As a freelancer and business owner, I don’t get paid if I’m not working. I’ve had a great work-ethic instilled in me, and I’ve been known to work seven days a week all day long.
I bet you can relate.
So what happens when we hit a wall or just get tired of working all the time? When our spouses or children compete for our attention? When we’re so burnt out that we aren’t working at 100 percent?
Well, if you’re like me, you hesitate.
Thoughts run through your head …
How can I possibly take a break – it means I won’t get paid!
When time off means a loss in pay, sometimes you have to force yourself to step away and really take a break from work – no matter what.
I’m not just talking about a day off where you still sort-of work because you can get emails via your phone and you’re still aware of what’s going on. I’m talking about total and complete disconnection.
Last week, I did just that. My husband and I went away for 48 hours to a remote ranch about an hour away from our house. There were no televisions, no phones, and no internet service. And absolutely no way to work. This would be the first time in my entire life that I’ve stepped away completely. Even when I went to China for two weeks in 2008, I still managed to work every other day or so. Yep. First. Time. Ever.
It was completely refreshing and just what I needed. I bet if you tried it, you’d enjoy it too. But, if you just can’t bring yourself to be away that long, here are some other ways to disconnect long enough to get refreshed and some tips on making sure you really disconnect.
1. If you take a day off from work – really take the time off.
Unplug your phone, shut down your computer, and don’t focus on anything work-related. Really and intentionally disconnect.
2. Schedule a spa day.
This can be with friends or without. But, we can’t very well be getting a massage and checking our email at the same time, now can we?
3. Think of your favorite activity, and then do it.
Pampering and treating yourself to an activity you enjoy can be just what you need to get yourself back in the mood to work.
4. Plan a family vacation.
Then, make a pact with your kids and spouse on when and how often you’ll work. Sometimes, we still have to work every day, but planning your time and letting your family know that you’ll respect the family time will help everyone feel better.
5. When is the last time you read a book for fun?
Not a business book, but a book just for pleasure. Try it – even if you only read for 30 minutes a day.
6. Get a feel for the right time.
Talk to your frequent clients about the best time to take off – this will let them in on the time you might take off and also help you feel better that you chose a wise time to be gone.
7. Work regular office hours.
Try and set more specific work hours – especially if you work anytime and all the time. This will help the relationship between you and your family and also give you daily time to disconnect.
Whatever you choose to do, remember that everyone needs to take time off to refresh. It’s the only way we can give 100 percent to any work we do. I encourage you to really, truly find at least a day to disconnect from it all – if you dare.
What do you think? Is it okay to take a break when you’re a freelancer or business owner? If so, how do you manage to disconnect and still run your business?
Harry
Angela – Not only is it ok to take a break, but it is imperative that you do so. Working on your own can be very exhausting. By not taking a break you end up doing more harm than good.
The thing is they don’t have to be long breaks. Even going out for a walk for 15 minutes can refresh you and you are able to concentrate better afterwards.
Haneef N Nelson
This is a very good post Angela for both the Work at Home and Office Professional. I see too many people who work for major corporations that carry around their “crackberries” (Blackberry Phone) and have it attached to their ear and thumbs for work purposes on their personal time and that just shouldn’t be. They even bring them with them on vacations. Everyone needs to unplug, take a break, and relax at some time so that they don’t get burned out and come to resent the very thing that they once said they loved to do.
Angela
That’s the key – what you said – people end up resented what they once loved to do because they aren’t taking breaks for themselves and they’re working 24/7. Good work ethic is one thing, but truly great work ethic means knowing when to take a break too. :) Thanks for your comments!
Maxine
If you work too much and don’t take time off (paid or not) you drive yourself to an early grave. You shouldn’t think of the “cost” of taking time off because the “cost” of not taking it is too much on your health. Of course everything has it’s limits. It’s vital to take the time to recharge because ultimately the time you take make work more enjoyable, manageable, productive and more satisfying. I’ve just lost my job and am deliberately taking time off (not searching for a job yet) and seeing this as a blessing. I’m not paid for it, everyday is “costing” me but if I relax a bit,when I do start back to work I will be better for it. As will my employer. Or am I just living in a dream wearing rose tinted glasses? ;-)
Angela
LOL. You’re not living life through rose-colored glasses. I did the same thing. After a personal loss, I took time off and then a job that didn’t require much from me specifically so that I COULD grieve/relax. So, that’s good too if you can manage it. But, you’re right… the ‘cost’ is worth it for our health. :)
Haneef N Nelson
Maxine you are definitely correct in what you had to say. I did the same thing a year ago when I was laid off. I took some deliberate time to not look for a job, enjoy time at home with my (at the time) 2 year old son and really gain a fresh perspective. It was well worth it. While it may have caused a “loss” in money, it decreased the “costs” associated with maintaining my health.
Mandy Robinson
I am really bad about not taking a break, but this is one reason I love my residual pay. I at least know I will be making some money when I do take off.
Heather Lopez
Hi Angela,
You and I think alike. Last week I posted a blog about this: http://heatherlopezenterprises.com/feeling-worn-down (Holly, Pls excuse me- just trying to add onto the topic). I think we forget to instill Boundaries between our personal and professional lives, especially when we work from home.
-Heather
Angela
We had things in common on my last post too (on Abbey’s site Living My Moment) – we must be kindred spirits! :)
Deanna
I too do not get paid if I don’t work. I’ve had to learn to be creative and flexible. If I want to take time off during the day, I simply build in time that evening or work longer another day. That gives me the flexibility to fit in a massage or time with my spouse on my terms. But if you work in a home office, it is absolutely essential to set boundaries so your work life doesn’t overflow into all hours of the day and night.
Angela
I agree – working from home is a LOT harder than people realize – and it IS work! Thanks for reading my post!
Hugh
I really appreciate the advice that you give here.
I have started many businesses from my home and have had to deal with the real implication of income lost from not working. However, creating a great ritual for rejuvenation will not only bring balance to your world, it will provide the perspective necessary for you to make the key decisions that create more money for you while you work and develop systems in your business. I believe many of us are in business for ourselves so that we can have freedom. Well, having the courage to explore that freedom by forcing yourself to get more efficient in the times that you do work, finding cost-effective ways to get your work done when you are not there, and rest by taking copious amounts of uninterrupted rejuvenating free time are the some of the ways to get there. I have written extensively on this topic on my blog at myconfidentsolution.com. I invite you to explore and give me your thoughts. Again, thanks for sharing and I hope you continue to have lots of rejuvenating free time.
Angela
Thanks Hugh! Nice to see a guy on here too. :) I think it must be a common thing amongst people that work from home and/or are in business for themselves as everyone here seems to be encountering the same issue I was. I’ll definitely check out your blog!
Liz Bronson
This is such a hard struggle. As a contractor who is paid by the hour, a day off or vacation is always double the price- money’s going out, but none is coming in. If I take a day off to get my hair cut, it becomes crazy expensive which can make it hard to justify time away from the office. I try to budget a few weeks off a year so that I don’t feel badly, and when I do take time, I unplug and remind myself that mental health is more
important than money. I’m better at work when I get some breaks. I just try not to think about what the breaks cost. It’s hard….
Angela
I know Liz, it is! Trust me, I never thought I’d be able to unplug for 48 hours when I did this. It was like trying not to scratch an itch for the first couple of hours or so, but then when I truly let go, it was so worth it. Now that I’m back, I’m 10x more productive… Thinking of it as taking time for your mental health is a good way to look at it… :)