Rest With The Best: Master Mindful Time Off
Are you a female entrepreneur juggling perfectionism, people-pleasing, and a never-ending stream of things to do?
Ever find yourself in burnout, filled with self-doubt, and overthinking about money?
Do you want to feel more confident, calm, and powerful in your money mindset AND deeply rested like a Bad Bitch?
If you nodded to any of these, then keep reading for your tailored guide to mastering mindful time off.
In the rigorous world of entrepreneurs, the phrase 'time off' often feels like an alien concept. As your therapist and coach, I urge you to reframe. Quality downtime is not a pause in progress—it's the fuel for the next milestone.
Set Your Intentions (More Than Just Daydreaming!)
Taking a break might seem like a casual affair, but often times there can be a lot of stress and anxiety around even planned time off. Without a specific intention, you might find yourself ruminating on client portfolios instead of enjoying a well-earned sunset. This time is an opportunity for profound benefits. Identifying an intention—even if it's as simple as 'I want to unwind'—sets the tone as a guide for you. This will serve as your internal compass, helping you redirect your thoughts whenever they wander back to work.
Self-Reflection Exercise
List what you want to achieve during your break.
Next to each intention, write why it matters.
Choose the three intentions that are most important to you as a guide.
The Often-Overlooked Financial Plan
A successful vacation requires financial prudence. The absence of income during your break needs to be factored into your financial planning. Set aside a 'vacation fund' well in advance to enjoy your time off stress-free. Consider hiring temporary help for administrative tasks, household chores, or errands like grocery shopping. If you don’t do this, you may find yourself stressed out during your time off or when you return - undoing all that mindfulness you just embraced. Who says you only need to plan mindful time off from work?
Craft Your Communication Masterplan
Whether you're planning a brief hiatus or an extended sabbatical, clear communication is the linchpin for making your time off as rejuvenating as possible. Here's how to ensure your professional world stays in orbit while you're away.
Pre-Vacation Awareness
Client Heads-Up: Two weeks before your leave, send a gentle reminder to your clients about your upcoming absence.
Key Briefing: Either gather your team for a quick briefing or, if you're solo, jot down key points and deadlines to keep in mind before you go.
Pre-Planned Content: Creat pre-scheduled content or social media posts that go live during your absence to keep your online presence active.
Schedule a Buffer: Allocate a day for catching up on emails, updates, and project statuses upon your return.
The Out-Of-Office Setup
Autoresponder Emails: Make sure you set up an out-of-office email that provides essential details like return date and emergency contact.
Voicemail: Update your voicemail with the same key information.
Remove apps or other programs that may encourage you to check-in when you should be checked-out.
Communication Systems
for businesses with teams
Choose a reliable team member as your point person for urgent matters.
If necessary, schedule a brief check-in with your 'Go-To' person.
Provide a resource that outlines client preferences and ongoing projects.
Prepare a crisis communication strategy that your 'Go-To' person or a trusted person in your network has access to.
for the solo entrepreneur
Set up an automated email system that sorts emails by urgency and provides immediate answers to frequently asked questions.
Consider scheduling automated updates or reminders for clients for the duration of your vacation.
Create a digital dashboard where you can quickly check the status of ongoing projects and client communications.
Prepare a crisis communication strategy that a trusted person in your network has access to.
The Essential Long-Vacation
One of the most common mistakes busy business owners make is not taking enough time off—or, when they do, not using that time effectively. Your time off should serve you, replenishing you in a way that weekend respites or short getaways simply can't. Here's why longer periods of time off is crucial:
It takes time for the body and mind to fully unwind. A longer break provides the space needed for deep relaxation.
Short breaks often leave you still tethered to work mentally. Extended time-off allows for a full digital detox.
Longer vacations allow for uninterrupted time with loved ones, deepening relationships and creating meaningful memories.
Extended breaks offer the time for introspection, skill development, and personal growth, which short breaks simply can't offer.
Returning to work after an extended break often reignites your passion, creativity, performance, and energy levels, leading to financial gains.
Longer vacations can result in significant reductions in stress levels, lower blood pressure, and overall improvement in well-being.
Reframe Your Limitations
While the concept of sabbatical or long-term vacations is quite common in many countries, the U.S. lags behind in embracing extended breaks. Yet, there's a rising awareness of the benefits of taking more extended periods off work for mental health. So, when planning, consider pushing the boundaries of what you initially felt comfortable taking.
Mindful time off is not just a self-indulgence; it's a career strategy and a lifestyle choice that aligns with the goals of successful, ambitious female entrepreneurs. By mastering the art of resting with the best, you're not only setting yourself up for a transformative break but also laying the groundwork for more robust, mindful professional engagements in the future. You owe it to yourself to live your best life, both in and out of the boardroom.
Recharge, refocus, and return as the high-performing entrepreneur you aspire to be!