April has arrived, and whilst the world feels topsy turvy right now with chocolate eggs, oil price fiasco, and world leadership looking more unorganised and childish than a school nursery it’s no wonder, I am taking comfort sitting in my garden with the birds singing. Although it’s not completely silent with my 3-year-old practising cutting the grass with full noise effects added to the experience. But whilst he’s enjoying himself, Grim, my trusty shadow cat, and I are sitting watching him happily as I type this.
Good Friday is nearly upon us and whilst I am not religious, I am taking some time off this Easter to spend with the family. It’s been an interesting few months and we can safely say we are glad the sun is back (or at least its not raining). Before we tuck into those chocolate eggs, I wanted discuss something that all business owners face at some point in their journey. I am of course talking about taking a break, and do we actually take them?
Business owners often fall into two categories: 1. The Martyrs, and 2. The regiments breakers. I think it’s safe to say we know exactly what they mean, and I hope you are or do fall into category 2. But it isn’t always easy to create a boundary when you come from the corporate world and you are used to following holiday procedures, something I will honestly hold my hands up to and say I struggled with it.
I mean, the idea of taking time off feels more like:
- You feel guilty for taking time off
- You want to please the client but also want to meet with friends more regularly.
- You find yourself working most evenings as you want “catch up”, missing the vital adults-only talk/ relaxing time in the evenings.
I have done all of these, and it’s taken me quite a long time to get used to the fact, that I can still meet the demands of the client even with having some time off. Now with 5 years of business under my belt, I am more relaxed about taking time off. I won’t lie and say there isn’t a work schedule in place to make sure I have everything listed by deadline (I can’t help it, I am a VA). My clients are all like me in wanting the freedom to do more and not sit locked to a computer all day. I mean, the dream was sold to us as more freedom, right? And before you come at me, I know there will be times when you simply can’t due to commitments or tight deadlines and that’s fine you can make up for it later on. For me, that’s generally school holidays and childcare cover.
It’s fine for me to be rattling on about breaks, but let’s discuss the benefits of these breaks that you do need. And why you should start implementing them in your daily routine as soon as possible.
Creativity
Creativity always strikes when you least expect it, and not when you’re glued to your screen for 4 hours straight. Taking a break allows you to find interesting ideas for your clients jobs, your own media, or to simply figure out what you should do next. Now that spring has arrived, I would take advantage of the weather, so grab your brew, dog, cat, or child if you have one and get outside. For me, I am in the midst of growing plants for the summer, and I usually get lost in thought while playing in the dirt. I mean, if I don’t come in with filthy hands, what have I been doing?
Alternatively, if you find ideas come more randomly and not in one place, set up a list in notes on your phone or if you’re on the analogue passage, the noble notepad and pen, is your friend. I mean, showers and cars seem to be the other places I hear a lot about for people’s places of inspiration. So get away from the computer and find your creativity.
Refreshing your mindset
Ever have one of those days when it’s all work, work, work, and you don’t have the head space for anything else? Yes, I got the t-shirt and box of cookies with it! Just like creativity, you need a break to allow yourself to breathe and take notice of what else is going on around you. Tight deadlines can be a nightmare for this, but having an goal at the end is a good way to drive you on.
I have noticed when I am muddling over a work task, I can be rather grumpy (I know, you wouldn’t think it!), but a trip to the local forest, playground or even down the bottom of my garden can make a big difference to my mood. It’s during these times that I stop, put down all tools, and just focus on the moment. These breaks are vital to giving me the push I need to come back to my computer later with a fresh head and ideas, as I haven’t been stuck looking at screen.
If you don’t do this often enough, I urge you to start. Seriously, not only does it help with your mood (your family will thank you), but it helps you recenter your flow for work. We had 2 months with minimal sun, so get out as much as possible and put down the tools for work. You may actually find you work faster later as you have the solution.
Give your body a rest
Have you got to the end of the work week and literally just wanted to sleep? Your body is fighting you as you want to stay up late, but your legs are twitching more steps than the cancan. It’s a running joke in our house, but it’s my husband who has the dancing legs from the long hours he does in the week. If you continue to ignore your body and aches, you will certainly make yourself ill. I know the diehard workaholics will say you can sleep when you’re dead, but you are pushing yourself that way quicker than you realise. As a mum with a 3-year-old, I know I am useless without sleep, and after having a baby who would only sleep whilst in contact with me, it was beyond exhausting.
For parents, I feel you with juggling work and childcare; it’s a never-ending job. Although I am often told being a parent is the most rewarding job in the world (it doesn’t feel like it when your child is still singing at 3 am and you just want to sleep). Whilst I can take the admin pain away, I can’t help when your child is up at silly o’clock. So please do rest when you can, if it means taking the night off to go to bed at a decent time, do it!
Please do listen to your body, you only get one, and you are not replaceable.
Now I have got that off my chest, and delve into the M&S Easter tin that’s got my name on it, I hope this has given you some food for thought, as whilst I love supporting my clients I really don’t want them to be ill over work. We live in a world where productivity and results are key, and drilled into us at a young age, but we often neglect ourselves. I hope that reading this gives you a push towards taking a break more often, and not just this Easter, and should you need help with your admin you know to reach out to a trusty VA like myself.
Have a lovely Easter break, and I hope you get a break soon.
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