If you have been paying attention, I’ve been writing about how to keep your business going while taking time off, so let’s assume that all of the scenarios for why many people do not take time off, in part one of this series are not an issue for you and you are open to rewarding yourself with time off and/or taking vacations.
Studies show that people who do not take vacations or take time to enjoy life outside of work have health and personal challenges. That said, let’s turn our attention to the benefits of taking time off. Although there are many benefits we could cover here, for the purpose of this article, I’ve condensed the list. In my humble opinion the top 3 benefits of taking time off are listed below.
1.Avoiding Burnout.
First and foremost, avoiding burnout is the best reason to take time off. Burnout reduces your ability to operate at your most effective level. Many people report that working long hours without any time off, contributes to mistakes and common errors that could be avoided had they been more rested or engaged. In an article in The New York Times, Schwartz contends “spending more hours at work often leads to less time for sleep and insufficient sleep takes a substantial toll on performance.
In addition, a recent Harvard study estimated that sleep deprivation costs American companies $63.2 billion a year in lost productivity.
2. Help to Manage Stress.
In the book Success Under Stress, author Sharon Melnick writes that 80% of workers feel stress on the job, and 70% of healthcare provider visits are due to stress-related conditions. With these kinds of numbers, it stands to reason that people would make adjustments in their work schedules and in their lives to simply take time off.
3. Creativity Boost.
Most people would say they feel recharged after taking time off. Generally speaking, stepping away from the daily demands and pressures of a job or running a business tend to help people have a better perspective on life and business.
According to an article on ABC News, “most people have better life perspective and are more motivated to achieve their goals after a vacation, even if it is a 24-hour time-out” said Francine Lederer, a clinical psychologist in Los Angeles who specializes in stress and relationship management.
The bottom line is that everyone needs time off from work, sooner or later.
If you are unable to take vacations, try to incorporate a 24 to 48 hour “stay-cation” into your schedule. There are times when you simply need a day off. Even 24 hours can boost your morale and give you a new outlook on life and in your business.
Here’s some ideas courtesy of Health Ambition about how you can have a productive rest day and make a quick 24 hour break worthwhile. Finally, you may need to reach out to local professionals in your area that are skilled in certain areas where you may need assistance. One such resource is Airtasker, where you can hire skilled people to do almost anything from administrative assistants to photographers, web design and more.
My recommendation is simple.
Take some time off to just be at home and unplug from your business and daily demands. It will certainly give you new perspective, creativity and a boost of energy. Who knows? It just might be the time you need to develop that new big idea that makes you tons of money. Remember you can’t give from an empty vessel. Take time to fill your tank and get back out there.
Stay tuned for part 3 in this series. We will focus on 5 tips you can use to prepare you for being away in your business.
Now it’s your turn…
Tell me in what ways have you benefited from taking vacations or time off in your business?
Did you meet a new client while you were on vacation?
Did you get inspired to create a new product or service that was a big money maker?
Please share your success with me and leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you.
© 2014 Quality Media Consultant Group, LLC – All Rights Reserved
Want to use this article on your blog or website? Here’s the author box that you must include.
This article is written by Dr. Lori A. Manns. Want to use this article for your website, blog or newsletter? No problem. Here’s what you must include: Dr. Lori A. Manns, CEO of Quality Media Consultant Group, a business consultancy firm specializing in advertising, media and sales solutions for your optimal success. Dr. Lori is the founder of Trailblazer Business Academy;™ where purpose-driven entrepreneurs go to learn next level strategies to grow their businesses, and the Sponsorship Sales Secrets System;™ that shows you how to get more sponsors and sales for your business, guaranteed. To book consulting services on marketing, advertising/media, or sales strategies and learn how to increase your revenue and grow your business; please visit www.qualitymediaconsultants.com.