As an entrepreneur, you probably have high hopes when it comes to time off during the holidays. But, like most of us, you probably find it next to impossible to relax and step away from your business. We understand how difficult it can be to carve out a little time for yourself but after many years of trial and error, we have developed a few strategies that can help you take a little time to recharge and renew.
Let us know what you think of our 5 tips for busy entrepreneurs during the holidays and what works best for you.
i. Plan, plan and plan some more. The best way to be able to take some time off is to plan for it. If you haven’t started automating your office tasks yet, now is a good time to start. Processing payroll, paying bills and setting employee schedules can be easily streamlined through automated systems and it only takes a few minutes to set holiday email auto responses, schedule social media posts and create custom voicemail messages.
ii. Delegate and ask for help from your employees. If there are certain tasks that need to be managed while you are gone, give that opportunity to a high-level or trusted employee. Your staff will gladly step up and take on that extra responsibility to give you a chance to get away and by expanding their duties, you’ll have more time to enjoy the holidays.
iii. Communicate your expectations to your employees. Be clear on what you need done while you are away and what issues may necessitate a call if they are unable to handle it on their own. Communicating your expectations for holiday hours and projects ensures you are all on the same page on what needs to get done.
iv. Go Virtual. If you don’t feel you can really step away for an extended amount of time, consider utilizing mobile apps to stay in touch. This allows you to check email, inventory, sales and even employees while away from the office. Some of our most used apps include Google Hangouts for office communication, Ring Central for managing business calls, FB Pages or Hootsuite for social media management, Quickbooks online and Jira for app development.
v. Set boundaries for yourself. This is probably the most important tip. Being overworked is often your own fault. If you have a hard time saying no, or setting clear boundaries, then now is a good time to start. When you are with your family be present with them and enjoy those moments. But, set aside an hour a day to check your email and business apps and then stick to that schedule. This allows you to keep up with what is happening at your business but shouldn’t disrupt your holiday.
We hope these 5 tips for busy entrepreneurs will help you during the holidays and give you some ideas on how to create a good work life balance. Remember, if you continue to deplete your mental resources, you won’t be as productive as you can be and your problem solving skills will decline. While taking a break is hard, it is vital to the success of your business and your health. So, give it a try and implement a few of these tips and enjoy the Holidays!
About Webb Technology Group
Webb Technology Group is a certified Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), LGBT Business Enterprise (LGBTBE), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE), and an SBA Certified 8(a) firm specializing in mobile application development and responsive web technology solutions for minority, women-owned businesses and government agencies. Their core competencies include app development, responsive website design and social media management. Learn more at www.webbtechnologygroup.com