I was at a luncheon last week and the host was talking about the give and take of networking. It’s a hard line to give too much help and get nothing in return, or to only take and never give. But one point that I really appreciated was:

Seek Help More Often

I’ve spent a lot of time in the past few months becoming very clear that I can’t do it all and I don’t WANT to do it all. I am so eager to help a client out that I don’t realize there’s someone better or more efficient out there than me who should be handling the work.

This doesn’t mean you should go out and hire a VA right away, but it does mean you should take stock of what you need to stop doing yourself in your business. Maybe it’s a piece of business you don’t enjoy (for me, that’s writing for others) that you need to outsource to an accountant or copywriter or designer. Maybe you need to talk with your business partner about the services you’re offering and make sure you’re both doing work you WANT to do.

I’ve been talking with my coach about this over the past few months as well. Changing up services that I don’t really enjoy doing but when I was willing to help anyone with anything I could do. Could doesn’t mean should.

The next time you begrudgingly start a project think through what you’re enjoying about the project and what someone cheaper, faster and more efficient from you might charge to handle it for you.

Last week I took the week off. It was awesome. I didn’t do much, an overnight away, pilates, hanging out with Norm, reading, but the #1 goal: Not Working.

Earlier this summer my friend Mary Lou wrote in her newsletter about taking a vacation. It was the kick in the butt I needed to make it happen. I figured out my tasks for August and realized that if everything went as planned, I could take the week off. A whole week. It sounded like a dream, but not a reality. I’ve taken a long weekend here or there, but most of my “vacations” have been over holiday’s where there’s a lot of traveling and family and “busy-ness” and I needed to CHILL. Sure a week on a beach would have been awesome, but it didn’t happen this time. And that’s OK. It will next year (already scheduled!)

Walking away from my inbox and my task list for a week was just what I needed. I’m back to work this week and refreshed, energized and ready to go. And guess what happened while I was gone? Nothing! Clients were fine, newsletters were scheduled and sent out, no one panicked.

It’s time to stop making excuses about why you can’t afford a vacation or you have too much work to do. For your mental health and the health of your business, it’s time to take a break.