You cannot move your business forward by worrying.
You cannot grow if you are burnt out. At this point, I doubt you’re firing on all cylinders.
It’s time to recharge.
The last few months have been one tumultuous roller coaster – and even though I enjoy a good challenge, I know well enough that there’s only so much we can take. We’ve been caught up in a tailspin – financially, mentally and possibly physically. Business owners or not, we’re all only human. Maybe you’re feeling this surge of adrenaline and you think you’re cruising along just fine. My friend, if you want to steer this ship though this storm and out the other side, you are going to need a lot more power behind the wheel.
Did I mention it’s time to recharge? Because I’m not sure you’re with me yet.
The landscape as we’ve known it is changing. It’s hard to know exactly how it will look when the dust settles. So it feels like a strange time to take a vacation. Your business is likely changing a bit, whether you’re pivoting your offering or still making decisions about your next move. But even if it’s a stay-cation, you must take a break from your business. You must reset your mindset.
I realize there is still a pandemic going on and we’re on the cusp of a recession. I get it. But business owner to business owner, I am here to remind you that grinding your gears over and over is not going to move those wheels forward. A recent Wall St. Journal article discussed staving off burnout by taking some time off. Guys, even WJS agrees with me!
To be candid, I never feel that there’s a completely perfect time to take off. I need to build my business, write books, create new products… You know what else? I need to hit the reset button from time to time and get a fresh perspective. I come back invigorated, even more creative and excited for what’s to come. And, I have a team who backs me up 100% so I am able to take that time off and know that everything is under control. They support me – and I them when it’s their turn to take their vacations too.
Employees are worried about taking PTO. Some are concerned about their finances or feel they may be penalized for taking time off. Fortune recently published an article citing 5 ways employees took vacation time during the pandemic. It’s just something to share with your employees in support of their vacation plans. Let them know that their well being is important to you – and that you need them at their best.
Before you and your employees head out for your well advised break, I have a homework assignment for you. Write to me and tell me where you’re going. Better yet, send a photo and we’ll post it on social media!
Let the world know you are taking action to recharge yourself to recharge your business.
You’ve got this my friends!
Mike
During the lockdown I started bike riding. I started doing it at the end of the day to unwind, but now I’m doing it first thing in the morning. I’m right on the NYS border, so I ride up into Piermont NY and out on the Pier into the hudson near the Tappan Zee bridge. the scenery is nice and it helps clear my head for the day.
Hi Mike
I ran 5K, 10K, and Full & Half Marathons. I train to keep my core body in shape to run those eve
You deserve this vacation, Mike. I recharge by reading & meditating in my backyard – I have a small pond with a waterfall & the sound of water is always soothing. I watch a movie that is either funny or inspirational. I attend my church’s live stream service every week. I listen to beautiful music – loud – like “The Prayer” sung by anyone is beautiful.
Mike, I feel you, I do. I’ve got a family with young kids, and while travel is alluring (ok, maybe it sounds downright fricking fantastic)… it’s not smart or responsible to do.
I’m going to grind. I’m going to dig deep, change/morph my habits, and do what’s boring, do the stuff just one more time that I hate, but do it like I love it, because I care that much about what I do.
That’s awesome…my husband and I both also recharge by going to the beach. We live here in the Tampa Bay area of Florida but we rent a specific condo on Treasure Island Beach. It is actually where we were when we decided to sell his business and move my business from part-time to full time and take it further by starting a group practice. We go there to relax and recharge. Some of our greatest ideas come from being there for 3 to 4 days and just slowing down. I am the CEO and he is the CFO of our business. Stepping away can be scary but so refreshing at the same time. I encourage everyone to do it. The next goal is 2 weeks off like you instead of just 4 days and of course the eventual goal of the one month away.
Beach, bike, ski, hike, chill with family.
Hotel Emma in San Antonio, Texas – check it out!!!!! – Justin
I recharge by taking long weekends during the summer months and disappearing into the mountains (no cell service) and decompressing. In Washington State there are just a few months out of the year where it is warm enough to do this – so when good weather comes I go away.
I too take time off and go to the beach when I’m in California to recharge and let my mind unwind. When in Massachussets I go to the mountains. It’s always in nature I recharge fully.
Hey Mike,
Like Barbara above I am sure to recharge every morning with a morning practice. And then find a way to get away for a couple of weeks each years. This year of course looks so different. However, my daughter (Chef Bai) is getting married in a few weeks in a small ceremony on the beach near her home in San Diego. I am filled with angst because of the virus but excited to relax and be with my family and celebrate that we can be safely together for this most important day.
Have fun!
Cheri
Mike,
We are being frivolous and taking a vacation to Mexico to an all-inclusive. It has been a very stressful year (we lost my husband’s dad in September, my mom had a serious illness, we moved my mom here to Oklahoma, the pandemic), so we are taking 6 days to rest, snorkel, and get some beach therapy!
Heading to Jamaica on Saturday then home for 3 days then off to Rehobeth for four days. Enjoy your time at LBI
We go to Destin, FL to the beach. I’ve been going there for around 40 years myself since I was a kid. It’s amazing. Have a great time.
Thanks for the inspiration! I was just telling a friend that it seems to be time for me to head into nature (rent a cabin) and spend a few days recharging. Today I was online looking at available cabin rentals, and there were plenty in my state (I live in Montana). After we finish working on our bathroom remodel, I think it will be time to “head to the hills”!
Hi Mike – Thank you for asking about recharging! It reminds me that it’s getting close to time to recharge!
This year has been the busiest ever and . there’s rarely a day off, and we are thankful for our wonderful clients.
However, lately when we have some spare moments, we sail on the Barnegat Bay out of Island Heights NJ. However, for a real vacation, we love to go down to Oak Island, Southport and Bald Head Island, North Carolina for a week.
Enjoy your time at the beach!
.
I live near a large lake with lots of campgrounds around it. My parent take a week or two each summer to spend at the lake. When I’m not able to get to a beach, just a day or two relaxing at the lake on the boat is great. There’s really nothing like the smell of pancakes outside on a picnic table at a campsite with the sound of the water lapping at the shore. I’ve gone camping with my daughter up in the mountains. I do like the beach, but being a mom, the most I ever hoped for was an hour to read a book after I had my daughter. If we go back to the beach or anywhere else for that matter, I’ll plan support so I can spend more than one hour with my own thoughts.
Thank you for reminding me that employees need to take time off, too. That keeps me thinking as I build my team, “How can I build in redundancies so no one person is relied on 100% to do something and therefore can’t take vacation?” Thank you!
Due to COVID-19, we’re spending a lot of time in our backyard, going out on bike rides in the neighborhood, and hanging out with family (who have also quarantined). I’d try to schedule a round of golf every other week.
Recharging for me is hooking up my caravan on a Friday afternoon and head to anywhere where there is sand, surf and shopping (that’s for the wife) and maybe with a grandchild or two!
Thanks for the reminder, Mike! Totally feelin’ it this afternoon! Brian and I will be heading North to the shores of Lake Superior the last week in August where it is stunningly beautiful and very nautical. It feels like you are on the ocean, yet it is unsalted and shark-free! It is a far cry from the original plan to spend September in Italy and Greece, however it is super beautiful in that area and it will be incredible to get away from it all!