In this episode of One Next Step, Tricia and I talk to busy leaders about the importance of taking time off.
Too many leaders and business owners go so hard that they don’t take time for themselves.
Tricia and I will help leaders understand why vacation time is so important, both mentally and physically. And we’ll explain some strategies and techniques leaders can use to help them implement healthy processes that allow them to get away.
Here are some takeaways we shared:
1. Many leaders have a false sense of ego.
Most people have guilt that tells them they can’t step away because they have to be there for their team for the work to get done. As leaders, we tell ourselves that we have to do it because nobody else can do it.
But we have news for you: The business isn’t going to fall apart if you aren’t there!
Too many might take a day or two, but they can’t fathom taking a week off because they think the place isn’t going to survive without them. What kind of company are you running if it’s going to fall apart if you’re not there?
On the flip side, many leaders also have so much fun doing what they do that it’s because of this they don’t want to take a break and not work.
An addiction to your job is unhealthy. You have to remember that it’s not sustainable to always be working.
2. Some people won't let go of things because they like to feel important and needed.
That’s not healthy. It prevents you from being able to disconnect because you’ve created an environment where you’re needed. But the goal should be the opposite.
Create an environment where the team doesn’t need you all the time and put others in place to succeed.
You have to start trusting other people to execute your vision. And if they can’t do this, you may not be communicating what the vision and ‘why’ is clearly or frequently enough. You must be communicating this often – and well.
When you create an environment where you’re needed, you become incapable of disconnecting and taking time off. Ideally, the goal is to create an environment where you are not needed. When you create a team that doesn’t need you, that is the ticket to great leadership.
3. Things that don't get planned and scheduled don't get done.
Many leaders have to put things on the schedule to make sure they take care of them later. Plan what it looks like to be on vacation, so you can be present for the people you care about while you’re gone.
When you schedule your days off, you hold yourself accountable to actually take the Paid Time Off as opposed to Pretend Time Off.
You owe it to yourself and the people around you to be present when you’re on vacation, and intentionality and planning can help make this happen. You may even consider putting down a deposit so you have a financial incentive.
Because let’s face it: Weekends are not long enough.
It’s important to take the time where you can shut off and get things done, whether that’s running errands or meeting a friend for lunch.