When life happens, entrepreneurs don’t have the option to call in sick or ask for some time off. Whether you’re sick, have suffered a business setback, or just having a really bad day, an entrepreneur can’t usually just walk away for a period of time without damaging their business. But just because you’re self-employed doesn’t mean that you don’t still need some mental breaks. If you ignore problems and push through, it will eventually catch up with you.
Here are 4 simple tips for entrepreneurs to get that well deserved break we all need from time to time.
1. Small Steps
Owning and running your own business that serves as the financial lifeline for you, your family and possibly employees can be overwhelming at times. When you’re dealing with problems – within your business or outside – taking a step back and dissecting the issue into smaller steps can greatly alleviate the pressure on any situation.
If you’ve got a few big projects on your plate, don’t try and attack them all at once – you’ll go berserk. Plot out to begin one of those projects each day of the week, or maybe once a month. Break down the massive banquet of responsibilities into manageable plates. You’ll be much more likely to complete everything, and complete it effectively.
2. Just Do the Basics
This just might not be the best time to take on all of those extra projects that you can realistically deem, not absolutely necessary. Sometimes you have to just come in and just get the basics covered to get through the day. This option may sound pretty gloomy, but if you allow yourself a week or so to just squeak by, you’ll likely regain that entrepreneurial momentum you need to come running back into the office on Monday revitalized.
3. Take or Plan a Vacation
Of course when things get tough, the first thought is fight or flight. A personal favorite after enough brutal rounds of fighting is a vacation far away from it all. Realistically though, if we could just take a vacation at the drop of a hat we likely would be doing that far more often anyway. A ‘staycation’ can be the next best thing. Plan a night away at a hotel and just soak in the Jacuzzi without your cell phone. If time away is just impossible, planning a big vacation worth looking forward to can often have nearly the same effect. Book a non-refundable deposit on a room somewhere so there are no excuses once the time comes! It’s actually GOOD to take vacations!
4. Re-Group and Dive-In
Sometimes the best medicine is to re-evaluate what you’re doing and what you’re doing it for in order to best devise a new plan of attack. Tear apart your day-to-day and see where you can cut the fat. You may even want to peruse the competition and see what you may want to emulate or avoid. Then jump back in there and make it happen!
There should be no regretful feelings about needing a breather every once in awhile. Being an entrepreneur is a tough job – arguably even more deserving of a break than most!
Matthew Toren is an Award Winning Author, Serial Entrepreneur and Investor. He Co-Founded YoungEntrepreneur.com along with his brother Adam. Matthew is co-author of the newly released book: Small Business, Big Vision: “Lessons on How to Dominate Your Market from Self-Made Entrepreneurs Who Did it Right” and also co-author of Kidpreneurs.
“Small Business, Big Vision provides a framework for you to unleash your driven and relentless passion to achieve unprecedented growth.”
Dear Matthew,
Very sage advice. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.
Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards
@Joan Thank you for the excellent comment. Cheers!
Great tips, man! I think I need a vacation – just because you said so! But really, many people are challenged to re-group every day. For me, I exercise when I need to regroup. I find it’s a great stress reliever and keeps me focused on my workout. Plus, sometimes I’ll be on my third pull-up when I think of my best idea yet!
Focusing on one thing at time really helps. I just make a list and work my way down it.
Matthew,
There have been many times where I’ve felt overwhelmed and don’t even know what to work on. I find that sleep helps dramatically. In fact, I would say that my best work is done in the morning after a good night’s rest.
I also agree about working on smaller tasks or just the basics. The sense of accomplishment for each completed task helps build up momentum to get back on track.
Best,
Philip
@Philip I agree that sleep is crucial! Don’t put yourself under a ton of pressure either. Thank you Philip for taking the time to post.
These 4 tips are absolutely true however if I could add a point to number 4 “Re-Group and Dive-In”. “Devising a new plan of attack” is the only way forward HOWEVER Sometimes when your plans or strategies don’t work the way you expected, one needs to realize that you may be fighting a losing battle and dump what you are doing all together and cut your losses. That way you can focus all your money, time and efforts into your new “adventure” without your old project holding you back.
@Ernie Thank you so much for taking your time to contribute a point to number 4. That is an extremely important point.
Thank you!
Matthew
Thank you, just found your blog. I`ve run my own business for ever it seems, your words have cheered me up. It`s nice to know there are other people who can`t be sick, never get paid until the staff do etc. etc.
Many Thanks
@Jan Glad I could be the sunshine for that moment in your entrepreneurial life. Keep up with your passion for success Jan!
Thanks guys, I have done exactly all of that. I just exagerated a little on point 3, taking 6 years of vacation!
And I like the sentence: when things get tough, the first thought is fight or flight.
Nice thoughts. I feel the best method is just take a small break from office and read a book. That relieves the tensions and recoups energy to take a dive again.
liked the tips.