How to Set Up Your Small Business So You Can Take a Vacation

As a small business owner, you’re probably familiar with the roadblocks associated with taking time off. We all deserve a vacation every once in a while, but it can be hard to dedicate time to relaxing when there are so many responsibilities on your plate. However, if you never take a vacation, you risk experiencing burnout, which is the last thing a business owner like yourself needs! 

According to a recent survey, 42% of business owners reported recently feeling burnout. As we all know, taking a vacation is usually a good way to avoid burnout, at least for the majority of us. Yet, shockingly, 52% of small business owners haven’t taken a vacation in the past year.¹ If you’re a small business owner struggling to find a balance between work and play, here are some top ways to ensure that you’ll be able to take a vacation more often than once every few years.

1. Create an OOO Plan—and Stick to It

Before you start mapping out when you could ever take a vacation, consider creating an out-of-office (OOO) plan to outline your strategy for when you’re away. Putting pen to paper will help you visualize what taking time off will look like, thus helping it feel more attainable. In this plan, you can write down all your responsibilities and what they entail, as well as who could cover them for you. Additional information may include project timelines, important contacts, and any miscellaneous notes that could help someone execute their assignment successfully.

2. Cross-Train Whenever Possible

If you have employees, it’s a great idea to cross-train them whenever you can so they will have a solid understanding of how you run things. The more your employees know about the nuances of your business, the better. Not only will this help you during times of extreme stress, but it will also give you the peace of mind you need to take that vacation without having to worry about whether your employees know what they’re doing. 

Additionally, consider creating a training guide (that someone could easily follow) for each aspect of your business so no detail falls through the cracks. A lot of pre-vacation preparation involves creating outlines for each department and responsibility, which are helpful to have regardless of whether you’re in the office or on vacation.

3. Avoid Overcommitting

This may sound obvious, but it can be hard to say “no” when you’re a small business owner. If you want to set yourself up for success, avoid making commitments you can’t keep. This way, once you decide you’re ready for a vacation, you won’t have a bunch of projects to catch up on beforehand. 

It’s always a good idea to know what your capacity for work is. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself in a cycle of constant stress and worry. If you’re someone who struggles with saying “no” to new work, consider creating a pros-and-cons list that outlines all the advantages and disadvantages of taking on more work than you can realistically handle. Sometimes, seeing something written down can provide the perspective you need to change your habits for the better.

4. Hire from Within

Need to hire someone? Before you head to the job boards, consider hiring from within. Because if a person has already worked at your company, they’re going to be that much more knowledgeable and prepared for your new job responsibility (even if it requires different skills). When someone has been at your company for some time, they’ll quickly pick up on things that would take a brand-new hire more time to learn. 

By hiring from within, you’ll be helping your employees be more well-rounded and thus more prepared to cover for you when you’re away. Not only will you be lessening your workload (and stress) in the long run, but you’ll also be giving your employees a reason to stick around. It’s a win-win situation!