Your Permission Slip to Unplug This Summer
As a business owner, fully unplugging from work feels like a near-impossible feat. I know this firsthand because I've done it, and I've felt the pull to check my phone every step of the way.
But after our last family vacation, where I was actually, truly able to disconnect, I came back with something I hadn't expected: more creativity, more clarity, and more motivation to grow my business than I'd had in months.
If you're a fellow business owner thinking about stepping away this summer even for just a few days, here's what I learned, and how to make it work without your business or your online presence falling apart.
Put it on Your Calendar and Tell Your Team
If you wait for the perfect time to take off, it's never going to happen. Choose your dates, block your calendar, and commit. Then loop in your team early so you can all work together to wrap up what needs to happen before you leave, with plenty of time for questions before you're gone. I also let my clients know when I'll be out of office so there are no surprises.
Plan Ahead
Before you head out, do a full brain dump of everything that needs to happen before and during your time away. Getting it all out in front of you helps you figure out what to delegate, what to delete, and what to prioritize. I often work longer hours the week before I leave and the week after I'm back but it is absolutely still worth it.
Make Sure Your Socials Are Set Up In Advance
Here's a reminder: taking a week off social media will not kill your brand or your goals. Many people actually respect seeing someone take time off, and it gives their own audience permission to do the same. But if you want to keep the momentum going, simply schedule your posts ahead of time.
[If you’re a business owner who has been putting off getting on-top of your social media, this may be an incredibly intimidating task. But, if you create a social media strategy in one day, with my Social Media Strategy In a Day Session, you can let it attract your ideal clients while you’re sitting on a beach or spending time with people you love.]
Send One Final Reminder
Before you fully sign off, send a quick note to your team and/or clients letting them know you're heading out. Include who to contact in your absence or when you'll be back and don't forget to set your out-of-office email reply.
Put Boundaries in Place
If you are conditioned to be reaching for your phone or checking your email, you may need to put some boundaries in place to help you stay disconnected. You can find some of my favorites here.
Every time I've made the effort to truly step away, I come back better. Better for my business, better for my clients, and better for my family. If unplugging feels impossible right now, it might be a sign that some systems need to be put in place first so that your business can run (and your content can attract ideal clients) without you needing to be "on" every single day.
That's exactly what my Social Media Strategy in a Day session is designed to do. We build the strategy and the system together, all in one day, so you can step away with confidence whenever you need to.