As business owners, we all know we need to take a break from time to time. But the idea of stepping away can feel risky. There’s a constant question running in the background – what if something goes wrong while I’m not there? What if no one steps up? Or worse, what if the whole business stalls without me?
But there’s another, far more critical question we should be asking: What if taking a break actually strengthens the business? The ability to step away isn’t a luxury; it’s a measure of how sustainable and well-structured your business really is.
Of course, it’s not as simple as walking out the door and switching off. If there’s no plan in place, no systems built, and no one trained to take the lead, your break is likely to turn into a problem. That’s why stepping away successfully starts long before the holiday begins. It begins with how you build your business, especially how you build your team.
Hiring someone with the right skills is only part of the equation. What you really want is someone who gets your mission, believes in the vision, and is inspired to work towards the same goals. That kind of hire doesn’t just do the job, they take ownership of outcomes. And when someone takes ownership, you gain the confidence to let go, even temporarily.
But confidence isn’t built in theory. It comes through practice. If you’re nervous about leaving your business in someone else’s hands, you’re not alone, and chances are, the person you’re leaving in charge feels the same. The key is to start small. Give someone a few hours of responsibility. Let them feel what it’s like to lead. Rotate this across your team. Build their experience and your trust in parallel. Then debrief. Refine the process. Try again. This kind of rehearsal is what makes a successful break possible.
And let’s not forget, you need the break too. We understand that employees need to rest, often capped at 38.5 hours per week, to ensure they stay sharp. But as business owners, we often push ourselves far beyond that without pause. The result? Stale thinking, short tempers, and poor decisions. Your business needs you to be fresh, focused, and creative. That only happens when you allow yourself space to reset.
So the goal isn’t just a break. It’s building a business that works even when you’re not there. When you do that, the business becomes a true asset – something sustainable, resilient, and capable of growth without being dependent on you every moment of the day.
You may not be able to walk out the door today. But you can begin preparing today. Start by hiring well, building systems, and letting your team practice. Then, when the time comes, you’ll take that break knowing the business won’t just survive, it will continue to thrive.
If that sounds like a plan worth building, I’m here to help. Let’s map out what you need to put in place so you can take a real break, without breaking the business.
Highlights
- 00:00 The Importance of Taking a Break
- 00:28 Planning for a Smooth Break
- 00:54 Hiring the Right Personnel
- 01:52 Training and Practising for Absence
- 02:09 The Fear of Leaving the Business
- 02:26 Gradual Steps to Ensure Readiness
- 03:06 The Necessity of Breaks for Everyone
- 03:43 Long-term Benefits of Taking a Break
