9th April 2007 - Taking time to paddle

It's Easter weekend and I'm just finishing a complete break of 5 days in a row!

Starting a business is hectic to say the least, new customers to generate, processes and systems to set, stuff to buy, premises to find, suppliers to set up.....the list goes on.  The bad news is, it never really changes, there's always more to do than you can find hours in the day.

The point is, if you're like me, it can be difficult to manage yourself.  Fortunately I have 3 children and a wife who keeps me on the straight and narrow where breaks and holidays are concerned.  Of course we all know breaks are important, but you can get swallowed up by that feeling of 'waiting for that time we you cut loose'!! 'get ahead'!  'Generate some breathing space'!  'just finish this project'!  problem is. all of these can delay you indefinately.

I can remember an 'enforced' break in year 1.  Things were tough, I'd had to buy out my partner for far too much money, cleaned out the bank account and decided to double the family mortgage at the same time.  My wife informed me we were off to Ireland for a week...disaster, so much to sort out just to survive, I was horrified, terrified even!!  ...but I needn't have been!

Leading up to the trip I did some sensible things, informed key customers I was away for a week, completed as many key tasks as possible and left contact numbers while I was away.

During the week away, I took a couple of calls and made a couple of calls, nothing too much.  On my return, the office was still there, a few opportunities were sat in my inbox, a few people asked me if I'd had a nice time, and the vast majority hadn't even noticed I'd gone.  The thing is, holidays are normal, people expect them, they have them themsleves and generally don't resent you having one.  So long as you do the sensible things, let people know, pay your bills up to date and leave emergency contact details you'llbe surprised how little can go wrong.

But here's the hidden benefit.  During my trip to Ireland.  I felt sense a detachment from the business I hadn't felt since I'd started.  Whilst out paddling in the sea I realised I had a freedom in my thinking not present whilst emerged in the day to day runnning of the business.  I came up with some key decisions on that trip which turned out ot be critical.  In addition, I returned refreshed with renewed energy.

Since then, I still find it difficult to make the decision to leave the business for a few days, but when it happens, it's always a positive experience, clear thinking, new ideas and renewed vigor for the tasks ahead.

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