Taking Time Off as a Business Owner
Raise your hand if being a business owner makes you feel like you never get a break.
As business owners, we often feel like we need to be constantly available and “on” at all times.
Personally, I have struggled with the feeling that I can never take a break, even when it’s necessary for my well-being. I know I’m not alone, and neither are you.
Whether it’s a heavy caseload or projects that seem to continue to be placed on the back burner, not to mention life things, we may find it hard to carve out time for ourselves.
In today’s blog, I’ll take you through some tips to go about taking time off as a business owner, because you NEED time off, and you DESERVE time off, just like everybody else!
Burnout & Being a Business Owner
Not taking a break can lead to burnout over time. It may not happen overnight, but a gradual resentment toward work can develop.
The excitement for work diminishes, and feelings of overwhelm start to take hold. Procrastination become more common. Yes, this happens to everyone, including myself!
Through self-awareness and insight into how I work as a business owner, I’ve learned the importance of stepping back when I experience these signs. I owe a lot of this to my own business coaching, therapy, and my business friends!
Setting boundaries is crucial when taking time off. You don’t want to return to work feeling like your break wasn’t worth it.
Plan Your Time
When thinking about taking time off as a business owner, it’s important to plan your time well in advance.
Preferably, plan your time a few months ahead.
This will allow you to avoid scheduling project deadlines, launches, or any important tasks during this period or for two weeks after your vacation.
You don’t want to be thinking about a launch timeline when you’re supposed to be off of work!!
Notify Your Clients
Planning your time early on allows you to have plenty of time to notify your clients that you’ll be on vacation.
Notify your clients one month in advance that you’ll be on vacation during a specific period, and remind them again the week before you leave.
It’s okay to set boundaries that you won’t be available.
Remember, you’re running a business, and whatever it is CAN wait until you get back.
“Out of the Office” Message
Being a business owner means that you have to set boundaries with your clients. One of these boundaries is setting up an “out of the office” auto-reply message for your email, indicating that you’ll respond to messages upon your return. Provide the date you’ll be returning, and I’m sure they’ll be understanding.
When have you ever sent an email and received an “out of the office” email and been upset that they cannot respond sooner? Probably never! People truly understand and value time off, so don’t be afraid to communicate with them that you’re taking a vacation.
The communication in the email makes it clear to your clients when you’ll be gone, and that you didn’t miss their email, you’ll just get back to it when you return.
You may also want to update your voicemail to reflect this if you have patients or clients who typically call.
Give Yourself a “Grace Day”
Give yourself a “grace day” on your first day back at work. Block a few hours on your calendar on your first day back to “catch up” before officially returning to work.
Seriously, you don’t want to have the Sunday scaries on your last day of vacation!!
This can be applied to any normal workweek as well. It’s normal to have to take some extra time on a Monday to go through weekend emails, plan out your time, and prep for the week.
It’s totally okay to do this as a business owner. Not all your time can be client-facing work. You have to learn to build CEO time into your business, so you have blocked time to be a business owner, brainstorm new ideas, and take care of things behind the scenes.
Have Fun!
My #1 tip for being a business owner and taking time off is to have fun during your time off!
It sounds obvious, but it can be so easy for your mind to wander back to work when you’re on vacation.
It’s important to know yourself and what you want to get out of your time away. Do you need to relax and unwind? Do you need an adventure? A mix of both?
Think about this before you plan your next trip, and be intentional with what you’re going to do on your vacation.
Taking Time Off Works
Some of the best ideas happen after a vacation or time away from your laptop. It’s incredibly beneficial for your mental health to step away from everyday life, even if it’s just for a few days.
Taking a break, seeing something new, and going on adventures might be exactly what you need to spark your creativity, increase your motivation, and gain some perspective and clarity.
Many of the dietitians I work with in Business School struggle with taking time off. We want to know that if this is you too, you’re not alone.
Being a Business Owner & Taking Time Off: The Takeaway
You don’t have to be “on” at all times as a business owner, even if it feels that way.
Never taking time off is likely doing more harm than good, so maybe this is the push you need to schedule your next vacation!
Follow these tips for a smooth time away, without worrying about work while you’re gone:
- Plan your time
- Notify your clients
- “Out of the office” message
- Give yourself a “grace day”
- Have fun!!
Remember, taking time off works.
Want to work with me to build your private practice?
Business School is a comprehensive 6-month program designed to guide you through every stage of building a private practice: getting set up, seeing your first clients, growing until you’re fully booked, hiring a team, expanding your offers—and even learning how to coast when needed. Inside, you’ll follow a step-by-step curriculum with the flexibility to choose the path that fits your current stage of business and life. You’ll get access to advanced toolkits, templates, and systems for business topics like marketing and finances, but also for counseling skills and client support. Beyond the curriculum, you’re supported by personalized 1:1 coaching, weekly office hours, and monthly themes that address the real challenges of private practice. The program keeps you moving forward with built-in accountability that builds resilience and confidence so you feel like a legit business owner. Learn more and apply!
