5 reasons why a break in business is a MUST

We all work so hard to get our small business ideas blossoming that once we are immersed in meetings, working to deadlines, writing, replying, consulting, behind-the-scenes research, and all things “paid employment” and family, that we don’t ever believe NOW is the right time to take a break from our business.

I did though. I stepped away and just did other things. Most importantly, engaged with my kids in a way I hadn’t been able to before, performed well (better than I expected) on my university assessments and taught myself how to enjoy every day just that little bit more.

We all want to do well in business, most of us are striving to step away from being an employee of someone else and into the shoes of Boss-Lady Extraordinaire and sometimes along the way, we need to take a breather and relax. Away from schedules, to-do lists, clients, computers and technology in general.

In the spirit of soaking up sunshine on a day where my business was the furthest thought from my awareness, there are the five reasons why I believe NOW is the time to plan a break in business.

1. Christmas is fast approaching and that might be the busiest time of year for you. It might be impossible to slip away unnoticed for a few days so why not plan for a September or October get away?

2. You’ve passed the half way point of the year, which means end-of-financial year dealings should basically be tied up (unless you’re naughty and leave your tax projects until the last possible minute). Celebrate that milestone and take a weekend away. By yourself!

3. The day-to-day routine of most small business owners can often get a little stale. Even if we are working in our dream roles, we still might not have reached that ultimate state of business-related fulfilment. Make your working week that tad bit shorter for a few weeks by taking a day out of every week to pamper yourself and do something you really enjoy. Make sure it’s relaxing and mind-numbing!

4. Taking a holiday, “they” (who is they?!) say is a good (in reverse) as a change. Who knows, taking time out from business could recharge those batteries and fill your mind with a dozen fresh new ideas which could ultimately take your business to another level, one where you never thought you could be so soon.

5. Take time to sit back and reassess your business plan, business goals and your business SELF. Is this adventure still right for you? Are you still at the top of your game?

Enjoy each day!

Little Red

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I’m Back……In a Way.

Finding myself missing blogging. Missing the interaction with strangers who become associates, with readers who become teachers and with friends who become even closer to me.

I’ve been “breaking” from my business for a little while now, to rediscover my passions in life. Passions other than those in work. I’ve been able to spend more time with my family, enjoy my work-work (which I couldn’t do while I was writing so much for Little Red) and I’ve started to work on giving my life a kind of makeover.

Events of the last year have lead me to confirm where I want to go in life and who I want with me along the way. I want to keep writing, but I want it to be fun. I want to keep reading, and read a lot more than I ever have.

I set a bucket list about 4 years ago and not enough has been achieved up to this point in time as life has really gotten in the way! So I’ve really come to understand that my life and the events that make it wonderful or disastrous are totally up to me and the decisions I make.

The first decision I’ve made is that I’ll continue to rest from Little Red until further notice. That “further notice” could be months, weeks or days. When I’m ready, I’ll be back. The second and more exciting decision I’ve made is that I need to start conquering my bucket list items. So I’ve started my book.

Book? Yep, MY book. I’m going to write about my life, my beliefs and my dreams and it will be dedicated and written for my two children. The reasons why I have decided to do this will be revealed in the Preface, which I hope to release in the next two months.

So if you’d like to read an interesting tale about a 32 year old Mum, nurse, writer and dreamer, stay tuned. I’ll be revealing excerpts along the way and I’m looking to my Little Red followers for feedback. After all, you’ve stayed with me for this long, wouldn’t want to end the friendship now!

I’m really happy to be moving into this reflective phase of my life and I want you all to remember that we only get one chance at life and it’d be sorrowful to leave the Earth with regrets. If you want it, go for it!

LEJ

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It’s Not Always Easy Peasy.

I’ve been in my own little world, without notepads and pens, without the responsibility of working on my own business for a few weeks now and I must say, the break I’m on is UH-MAY-ZING. I must’ve really needed the time off.

I still don’t know where Little Red is headed at the moment and that’s totally okay with me. I’ve got so much to focus on right now and I’m occupied. My worry is that when I step back into the big wide world of small business, I will be back to square one. I don’t want to lag behind, I don’t want to forget all I’ve learned.

So much in small business is changing and I can see the progress Australian small business owners are making every day. It’s so heartwarming when you read an update proclaiming some happy news.

For now though, I’m happy to watch the world of small business unfold in front of me and enjoy this time I needed to take to focus on what has been those most important thing in my life all along- my family.

Don’t go away though, I’ll still be here and still want to read how you all are doing. Make me smile, make me cry, just keep me in your business and writing loops.

Enjoy every moment, promise me?

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Saying Goodbye

I’ve woken up to a new reality in the last two weeks. I’ve struggled, I’ve tired, I’ve gotten angry and cried. But it all came to a head the moment my son uttered one powerful question- “Mummy, when will you have time for me?”

My inquisitive, intelligent 5.5 year old wonder boy simply asked for me. Not for toys, or McDonalds for dinner, not for a game on the iPad or lollies he knows he shouldn’t have. He came right out and said that he needed me.

And at the very moment, short of breath and full of love, I laid my life out and prioritized. I took my business out of the equation and I’m left with more time, more moments with my children and husband and the time I’ve desperately needed to study in.

It’s been many, many years since I just felt like doing nothing. I’ve kept myself on the extreme side of busy and then complained that I can’t switch my brain off. I’ve complained of lack of sleep, I’ve complained about lack of support and the lack of time I had to do what I wanted to do for myself.

It took my eldest child asking a simple, heartfelt question to get me to stop, switch off yet focus at the same time. I need to focus on my babies, even though I’m always with them, my mind is not. Taking my business out of the equation has instantly meant less stress, more time and more of me to give my children.

The writing side will not disappear. Writing is a big part of me and that won’t go away. The business side of writing is something I’m moving away from. I don’t know if this is a permanent move but for now, working on my business is the last thing I feel like doing. And for now, I’m not looking back.

I felt so strongly about working for myself, about proving that I could do it with minimal help. But my son caught me out. He proved without realizing that one woman can’t have it all- the study, the part time job, the small business and the family. You can’t give 100% to all these things. There is no such thing as Super Woman and for now, I’m settling on being just a woman and more importantly, being the Mum I love being.

I don’t regret this decision in the slightest and will look back in the years to come and remember the breathtaking moment I made the decision to feel better and make the best life for my family. Writing is amazing, but my family is all I need.