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151. Why Taking Time Off Is the Secret to Sustained Solopreneur Success - Soundbite Episode · The Life-First Solopreneur

• 0:00
  Carly Ries: Today, we're tackling a topic that hits home for every solopreneur, taking time off. As a solopreneur, your time is your currency. Stepping away from work can feel like a trade off between relaxation and revenue or between recharging and losing momentum. But here's the thing, burnout isn't good for business and neither is running on empty. So how do you balance the need to step back without feeling like your business is stepping backward?
• 0:23
  Stick around because in this episode, we'll share actionable strategies to plan your time off and manage client expectations to make your business run as best as it can.
• 0:33
  Carly Ries: You're listening to The Aspiring Solopreneur, the podcast for those just taking the bold step or even just thinking about taking that step into the world of solo entrepreneurship.
• 0:44
  My name is Carly Ries, and my co host Joe Rando and I are your guides to navigating this crazy, but awesome journey as a company of 1. We take pride in being part of Lifestarr, a digital hub dedicated to all aspects of solopreneurship that has empowered and educated countless solopreneurs looking to build a business that resonates with their life's ambitions. We help people work to live, not live to work. And if you're looking for a get rich quick scheme, this is not the show for you.
• 1:12
  So if you're eager to gain valuable insights from industry experts on running a business the right way the first time around, or want to learn from the missteps of solopreneurs who've paved the way before you, then stick around. We've got your back because flying solo in business doesn't mean you're alone.
• 1:29
  Joe Rando: So, Carly, here's the pattern that I see a lot. You start a solo business to have more control over your life, and then it's time to take some time away, you know, holiday, a vacation, whatever it is, and what happens? You're really busy. Right?
• 1:46
  And you have a really clear idea how much there is to do, so you either you feel guilty when you take the time away, you're not really present when you take that time away, or worst of all, you don't take the time away. I wish I could tell you that I know all this from spending so much time talking to solopreneurs, but it's actually totally firsthand.
• 2:08
  Carly Ries: Yeah. Oh, absolutely. it's funny. I think last week, I wrote a post that's coming after the heels of Thanksgiving. This recording that we're doing right now is early December, and I did something that was like, take time off, they said.
• 2:23
  It would be great, they said. And then I said and they were right. And I was a little hesitant because, most people can take Thanksgiving off because they use PTO. Personally, they're still getting paid. Not most people, but a lot of employed people.
• 2:38
  And for me, it's like, well, if I take this time off, my paycheck's gonna be smaller this month, and it's like weighing out the pros and cons. And it's a tough battle because you you need that paycheck. You know what I mean? Especially the holiday season when spending can get so out of control for some people.
• 2:57
  Joe Rando: I'm telling you, it's funny because one of the things I noticed when I first started my own business, right, I had had some jobs before that, and I started the business. I'm like, it's so weird. I don't know when holidays are. I used to know when all the holidays were and everything else, and all of a sudden, I'm like, I'm not noticing that anymore. Like, oh, in 2 weeks, it's whatever.
• 3:18
  And, I remember one time I was trying to set up a meeting with this guy and I was really booked up and we're going through the dates by back and forth on emails before Calendly was a thing. And I threw out a date at him and he came back, he said, sure. That works. Should I bring the turkey? It was Thanksgiving.
• 3:37
  Carly Ries: Well and it's so funny. we're actually now road tripping, for a little bit during the holidays. We'll be here part of the time, road tripping for part of the time.
• 3:45
  Joe Rando: Hardly road tripping. I've never heard of such a thing.
• 3:48
  Carly Ries: I know. Listeners that don't know me, we are quite the road trippers. But in my mind, I'll work when we're in the car. I'll work before everybody gets up. it doesn't strike me to take time off because I figure out the pockets where I can get stuff done.
• 4:06
  But then at the same time, I'm like, but this is the holidays. Do I need to get up before everybody else? And do I need to work in the car? It's just such a dance, and I think the recommendation I have for people is to take that time. Whether it's half a day or whether it's a full week, just take some time to recharge and reflect, but I also understand some people do have to work.
• 4:29
  Like, it can be a luxury to take that time for yourself, but if you could squeeze in any bit of time over the holiday season for some you time, go get a massage, go do whatever you need to to get you more clear to start the new year, I so recommend prioritizing that free time because you will come back faster, more efficient than ever, in my opinion. What about you?
• 4:54
  Joe Rando: Well, what I've come up with, is 3 step process. And you see me putting it into action right now. And the first step is to plan for the time off, right? So Christmas, New Year's, I'm not working. I've got my kids coming up.
• 5:10
  We're gonna have a house full. I am so psyched about it. So plan for it. So I'm putting in extra time now, to get a little bit ahead. You saw the other day, I was like, oh, I gotta get what chapters done on, Solopreneur Business For Dummies.
• 5:23
  And you're like, well, we're in good shape. I'm like, no, I gotta get more done because I don't wanna worry about that when they come in that week between Christmas and New Year's. So that's the first thing is put a little extra time ahead.
• 5:29
  The second thing is to tell people you're gonna be out for a while,
• 5:40
  you're check out and, gonna be away from the office and, you know, unless the house is on fire, I'm probably not gonna respond and just, set those expectations with your customers. Most people, are good people and understand that you need some time for yourself and your family. but, setting those expectations in advance is a lot easier than, surprise, I didn't call you back. And then lastly, know that you're gonna play some catch up when you get back. So if you take time away, you know, it's gotta be a little bit of work, but it's really worth it to invest that time before and after to have that really true downtime where you're not sitting there thinking about the job.
• 6:21
  So that's how I handle it. It doesn't always go perfectly smoothly, but I've managed to to develop an ability to kind of take the business, put it over here, and enjoy the time with the family, which I wasn't very good at before.
• 6:37
  Carly Ries: Yeah. And I would say cut
• 6:38
  Carly Ries: yourself some slack. Like you just said, we're not perfect either. I mean, I said, oh, Thanksgiving was totally worth taking that time off, and I'm still playing catch up, and I'm still behind where I wanna be. But I have to remember, like, you and I were saying some of these deadlines were self imposed even though we are very strict usually about our self imposed deadlines. But give yourself some grace, enjoy that time with your friends and family, and hit the ground running as best you can in the new year.
• 7:04
  And, Joe, I think that's all I have for today. Is there anything else you wanted to add?
• 7:10
  Joe Rando: I guess just that, you know, we've given some advice and people might be thinking, oh, it's not gonna work. I can't do that. It's not gonna work for me. You know, if that's true, you probably need to rethink your business.
• 7:23
  If you really can't take time away, really take some time to not be worried about the business or working in the
• 7:31
  business, you probably need to make some changes, and more than likely, you're wrong about that. You're just feeling it, passionate, you know, you get some stress because it's yours, but you're probably wrong and you can as long as you prep, you'll be okay.
• 7:47
  Carly Ries: Yep. Could not have said it better myself. So listeners, enjoy this holiday season. If you're listening to this after the holiday season, remember it's okay to take breaks throughout the year as well. But that is all we have for you today.
• 8:00
  As always, don't forget to leave that to 5 star review. Subscribe on your favorite platform, including YouTube, and we will see you next time on The Aspiring Solopreneur. You may be going solo in business, but that doesn't mean you're alone. In fact, millions of people are in your shoes, running a one person business and figuring it out as they go. So why not connect with them and learn from each other's successes and failures?
• 8:24
  At LifeStarr, we're creating a one person business community where you can go to meet and get advice from other solopreneurs. Be sure to join in on the conversations at community.lifestarr.com.