust are skills that can be learned. However, I recommend giving yourself at least 3-6 months leading up to your vacation to start small and work your way up to having a person you truly trust in your place while you are gone. Read more>>
Neha Sharma
I absolutely do! I worked for almost a decade without ever thinking about carving out personal time of any sort. I often brought work home, travelled all the time and even though I loved what I did, there was a certain amount of burnout I felt. Now that I have my own company I make time for family, friends and vacations. Time away allows me to come back to work with a lot more enthusiasm and fresh ideas. No one is indispensable and you can be replaced at anytime, and most people will not prioritise themselves because they fear this. It doesn’t matter how good you are when you’re gone the show goes on, it is this knowledge that kind of sets me free too. Read more>>
Meryl Brown Tobin
Vacations are important for any business owner, but, in my case, as a writer, I get an extra benefit in that they are also field trips where I consciously or subconsciously gather material for my writings. Here are some general advantages of vacations: 1. They get you away from everyday concerns and allow you to disconnect, unwind, relax and refresh. 2. Unplugging and focusing on what you want to do––traveling, beachcombing, bushwalking or whatever––is good for your mental health, stops you feeling overwhelmed, improves sleep, as does increased physical activity. 3. According to research, spending time in natural environments, as I do, is especially good for your brain. I also do a lot of writing on the environment. 4. It is good for your health to have a break and/or a change of lifestyle, especially a less-stressful one. You can recharge your batteries, and it peps you up. It may also help protect you against high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels, which can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. Read more>>
Fred Grant
If you have any experience running your own company or working in the film and video industry, you’ll find that you’re often overworked and underpaid. The less you make, the more you need to work—it’s a vicious cycle. However, I can tell you that it is possible to take vacations or pursue hobbies. My mom said something to me once that I believe is a universal law: “People make time for the things they want to do.” Ever since I heard her say that, I’ve observed and found it to be the truth in every instance. You want to learn an instrument? Make it the first thing you do when you get home instead of watching TV. You want money for travel? Stop spending all your money on drinking over the weekends. It’s as simple as that. It takes discipline, but I can assure you that it is possible. Take some time to make a schedule of what you do each day (and I mean everything). Make bulk meals that last you for a few days, eat while you’re working, and literally find any time you’re doom scrolling on your phone to reflect on that. There is so much time that you’re wasting that you aren’t even aware of until you start paying attention. My motto is, “If you don’t learn one new thing each day, then you have wasted that day.” Read more>>
Dorothy McCoy
Yes and often work vacations Read more>>