Happy New Year! It is so much fun to be a small business owner in the New Year. You just had to close out your books and start working on taxes. You probably spent the last two or three months tweaking what you want to do this year to grow the business, then writing it all down so you don’t forget and go over it again for the hundredth time. Oh and don’t forget that you have to fill in your new year calendar with everything you planned, tweaked, rewrote, threw away, and started all over again.  Become a small business owner they said, it would be fun they said. 

When you broke out your calendar did you remember to schedule some downtime? Just so you know downtime is not a dirty word (it has more than four letters). Downtime is essential to your business, you may not have thought about that. Some of my most brilliant ideas came when I wasn’t thinking about my business. I would be cooking or shopping thinking about something else completely and bang an idea pops into my head. It was as if my brain needed a rest so it could look at it from a completely different angle without me getting in the way. Our brains need a day off every once in a while to recharge.

Downtime is also good for your body. I think this one is a no-brainer. The more stress on your body the greater the chance you are of having a major illness. If you have to spend time in the hospital for even a couple of days, who’s going to run your business? When you get downtime, you can handle stress better and be responsive, not reactive. Reducing stress will allow you to think clearly and when a problem arises you can figure out a better solution. Your body is more relaxed which helps reduce injuries. If you are tense you can pull a muscle very easily.  Also, you know your body and the things it goes through with stress; pimples, hair loss, rashes, all sorts of things, no one wants that. 

The most important thing is time spent with special people. You work so many hours and there are times you can’t get away (summer and holidays). Your loved ones will feel neglected and you will feel alone. We need to have a connection with people and they need a connection with you. A weekend away with friends, significant other, or family can do you so much good. Even getting a cup of coffee with a friend. Anything to connect with a loved one. 

So when you fill out that calendar make sure you put in downtime. Schedule a coffee date once a month, a weekend away once a quarter, and a week away a minimum of once a year. Another thought is to plan on going to the NAPPS Annual Conference. Conferences are held in different parts of the country and you get to write it off! I promise your clients will not leave you because you took time off.  In fact, some of your clients will be excited that you took the time off because they actually care about you. And if your clients care about you, you should care about yourself. 

Take time for your family, friends, clients (with four and two legs), your business, and, oh yes, you! You will thank yourself later.

Joni Sullivan
Joan of Ark Pet Sitting
Dedicated NAPPS Director and NAPPS Volunteer