Make Time to Take Time
As Entrepreneurs We Want To Be The Boss Of Our Own Schedule
We all end up as entrepreneurs for different reasons. But one goal we have in common is to be the boss of our own schedule, and have flexibility with our time. We soon find out that this is not as simple as waving a magic wand. It takes planning, strategy and execution of necessary actions.
As an entrepreneur, being intentional and having a strategy in place to run my business has given me the gift of having the type of holidays I always wanted.
I personally have always loved and looked forward to the Christmas holidays. I come from a big Italian family that spends a lot of time together during this season. Even when I lived a plane flight away, I always managed to get home and make the time for these traditions.
Then I found myself working in corporate, having to work the next day after major holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas. My supervisor would try to convince me that expecting me to work was a good thing. They would tell me that "all the higher-ups are taking off and you're the only one we can trust to be here and make sure things are going smoothly."
That “trust” never really translated into a salary increase for competency or reliability. I know it was just a manipulative and underhanded compliment.
As you can imagine, I hated getting up and going to work on those days, knowing that my family was all together, and that I couldn’t be cozied up at home in my jammies, sipping hot chocolate by the fire. But I’m thankful for those days that showed me the value of being with those I love most at the times I wanted to be there. It made my personal priorities crystal clear.
For the past 20 years, I have worked for myself, and taken off those holiday times when my kids are home, family is around, and I can be on my couch enjoying a cup of hot soup and a good book in front of the lights on my Christmas tree. I have been there every year to watch my kids grow up, enjoying those magical times.
I am just about to close up shop and take off for two weeks. I’ll spend time with my husband and my five boys, with my parents, siblings and their families, and friends. And I did not need anyone’s permission to do so.
Use Processes, Systems And Planning To Enjoy Time Off
Because I work for myself, I get to design the life I want. I intentionally scheduled this time off, then using processes, systems and planning, I got everything done I needed to so that I know I don’t have to worry about work while I am enjoying the season.
And this is why I help other entrepreneurs design the business they want. They often have so many ideas but not necessarily a way to organize them and get things done to bring those ideas to fruition. I show them how to set and achieve their goals, then put the structure and routines in place to get their stuff done, so they too can have both the business they want, and time off to be with loved ones during the holidays.
If this is how you’d like this time of year to be for you, or any other time when you’d like to take time off, schedule a call with me to see how we can accomplish that.
P.S. Ready to stop spinning in place and get to the other side of your goals? Here are several ways I can help:
Download my free weekly planning guide - it will help you become more intentional with your time, develop a clear action plan for your week, and ensure that you are focusing on activities that will move your business forward - Download Now
Join our next CEO Power Planning Session and spend two and a half hours ON your business. During this facilitated workshop, you’ll set and prioritize your next 12-week goals, break them down into an executable action plan and create a resource plan - Join the Wait List
Apply for the next Close the Gap Program and stay on track to achieve your most important goals. 1:1 support and guidance on prioritizing goals, creating a plan and putting structure and routines in place. Then 12 weeks of group support around execution - Apply today