I’m so tired. I can’t possibly take a break. I am hearing this all over the place these days. These are comments from entrepreneurs who are looking up and looking around feeling as though they are unable to take a break in the summer.
I hear the words and know that this is a mindset issue. I also know and recognize this to be part of the comparison game – a game played by many entrepreneurs on a regular basis. “I’m not as rich as…….” “I’m not as successful as ……..” “There’s just no time to get away ……” These statements are a true reflection of your belief system about what is possible for your business.
When I relocated a few years ago and re-launched my business, there was NO way I was taking a ‘real vacation’. One thing I did know for sure is that I needed a break – any kind of a break – so that I could renew and recharge my batteries. In the words of the famous Stephen Covey, ‘you’ve got to sharpen your axe’.
So I got creative. As an entrepreneur, you’ve got to get creative and innovative to succeed.
There are plenty of ways to get a break without spending a lot of money – here are just a few recommendations from my first (poor) year:
#1 – TAKE MINI-DAY TRIPS IN YOUR AREA.
In my geographical location, there is a paper called ‘Day Trippin’ – it became my summer bible. I read through that paper and learned a lot about activities in and around the area – all within a few hours’ drive. These events did not cost a lot of money – they got me out of the office and out of the house – and into a new, fun environment for a day. It was great. I did feel rejuvenated!
#2 –SCHEDULE THE TIME OFF.
I made a commitment to myself, in the beginning, to take each Friday afternoon off in the summer months of June, July and August. That gave me a long weekend – and it felt like a real break. I marked that time off in my calendar and I honored my word. That was critically important.
#3 –KEEP IT SIMPLE.
I mapped out my activities for the whole of the summer – one Friday afternoon involved a walk on the beach; another Friday was booked off for a long bike ride in a neighboring city; another Friday afternoon involved a trip to the market in another community. None of these ‘trips’ involved a lot of money – but they sure brought a lot of joy.
#4 –KEEP A GRATITUDE JOURNAL.
This might seem weird or out of place when you consider things to do to renew and recharge – but it’s vitally important to document what you are doing. As the days and weeks go by, you will forget the joy that these simple, inexpensive activities brought you. I know you will. We get busy. Make a commitment to keep a gratitude journal and document these experiences – every time you read it, you will re-visit the experience. That alone will bring you additional joy.
#5 –INVITE A FRIEND.
So often, throughout the year, we have great intentions of connecting with our friends – and then time passes by. On your calendar, mark down the activity you want to experience, the place you want to visit – and then the name of a friend you would like to have join you. This is such a great time to get together and get out and play. Take pictures – and then send a card, a few months later, to say thank you along with an invitation to get together again on a specific date. Live your life intentionally – and keep your friends close!
So what does any of this have to do with running a business? Listen – a happy, healthy entrepreneur runs a happy, healthy business! If not now (this summer), then when?
WHAT WILL YOU DO TO TAKE CARE OF YOU?
