In the past year, work has looked entirely different for almost everyone— which also means that life has looked entirely different, too. With a new remote workforce in the midst of a pandemic, the line between work and life became a little more blurred. The outside world was shut down, and that left us to stay home, work, and find things to fill our time. In a way, it rewired our minds on what work/life balance should look like. For a lot of us, that meant shifting from leaving work at the office to being available at home at all times.

Taking time off can actually benefit your business. I’ll say it louder for the workaholics in the back: taking time off is beneficial and healthy for you personally AND professionally. As a small business owner and a recovering workaholic I know burnout is real. But if I have to see another article about how burnout we all are without any tangible solutions, I’m gonna flip a table (not really… but it’s too good a visual to leave out). Even though we are so keenly aware of the rate of burnout among Millennials and Gen Z, there is still too many of us not taking time off to rest and recharge. 

There’s study upon study proving (with REAL DATA) rest, vacation, and time-off are beneficial (and even necessary) for us. So why are there still so many of us tired, frustrated, working late in front of a crappy TV show?

If you need even more affirmation, here’s a quick list of three reasons (I like to be efficient) you should schedule your ‘Out Of Office’ notification ASAP. 

Break away from ‘burnout.’

Listen— you don’t have to book a 10-day vacation on a beach in order to refresh and fill up your social tanks. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce phrased it this way: “[Extended] vacations are a necessary, but not a sufficient, tool to deal with stress and avoid burnout.” Why? The effects of vacation wear off after a few days. 

Try this instead: include breaks and time-off (long weekends; afternoons off) regularly in your schedule rather than expecting a one-week vacation to sustain you for an entire year. This could look like blocking off a few days each month to travel locally, catch-up on non-work things (e.g. working out, cleaning, personal appointments, errands, etc.), or just relax and enjoy your life outside of your business.

Newsflash: The world WILL NOT end if you step away from your screen, put your phone on Do Not Disturb, and retreat for an allotted amount of time.

You don’t have to hate your job to take time off.

I wake up every day, excited to do the work I do for my clients— I really do! But I still need time away. It’s easy to understand why people who hate their jobs need a break, but business owners who love what they do… that’s a little harder to understand. However, I think taking time off actually proves you love your business more because you’re willing to protect yourself from burnout, find inspiration, and return with a new motivation. 

If you love your work and you feel guilty about taking time off, it can actually be a good thing. Let that go, prepare in advance, and disconnect. You deserve time off, too.

If you hate your job and you live for long weekends and your 7-day vacation once a year, it might be time for you to find another job or find a way to fall back in love with your business. (Psst… I can help you with that!)

Your mental health matters.

It can be easy to get into work-mode and get consumed by your workload, task list, overflowing inbox, and more. Time-off allows us to take a step back, quiet the news and actually focus on something that doesn’t require 100% of ourselves. Vacations (and time-off in general) help reduce depression, anxiety, and stress. A healthy business requires a healthy business owner. This is a friendly reminder to prioritize your mental health, not just your business.

Your productivity will increase.

It may sound counterintuitive, but your productivity can actually increase after you take time away from work. According to a study conducted by the Boston Consulting Group, individuals who were required to take time off were significantly more productive than the employees who spent more time working. There you have it: it’s scientifically proven that you should take a vacation. 

I’m going to go out on a limb and say you’re a healthier business owner/employee/partner/spouse/family member/you when you’re happy, inspired, and productive— all of which are results of unplugging from your busy workload and getting away (whatever that may look like for you).

I’m a BIG believer in practicing what I preach, so on that note… I’m going on vacation! I will be OOO (Out Of Office) August 13-22. My team and I are doing everything we can for the next couple of weeks, preparing for my departure.

While I’m gone, my team will be managing social media accounts, design work, and other Marketing needs like the rockstars they are (and then it will be my turn to step in for them when they take time-off!).  I can’t wait to take some time with my family and let my brain and body recharge. I’m so excited to kick off a spectacular Fall/Winter season when I return. Current/on-boarding clients… Get ready! :)

My inbox will remain open, but you won’t hear from me until I get back. If you need my reasons why, go ahead and scroll back up to the top!