Give yourself a break

We spend a lot of time with you planning for growth and figuring out how to get things done. We love a good action plan and we want you to implement it.

It may come as a surprise that we are also very big on setting aside time for rest. The past 18 months have proven as never before the adage that entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. Some business owners lucked out and have seen their businesses flourish during the pandemic, but many of us have been hanging on by our fingernails for a long time now, and it's exhausting. Worse, we're still unsure about what lies ahead. The way we see it, either things are going to open up permanently and there will be a surge in demand for just about everything, or we'll cycle through more lockdowns. Either way, it's going to require even more from business owners. So we're prescribing some rest this summer - nothing crazy, just a few days for you to shut the business out of your brain.

There's a hidden and really important benefit to getting some time away from your desk this summer. Owner independence (when your business runs itself and you can just occasionally check in from Bora Bora) comes from having rock-solid systems and the right people. Want to find out how you're doing on these fronts? Take a few days out of the office and watch what happens. The cracks will be illuminated and you can then work to smooth out your systems and any issues with your team.

Success in business definitely requires sustained energy, but not even the most energetic among us have infinite reserves. Since no HR person is going to insist you take your days off, it's up to you to get some rest and prepare for the coming months. If it will make you feel more productive, read or listen to a business book, but also feel free to read a novel, binge a show, or take in some nature. The business will be there when you get back.