When is the best time to take a vacation?

You need vacation time. You know that already.

But when is the best time for you to take vacation?

You might think one of these is the right answer:

(A) When things are slow or you have no demanding

projects demanding your full attention

(B) Once you’ve saved some extra money

break (if you have kids)

(D) When your spouse/partner wants to take a break

(if you have a significant other)

(E) All of the above

(F) Other [this is a trick question]

But, actually (F) Other is the correct answer.

This is a trick question! [This is my post, so

I get to make the rules.]

To be more specific, the correct answer

really is:

(G) Before you need a break

Why?

You are your business.

If you’re stressed out, tired, and struggling to

keep things together, consider what effects this

is having on your business, your clients, your

growth potential.

I was reminded of this last week, when I hit the

wall.

(Yes, even I have my limits. My often too-high

expectations of what I can accomplish within a

certain time frame push me to those limits. I am

often reminded of who I used to be in my

consulting days – as my dear friend Julia once

said “you can take the girl out of corporate, but

you can’t take the corporate out of the girl.”)

These past few weeks, I’ve been pushing pushing

pushing to get all the supplemental resources for

my new book finished and put up online. And even

though I was getting many signs that I needed to

let go of my own internally-imposed deadline… the

video editors were behind schedule, my assistant

was on her own vacation and could not help me

until she returned, and my Word program

mysteriously seemed to have a break-down each time

I tried to launch it… it wasn’t until my own coach

said: “you know, it probably doesn’t make sense to

talk about what’s next for your business until you

take a day off – you sound exhausted.”

And there it was. Everything laid out before me to

support me in taking this day off. I’d already

asked my sons’ former babysitter to do some work

for me the next day – and she was more than happy

to step back into the nanny role for a day. I had

no other fixed commitments other than drop-off and

pick-up for my older son. An unread fiction book

called my name from the bookshelf in my living

room. And one of my go-to massage therapists

texted me back to say “yes, I have an opening at

11:30.”

Building on last week’s post about

what makes expert entrepreneurs so successful,

it’s important to ASK for this time off – ideally

before you need it – in the following ways:

(1) First and foremost, give yourself permission

to take a break regularly – a personal day, a

vacation day, a mental health day, whatever you

call it – ideally once a month or more if you can

swing it.

[In fact, I’m building one of these into

my new Fall schedule twice monthly and I can’t

wait to enjoy the fun and freedom on those

Fridays.]

(2) Take these breaks before you need it – or if

you’re already past that point, then right away.

Remember: one of the benefits of having your own

business is that you make your own hours!

(3) Be open with those around you – let them

know you’re exhausted, mentally depleted, have no

creative juice left, etc, and that you’d love

their support. Be a role model to your clients,

customers, colleagues, and children.

What kind of person is going to say no to you

taking better care of yourself?

(4) When you do take time off, turn off your smart

phone and leave your laptop/tablet at the office.

Unplug fully to melt stress, have fun, and

recharge. Do something fun. Go somewhere you’ve

always wanted to go. Read a book you’ve been

thinking of for months.

Then, return to work with more energy, vitality,

and fresh ideas to reinvigorate your business and

those who work with you.

(5) Take note of all the benefits that come from

you taking a physical and mental break. Ask others

what they notice is different about you upon your

return. Write down all these observations.

And, refer back to that list next time you’re wondering

if you can “afford” to take a break from your busy

life.

(6) Read the third chapter “Own Your Calendar So

It Doesn’t Own You” in my soon-to-be-released book

to learn more about how to build vacation time

into your schedule and invite others to support

you in doing so.

Recharge, Refuel, and Re-energize: Your Guide to

Taking Back Control of Your

Time and Energy will be released within days –

I can’t wait to share it with you!

If you’re still saying it’s “not the right time,”

“can’t justify the expense,” “next year,” or “my

[……. fill in the blank …..] are counting on me,”

then consider this…

Do you invest as much in YOU, your well-being, and

your development as you do in your office equipment?

your telecom expenses? your accountant? your vehicles?

You can’t run your business without them, and you

certain can’t run your business without you.

For you – and by extension your business – to be

successful, you need to perform at your optimal

level. And if you’re expecting better results from

operating in the same old way, then it might just

be time for a change in your thinking and your

“same ol’ way of doing business.”

I invite you to join me for the ultimate vacation

– one that can be written off as professional

development for your business – to Bali. This

year’s performance breakthrough retreat is October

26 through November 5, and only one month remains

until registration closes.

Why Bali?

• Completely unplug and relax to a deeper level

than you’ve experienced in years – maybe decades

• Wipe clean your slate and let go of the bad

habits and thought patterns that are holding you

back

• Further clarify and recommit to your vision –

for your life and your business

• Discover the Eastern practices that will get you

back on track and keep you there, and

• Come back fully recharged and ready to take

your performance and your business to the next

level.

More details here.

Erin