For many business owners and professionals, the thought of taking a day off seems very unrealistic, even impossible. There will always be more to do, more emails, phone calls, and clients to serve. Even employees who usually receive some paid vacation often hesitate because of the backlog they will face when they return. Frequently when asked, the comment is “I would hate the backlog of work I’d come back to”. As a result, vacation days are unused which often means productivity slowly and silently declines as burnout creeps in. Yet if we had to do something truly urgent that came up, we would get it done, we would find a way, find the time and resources necessary to make it happen.
What stops us from taking time off?
The belief that we can’t take time off is often because it is rooted in some kind of habit and not in reality. Like Pavlov’s dog, we become conditioned to our normal routine and daily environment. The daily triggers move us from one task to another and overtime this becomes an automated behavior. Ironically, the workplace itself can be the biggest culprit of inefficiency.
Studies show that the average workday is filled with distractions such as emails, meetings, and interruptions. Social media and Apps are just thirsty time sucks most often. It is easy to see why the day can slip by and little progress is actually made. I like to take time out, away from the normal work environment and work remotely from somewhere else.
Why stepping away actually makes us more productive
When I remove myself from my usual work environment, I like to reflect on progress, opportunities and challenges away from the regular distractions. When I remove myself from my usual environment I focus more intentionally and see things differently. One time I remember just going into the back garden and then observing what I could learn from the squirrels that were around me. I left my phone in the house and set myself free for an hour while I had lunch. I ended up writing a blog about low hanging fruit, just by observing what was around me and being present.
We can reconnect from a different location, even if it is just the back garden, a park or even taking a long weekend away. Simply block off an afternoon and see where it takes you. It creates the space for strategic thinking, problem solving and it brings new energy. I know some people have said that they feel guilty taking time away, yet frequently they have been more productive because the day-to-day distractions aren’t in their sight. They enjoyed the location, also enjoying the work and feeling as if they really did take a break. Surely this could help with employee retention, not just productivity.
You really can
Do we want to do this every week? No, we don’t because this would then be the normal work environment. I challenge those who say they can’t possibly take time off or away to understand that you really can. Whether you are looking for a vacation, or to work remotely or combine both, it comes down to planning and discipline.
The real problem
When people struggle to take time off, it is usually self-management, not time management. Self-management can be poor prioritization, a lack of structure or overcommitment which leads to a very heavy, overwhelming workload.
Sometimes we aren’t aware of technology and other useful tools designed to save time and streamline work. If we don’t know they exist we miss out on efficiency gains. A good way to check and keep up to date is simply an internet search every now and then as well as keeping up to date with current trends with the chosen profession.
It’s important to take time to create systems as a lack of systems creates bottlenecks and often makes stepping away feel impossible. A growing business my need to change systems often as they outgrow the way things are done.
Will revenue be lost?
Taking time off doesn’t mean sacrificing income or even falling behind. It just requires planning. I often drive to Denver and as long as I plan my trip, I can work remotely from Denver when I get there. I find when I do this I am away from the regular distractions and find an increase in ideas and creativity, which often leads to increased revenue or services and much better for our clients. This is proactive planning.
6 Tips to Reclaim Time and Be Profitable
Reclaim your time without causing stress. Start with intension and take baby steps.
1. Know the numbers- start with clarity. Know exactly how much income needs to be generated each week or day to cover all expenses and have some profit. Break down the information so you know which products or services are sold, how many clients and the average value. This will help to determine the workload and understand what needs to be achieved before you take any time off.
2. Delegate to others. This can dramatically reduce workload if systems and training are in place. What can someone else do better? What is some of the low value work?
3. Begin taking time off in manageable time frames. Start off with taking time when the business is slower. Start by just coming in later, leaving earlier and then expand on that. Working remotely too is an option to start the transition. Plan on doing something fun rather than a dental appointment!
4. Block time to work on the business. Create structure and development. Plan the week or month in advance and then stick to the plan as much as possible.
5. Understand that disruptions occur. When planning the time, understand that if you’re a customer-oriented business, time will be needed to actually talk and take care of customers. When I coached a ER department of a hospital it was important to understand that everyday everything had to be dropped to save a life. Did that mean they didn’t have goals, quality control and compliance to work with as well. If 80% of the day is customer centric don’t expect to be able to fill the day with goals that can’t be met, this is a setting yourself up for failure. Be realistic with what is possible.
6. Wasted time occurs when there is a lack of clarity around project management. The end result is important. Work on the possible red flags and work as a team to identify time
constraints. When doing a time and motion study with a trades company we found that the job could be easily done with a reduction of 15 minutes off each job. This gave 6 extra days. That sounds like a vacation, or another job. This simple analysis led to them being very profitable.
Just do it
Taking time away from work isn’t a luxury, it’s an investment for you and the company. Step back to improve mental clarity, surely this way burn out won’t be a problem. By stepping away and thinking, it reduces stress and enables better decision making, because there has been an opportunity to gain perspective of the situations, away from the distractions and daily grind. You’ll make better decisions, enjoy the work more and be recharged. So, whether it is an afternoon, a long weekend or working somewhere else just go ahead and do it.