It's that time of year when everyone is talking about their vacation, where they're going or have been, and how great it was to unplug and unwind. But for many entrepreneurs, vacations are just armchair dreams. Oftentimes a small business owner has way too much work on their plate with all those seemingly neverending tasks and constant hustle, leaving little room for relaxation or vacation.

It's true that entrepreneurship requires dedication and hard work, but the notion that starting your own business completely erases your vacation time is a misconception. In fact, being the master of your own destiny can offer a unique opportunity to craft a lifestyle that incorporates both work and leisure in a balanced way. By embracing smart strategies and leveraging the advantages of entrepreneurship, you can maintain a fulfilling personal life and enjoy well-deserved breaks without compromising the success of your business.

Plan in Advance

Honestly, If you really want to take time off, you need to plan for it in advance. You’ll need to prepare not only yourself to rest and relax but prepare your business to run without you for short periods of time.
The more you set up your business to be hands-off, the more likely you’ll be able to take the time you need without adversely affecting your business. That may include automation, outsourcing, and other technology that makes business and life much more straightforward.

Postpone, automate, or delegate

Rule #1 - Everything you do doesn’t have to keep going while you’re on vacation or taking a day off.

Some things are helpful, such as a quick email scan or checking in on social media with your audience, but for the most part, they can stop for a while without any detrimental effects

Social media, for example, can be postponed until you get back; what is the worse that will happen? Maybe a slight dip in your analytics, but nothing you can't recover from. Better yet, you can set up pre-scheduled content to appear on your social media platform with automated managers such as Sendible. This is a great tool because you can set up and schedule the day and time you want them to release!