By: David Ormerod, MBA, SCORE Small Business Counselor and Agent, NYLife Securities
LLC
Choosing to go into business for you is a major decision that usually means a commitment
to hard work and long hours. As you struggle to build your business, however, you
also must be careful not to overdo it and succumb to business owner burnout. It’s
vital to take some time off to recharge your personal batteries.
But there’s a problem. Many business owners are afraid to leave, even for a short
period. They fear that something will go wrong or they’ll miss out on that next
big opportunity. With so much to do, how can an entrepreneur ever relax?
According to a survey conducted by American Express, 40 percent of the smallest
business owners—those with less than $200,000 in annual revenues—plan no vacation
time whatsoever in any given year. And even those who do schedule a break never
really get away. One of every three link vacation time to a business trip and half
will check in with the office at least once a day, if not several times.
According to the AmEx survey, these are the vacation-blocking concerns cited most
often by business owners:
- There is no other competent person to leave in charge and others will make the
wrong decisions.
- An important client or customer will not receive appropriate service.
- The business will miss a new opportunity.
- An operational breakdown will occur without anyone to solve the problem.
Despite these concerns, you can schedule a refreshing getaway with some careful
advance planning. For example, draw up a list of worst-case scenarios and brief
those in charge on the possibilities and chief concerns of each customer.
Tell key clients or customers in advance of any extended time away you are planning.
Introduce your stand-ins and express your confidence in their ability to handle
any issues that may arise. If you never delegate important tasks to others at your
business, you can’t expect them to fill your shoes when you take time off. To create
a saner schedule for yourself, and achieve a comfort level that good things will
happen when you’re not there, learning to delegate responsibilities is vital.
For more small business management ideas, contact SCORE "Counselors to America's
Small Business." SCORE is a nonprofit organization of more than 10,500 volunteer
business counselors who provide free, confidential business counseling and training
workshops to small business owners. Call the Greater Woodinville Chamber of Commerce
at (425) 481-8300, or 1-800/634-0245 for the SCORE chapter nearest you, or find
a counselor online at www.score.org.