Taking Time to Take Time

Posted by SimplySmallBiz under Management
From http://www.lipsticking.com 4166 days ago
Made Hot by: fundpr on July 1, 2013 12:48 pm

"I'm going on vacation that week," a colleague told me in response to a request for a lunch meeting with him, a few years ago. I was after a deadline for the following week.

"You do vacations?" I said, with a twinge of regret in my voice. "I haven't had a vacation in forever!"

"You're kidding, right?" he said, in his sternest voice. "Vacations are essential if you're in business for yourself. Every business owner needs time off, but especially small business owners. When you eat, drink and sleep the business, it begins to wear on you. Without a vacation, you will not be an effective CEO."

His words hit home. For the last 20 years, as I've worked to grow my businesses (yes, I've had more than one), I've pushed vacation time aside. I thought I was being responsible. I thought I was obligated to always be 'there' - wherever that was (online, in a meeting, at an event). The advice from my colleague weighed on my mind for several days.