As summer starts winding down, many business owners are looking at their calendars and realizing that if they don't take time off now, it may be a while before another opportunity comes along.
But here's the interesting part: taking time off isn't usually the problem.
Actually relaxing is.
You finally step away from the business. The out-of-office is on. The laptop is closed. Yet your mind is still running through client issues, team challenges, cash flow concerns, and everything waiting for you when you get back.
There's actually a term for this: Freizeitstress, a German word that means "the stress of free time."
For many business owners, work provides structure, purpose, and a constant stream of problems to solve. When that suddenly disappears, it's easy to feel restless. We tell ourselves we're just checking one email or looking at one report, and before we know it, we're right back at work.
I've seen this happen with a lot of business owners. Vacation becomes another project. Every day is planned. Every activity is scheduled. Even relaxation turns into something we try to optimize.
The problem is that being away from work doesn't automatically mean you're recovering from work.
So, if you're lucky enough to get some time away before the busy season kicks back in, I'd encourage you to ask yourself three simple questions:
Who am I outside of my business?
When your identity is tied to being the owner, leader, or problem-solver, it's worth asking who you are when nobody needs anything from you. Make time for something you enjoy that has absolutely nothing to do with productivity.
What deserves more of my attention?
Distance creates perspective. Often, time away helps us see which relationships, priorities, and goals have been pushed aside because something more urgent always showed up.
What needs to change when I return?
Don't create a 20-point life improvement plan. Pick one thing. Delegate something. Protect time for strategic thinking. Stop checking email after a certain hour. Small changes tend to stick.
The biggest takeaway? Leave some space unfilled.
Not every minute needs to be productive. Not every vacation needs an itinerary. Sometimes the best thing you can do is slow down long enough to think.
The best leaders aren't the ones who stay busy all the time. They're the ones who step back often enough to gain perspective.
So if you're looking at the calendar and thinking this may be your last chance to take some time off, take it.
Your business will benefit from a rested owner. More importantly, so will the people who matter most to you.
I recently came across an article in the Daily Herald by leadership expert Rob Cross about the German concept of Freizeitstress, or the stress of free time. It got me thinking about how many business owners struggle to truly disconnect, and it inspired this week's thoughts.
But here's the interesting part: taking time off isn't usually the problem.
Actually relaxing is.
You finally step away from the business. The out-of-office is on. The laptop is closed. Yet your mind is still running through client issues, team challenges, cash flow concerns, and everything waiting for you when you get back.
There's actually a term for this: Freizeitstress, a German word that means "the stress of free time."
For many business owners, work provides structure, purpose, and a constant stream of problems to solve. When that suddenly disappears, it's easy to feel restless. We tell ourselves we're just checking one email or looking at one report, and before we know it, we're right back at work.
I've seen this happen with a lot of business owners. Vacation becomes another project. Every day is planned. Every activity is scheduled. Even relaxation turns into something we try to optimize.
The problem is that being away from work doesn't automatically mean you're recovering from work.
So, if you're lucky enough to get some time away before the busy season kicks back in, I'd encourage you to ask yourself three simple questions:
Who am I outside of my business?
When your identity is tied to being the owner, leader, or problem-solver, it's worth asking who you are when nobody needs anything from you. Make time for something you enjoy that has absolutely nothing to do with productivity.
What deserves more of my attention?
Distance creates perspective. Often, time away helps us see which relationships, priorities, and goals have been pushed aside because something more urgent always showed up.
What needs to change when I return?
Don't create a 20-point life improvement plan. Pick one thing. Delegate something. Protect time for strategic thinking. Stop checking email after a certain hour. Small changes tend to stick.
The biggest takeaway? Leave some space unfilled.
Not every minute needs to be productive. Not every vacation needs an itinerary. Sometimes the best thing you can do is slow down long enough to think.
The best leaders aren't the ones who stay busy all the time. They're the ones who step back often enough to gain perspective.
So if you're looking at the calendar and thinking this may be your last chance to take some time off, take it.
Your business will benefit from a rested owner. More importantly, so will the people who matter most to you.
I recently came across an article in the Daily Herald by leadership expert Rob Cross about the German concept of Freizeitstress, or the stress of free time. It got me thinking about how many business owners struggle to truly disconnect, and it inspired this week's thoughts.
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