It’s Okay To Take A Break…Seriously

Being an Entrepreneur is probably not as glamorous as most would believe (mostly!). Yes, there is a high-earning potential by running your own business, and yes, networking and business events are great, but what a lot of people don’t see are the late nights and early mornings, the stress and anxiety, and the constant inability to ‘switch off.’

For Entrepreneurs time equals money — and money equals bills being paid, food on the table, and a business being successfully run! So when you are caught between actively running your business versus the need to recharge and reflect — is it okay to take a break as an Entrepreneur?

Like many other Entrepreneurs I feel a deep sense of foreboding turning on my out of office. Will my business be okay with me away from the office? What if a client is in a crisis? What if an emergency happens and I can’t fix it in time?

The ‘what if’s’ plague my mind no end, but then I remember these scenarios could happen even if I was in the office and was readily available — so do I continue waiting around for something that may or may not happen, or do I take a well-earned break and come back to my business refreshed and re-energised?

Well… after a shockingly minimal amount of convincing, I turned my out of office on and with a friend embarked on a 6 day road trip across the South of France, and I could not have made a better decision! For the first time in over a year I could feel the tension leave my shoulders and I began to live in the present, without worrying about the future.

Finding Inspiration

The azure blue seas of the French Riviera have inspired many a poet, songwriter, artist, and now me! Travel is seen as one of the integral components of happiness, and during my travels I found myself subconsciously thinking of new ideas, campaigns, and strategies for Marriott Communications and our clients. The tranquillity offered a reprieve from fast-paced work days, and I found myself finding inspiration and innovation from the new places I was visiting and the new people I was meeting.

Health Is Wealth

Along with staying physically healthy, maintaining emotional and mental health is incredibly important. Long nights and early mornings do not always correspond well to maintaining peak health and well being, and I for one am definitely guilty of skipping a morning workout in favour of 5 more minutes of sleep when I can get the chance too.

After 6 days of clean coast air, constant sunshine, and walking the palm tree lined streets of Cannes — I felt a massive difference in not just my physical health, but I also felt mentally energised and emotionally recharged.

Connecting

With busy schedules finding time to connect with friends and family can sometimes fall by the wayside. As an Entrepreneur you accept the fact that you may miss seeing a friend or relative on their birthday or on important occasions, and while we always try to do better, it is sometimes par for the course whilst you are growing your own business.

Travelling, and especially with friends, meant that I was able to properly carve out much-needed catch up time — and after 6 days of laughter, love, and adventure, I realised that connecting with the people around me should always be a priority.

A Life Well Lived

People become Entrepreneurs for many reasons. Some want to change the world, some have spotted a gap in the market ready to be exploited, and others want to make a tonne of money and have a really nice life. For me, I fall somewhere into the middle of this trifecta.

I want to make a positive impact on the world, I spotted a gap in the communications sector, and I also want to make money and live a nice life. However, these 3 reasons should not ever usurp living your life in the present and enjoying the little things that life brings. I cannot stress enough how vital it is to find a balance between work and life, even as difficult as that may be! Whether it is a 6 day road trip across France or a walk down the street — strive to make sure that you are enjoying the life you are working so hard to achieve.

So to answer the question of: is it okay to take a break as an Entrepreneur? The answer is yes! It may seem scary to leave your business unattended, even if it is only for a few days, but I promise you your business will still be there when you get back! The only difference being that you will be healthier, happier, more energised, and ready to take on your challenge!