6 Reasons why Downtime makes you a better Entrepreneur

Summer holidays are right around the corner, and while I am really looking forward to my holiday, I know that it would be hard to stay away from the lure of the laptop! Being an entrepreneur offers unparalleled freedom and autonomy, as you do WHAT you want, WHERE you want and HOW you want, however it is the ”WHEN” that is usually the trigger of the stress, the anxiety and the burnout that we suffer from, doing what we LOVE to do, ALL the time!

Contrary to what it sounds, downtime is an important factor in building your business. You may think that you are losing out by staying away from your work, but what you may not know or realise is that not taking a break can hurt your productivity in the long run.

6 reasons why downtime makes you a better entrepreneur-

1. Creativity Boost – Being constantly on-the-go is like a horse wearing blinkers that is galloping straight ahead, with no idea where it is going or what it’s missing along the way. Having a downtime can help stimulate your creativity and give you fresh ideas to apply to your life or business. While not a downtime by choice, the complusory covid lockdown, made me discover my true passion and purpose – coaching. Something that I would have never thought about, had it not been for the pause.
   
2. Enhanced Decision Making – When you’re constantly working, it can be challenging to step back and evaluate your business objectively. Taking time off can help you gain perspective and make better-informed decisions. It’s important to remember that downtime is not a waste of time, but rather an investment in your personal and professional growth.
   
3. Building Relationships – It can be challenging to prioritize relationships when work demands are high. Taking time off can provide you with the opportunity to spend quality time not only with your loved ones but can also help you strengthen business relationships, as you step back and evaluate things from a different perspetctive, rather than being in the centre of the action.
   
4. Improved Health and Productivity – It may seem counterintuitive, but taking time off can actually help improve your productivity in the long run. When you take the time to recharge and refocus, with better sleep, physical activity or relaxation, you may find that you’re able to work more efficiently and effectively when you return. Just like a Formula 1 racer makes a pit stop in the midst of a heart-pulsating race to change its tyres, taking a compulsory pause in our busy lives reduces stress levels and you’ll be better equipped to tackle the demands of entrepreneurship with renewed energy and focus.
   
5. Work-Life Balance – Taking downtime as an entrepreneur is essential for achieving a healthy work-life balance. No matter how much we love our work, we know that if the balance of scale is tilted, it can cause problems in other aspects of our lives. When you prioritize different areas of your life, such as work, relationships, hobbies, and self-care, you create a sense of equilibrium that can help you stay grounded and centered. This can help you maintain a positive outlook, stay motivated, and feel fulfilled in the long run.
   
6. Mental Fitness – “Your mind is your best friend, but it can also be your worst enemy” (Positive Intelligence). Running a business is like being a hamster on a wheel, constantly churning, thinking that you are enjoying the rush and the adrenaline, ignoring the negative signs that show up, like fatigue, anxiety, stress. And even when you want to stop, you can’t, because you are fearful that if you stop, you will fail. A healthy mind is a thought-less mind. Downtime helps you take a pause to command your mind to not-think and focus on your senses instead. Mindfulness, yoga, meditation are all different forms of mind command that help you thrive.

By intentionally scheduling time off, you can recharge and rejuvenate, gain new perspectives, and foster strong relationships. And what better way to start than with the upcoming summer holidays! Prioritizing rest and relaxation is not a waste of time, but rather a great investment in our overall well-being and success as entrepreneurs. Have a good rest everyone!

Photo by Raphael Wild on Unsplash