When is the last time you turned over the keys to your business to someone else and went away on vacation? If you can’t remember the last time you did it, you’re not alone.
Surveys have shown that only about 57 percent of small business owners take a vacation every year. And, of those small business owners, about 25 percent only take a few days off at a time as opposed to taking a week or two to themselves.
Taking a vacation might seem counterproductive when you’re trying to run a successful business. Many small business owners have trouble relinquishing control of their company so that they can recharge their batteries.
5 Reasons Why Business Owners Need a Vacation
But, there are a lot of benefits that come with taking a vacation when you’re a small business owner. Here are five reasons why you should go on vacation every so often.
Reduces Stress
According to a recent study, more than 40 percent of small business owners admit that they spend entirely too much time worrying about their business. About 35 percent also admit that they often bring their worries home with them at the end of a long day.
Business owners worry about all kinds of things related to their work. Among the things they worry about are:
- Bringing in enough money to sustain their business
- Finding time to do everything that needs to be done throughout the workday
- Paying their bills on time
- Keeping their customers happy
- Finding reliable employees
All of these worries can leave business owners stressed out – and stress takes a toll over time. It’s hard to make good decisions in the business world when you’re constantly worrying and feeling stressed.
About 50 percent of business owners believe that bringing in more business is the key to reducing their stress. But, about 25 percent also believe that taking a vacation can do the trick.
Bringing in more business would be great when it comes to eliminating stress in the workplace, but it can take weeks, months, and even years to do. So, why not go with the simpler solution and go on vacation instead?
Taking a vacation will eliminate a lot of the stress you feel today and make you better at running your business. The old bromide “All Work and No Play makes Jack a Dull Boy” isn’t just a saying.
Improves Productivity
The average American puts in about 34 hours of work every week. But for many business owners, 34 hours would feel like a vacation!
Surveys have revealed that the majority of business owners work at least 50 hours every week. And, it’s not uncommon for some business owners to work upwards of 60 hours or more, especially when they’re first trying to get their company off the ground.
When you’re working 50 or 60 hours every week, it might feel like you’re being very productive.
When you’re working 50 or 60 hours every week, it might feel like you’re being very productive. But in reality, numerous studies have shown that most people start to become less productive once they eclipse the 50-hour mark.
By stepping back from work for a week or two, you can give your body and mind the break that they need. You can also come back to work feeling more recharged and ready to be more productive than ever before.
Helps Generate New Ideas
If you’re ever having a tough time figuring out a problem related to your business, scientists suggest taking a walk. By leaving your place of business for a few minutes and walking around outside, you can clear your head and come up with the best solutions to your problem.
You can also clear your head and get a new perspective on your business practices by taking a vacation. Going away for a week or two will allow you to clear your mind and make room for new ideas.
That does not mean that you should spend your whole vacation brainstorming ideas that will help improve your business. But, it does mean that you’re more likely to get hit with new ideas out of the blue when you spend a few days away from work.
Gives Employees a Chance to Shine
You’re not going to be able to run every single aspect of your business forever. When you first start your business, you might have a hand in everything, but that’s not a sustainable way to operate a business.
Over time, you must delegate some tasks to your employees and give them more responsibilities. You might be hesitant to do it at first. But, if you’re going to achieve long-term success, there is no getting around it.
Taking a vacation will give you the perfect opportunity to see what your employees are made of.
Taking a vacation will give you the perfect opportunity to see what your employees are made of. You can leave one or two of them in charge and see how they handle being the boss for a week or two.
The only way you’ll find out which employees are prepared to move up the ranks within your company is by putting them to the test. You can do it by taking a vacation and leaving them behind to tend to your usual responsibilities.
Have you ever considered group coaching for your team – this might also help to determine their strengths and weaknesses so you know where they excel.
Keeps Life in the Proper Perspective
Your business is probably one of the most important things in the world to you.
But, it’s important to remember that it is just a business. It shouldn’t be the only thing that defines you. It also shouldn’t be the only thing that gets you excited.
The world is a big place filled with so many amazing things. When you go on vacation, you’ll get to experience them. You’ll also get to travel with those you love most, whether that be your family members or your closest friends.
You’ll keep your life in the proper perspective by leaving your business behind for a little while.
Taking a Vacation Is a Must for Business Owners
It’s easy to convince yourself that you don’t need to worry about taking a vacation when you own a business. Many business owners will say things like, “I just don’t have time to go on vacation right now!”
But you could actually be doing a huge disservice to both yourself and your business by not going on more vacations. Think about that the next time you skip your vacation.
Contact Team Stetzel for a strategic coaching session. No, we can’t plan your travel arrangements, but bet we know someone who can, we just want to help you see your value and help your business grow!
