A Work-Life Balance Tip To Begin Today!

Many entrepreneurs struggle with the whole work-life balance thing, but if you take time to stop and smell the roses, you may find that your productivity rises, and your mental and physical states will improve.

Congratulations. You're a business owner. What you do is "your baby," and you want it to be a success. You've dreamed about doing what you love for so long, and now it's a reality. But before you burn out, listen to one of the best productivity tips you'll ever hear -  take a chill pill, a vacation, or a scheduled breather. Your business depends on it!

Workaholics Make for Unhappy People

If you feel like in order to succeed, you have to work 15 or 20 hours per day, you're wrong. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Does the term workaholic ring a bell? If you're in business for yourself, you may work so hard because you want your company to skyrocket; the corporate workaholic may do it for recognition, or to lessen the guilt they feel if they don't overdo it. In either case, it's actually counterproductive.  The key is to use systems to do some of the work for you, so you don't have to work crazy long hours that make you cranky. 

Vacation Time in America versus Europe

If you left the corporate arena to leap into the world of entrepreneurship, you probably were given a certain amount of vacation days per year. Did you always take all of the days you were given? If not, you were not alone. According to the 2016 Expedia Vacation Deprivation Report, American workers left about 375 million paid vacation days on the table.

In the United States, vacation time is a “privilege” in contrast to most European countries where workers are entitled and have a legal right to the same benefit of up to 30 or more days off.

Recharge Your Batteries

Time off and breaks from work, no matter what you do, are extremely important. It’s a surefire way to recharge your batteries, brain, body, emotional state, and your focus. When you reach a state of overwhelm, stress can play havoc and make each task harder than it needs to be. You can avoid this stress which can eventually break down your body, lead to health issues, and lessen your productivity by doing one or more of the following:

• Make sure you do the most important things during your Power Hour.
  

• ​Take time to exercise, meditate, and do yoga.

• Be like Elvis and leave the building. Take a nature walk, or a run on your break.
  

• Schedule play time.

• Plan your vacation - ideally a few days every quarter.
  

• Take a power nap for 20 minutes.
  

Don't stress over what you're leaving behind when you take time away to recharge.  The more systemized your business, the more it runs on autopilot when you are gone.  You need systems for Sales, Marketing, Money, Operations, and your Team. Check out the list of 100 Proven Systems You Need to Boost Results to put more automation in your company.

The Scientific American says it perfectly. “Research on naps, meditation, nature walks, and the habits of exceptional artists and athletes reveals how mental breaks increase productivity, replenish attention, solidify memories and encourage creativity.”

The Harvard Business Review also has an interesting perspective on vacation and productivity. In a study of European businesses, employees admit they prepare to complete as much work as they can before their extended vacations. As a result, their performance levels and productivity while working are off the charts.

​If you'd like to learn more about how to stay on top of your game, even when you're on vacation, a business coach can help systemize your business so it runs effortlessly. For now, don't stress and enjoy a great vacation this summer!