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Recharging as an Entrepreneur

Taking time off is something that entrepreneurs are not good at. Just this week I had planned a single day off as a revitalization day and when I noticed my schedule, I realized that was not going to be possible. So I moved it. We’re always moving our vacations, our time off, out just one more week. Until we get to the end of the year and realize we have taken no time off!

But quality reflective and restorative time is good for our businesses – and our employees like us better when we return! I’ll share with you some helpful ideas our clients have taught us over the years:

Rather than taking actual business work with you, which you can delegate to your team, bring a journal or sketchpad with you and focus on a few key things. Consider the top fives likes you currently have about your business, clients and work (your work as defined by what your role is in the company.) Think about the top five wishes you currently have about your business, clients and work.

After you have compiled your top five lists, do the following with each item: Identify what on the likes list you can have your company do more of. Identify what on the wish list your company can initiate. Identify someone on your team or on the outside that you can tap to help you realize these wished and keep likes going.

Last and most important, set an action date for each item. Make these dates realistic but also challenge yourself to get them done.

Use the time on your vacation or days off to recharge by focusing in either on things that restore you or challenge you. Novelty is shown to foster excitement and feelings of renewal, so do something or go somewhere you’ve never been. Studies show that when we give, we generate a lot of happy body chemicals, so pursue a volunteer project that takes you out of your comfort zone. Stepping slightly out of your comfort zone allows you to appreciate it when you return. For this reason, if you’re an introvert, schedule a day to be with people. If you’re an extrovert, schedule one day to be alone.

But to get to any of these, first you have to schedule it! Break out that calendar and schedule the time.