The irony of this post is not lost on me. The winter holiday season is usually a time when many Americans take off work to celebrate with family or friends. But for many small-business owners and entrepreneurs, especially those like myself who work in industries with very high seasonal demand, it’s filled with stress and exhaustion. I’ve been running a hospitality services companies for more than 20 years, and every holiday season has been the busiest time for me. There’s a lot of pressure to succeed, and in a competitive market, taking time off is a luxury that most business simply can’t afford. Running your own company requires long hours every day, saddling owners with most of the responsibility if something goes wrong. But missing out on a chance for some much-needed peace and relaxation is actually very detrimental to success.
It invariably will increase anxiety levels and lead to burnout, which can have severe repercussions. If taking time off around Christmas and New Year’s is not possible, then an alternative plan must be in place. Taking breaks immediately following the holidays or when a business cycle slows will help business owners and entrepreneurs make wiser decisions, stay motivated and energized throughout the year, and perform better. As another calendar year winds to a close, it serves as a great time to take a look back at what was accomplished over the previous year and set new goals for the next 12 months. Without periodic breaks from work, it’s often difficult to appreciate what you achieved or consider new ways for improvement.
Make sure that at least once a month, if not biweekly, you’re taking time for yourself. It’s important to prioritize your health and wellbeing, which will be good for your business. For gig workers who live paycheck to paycheck (and are served by my staffing company), it’s also easy to get caught up in having to continuously work long hours during the holidays – in their case, just to put food on the table. It can be dehumanizing. But I’d suggest the same formula for small-business owners and entrepreneurs, which is to make time for yourself and family throughout the year and enjoy the fruits of your labor. One thing they have going for them is immense flexibility to set their own schedule. Doing so will reduce stress and anxiety, as well as improve productivity and happiness.
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