Running a business is a lot of work and some days feel like one more thing will push you over the edge. We rarely take time for ourselves in this hectic, always-on world.
“Even with an insatiable drive to be the best, successful entrepreneurs know that they too must take breaks and recharge their batteries to continue to grow their businesses,” says Matthew Swyers, contributor to Inc.
You can't continue at breakneck speed and expect to stay happy and productive.
We’ve seen the studies that show people are more productive at work when they don't eat at their desks, and the same logic applies to longer times away from the office. Sometimes our best ideas or moments of clarity come when we are disconnected.
But how do you get away from it all? Swyers shares his thoughts.
How to Recharge Your Batteries
There isn't a one-size-fits-all when leaders need to recharge their battery. “For some personality types, mine included, the stress of being completely out of touch with the office would diminish any benefit from stepping away,” says Swyers. This doesn't mean you should check or respond to email, but just the ability to be in contact can be beneficial for those types of personalities. Other types might find it more beneficial to completely disconnect and take time away from the office.
The most difficult thing is to actually take a break. Take the time to sit down and schedule the time off. Swyers says the best option is to book a trip where you have to purchase airfare or some other means of transportation. It “requires an affirmative act to get on a plane, train, or boat on someone else’s schedule,” he says. If you take a “staycation” you’re more likely to pop in the office, so eliminate that possibility.
Do it again, and again. You have something to look forward to when you plan things in advance. “So even when you are in the midst of a vacation recharging your batteries there is nothing wrong with thinking about your next vacation,” says Swyers. Schedule yearly vacations to make sure your batteries don’t wear out.
“Every so often even the most driven of us need to step away to relax. In turn, when we come back we are more focused and ready to tend to the tasks at hand,” says Swyers. It’s natural for a leader’s battery to be drained, but we can do the things necessary to recharge our lives and leadership.
What helps you recharge your batteries?
