By the time you read this, I am likely to be sipping a cocktail in a resort in a tropical location. I have managed to escape the winter cold and am having a few well-earned weeks off.

I mention this partly to make you jealous! But mostly because, as all business women are fully aware, taking time off is not generally something that can be done easily. You are the backbone of your business, and there is always something to be done and deadlines to meet. Sadly, too many business women will report that it has been years since they have taken a substantial break.

Ultimately it comes down to whether you are committed to taking a break. Believe it or not, the world will keep turning if you are not there! But you do need to factor holidays into your business plans and plan ahead.

One of the ways I created an opportunity to take leave, was to inform my clients well in advance. I gave them options and deadlines – and importantly, I stuck to those boundaries! This enabled my clients to also plan their requirements, and they were all willing and able to do so.

Your business may not be as flexible with deadlines as mine, and may involve employing or outsourcing someone to continue your work while you are away. Do not use this as an excuse not to take a break! There are always ways to ‘replace’ you. And ultimately, your aim should be to make yourself expendable. After all, the goal of most business owners is to work a little less, rather than be chained to their business.

Michelle Grice writes a weekly column for business women in The Western Weekender

Actually this heading is probably a bit misleading: if you’ve been in business for more than 2 years, you will know that none of tips in this article are ‘secrets’ or even new ideas. However, if you are anything like me, they are things that fall by the wayside far too easily – and it is good to be reminded!

The following tips relate to your productiveness and how best to ‘get things done’:

1. Have confidence. Too many women in business let lack of confidence affect their business, either in the form of telling yourself you are not good enough or saying yes to things that you’d rather not do. You are a better business owner than you give yourself credit for – ignore the negative voice in your head and focus on your goals and dreams.
2. Check the company you keep. Surround yourself with productive and successful people and remove yourself from negativity or naysayers. You need inspiration and help from people who will cheer you on and celebrate your successes.
3. Focus, focus, focus. Everyone has a long to-do list. But it’s the people who know how to chunk it into manageable pieces who are productive. Set a timer for 10-20mins and focus solely on getting a job, or part of a job, completed. Then move on to the next. Multi-tasking is most often not as productive as it might appear.
4. Work smarter. Are there jobs you can outsource? Are there better ways to structure your time spent with clients? Are there ways you can adapt previous work instead of reinventing the wheel each time.

So re-acquaint yourself with these ‘secrets’ and start being more productive in your business.

Michelle Grice writes a weekly column for business women in The Western Weekender

When was the last time you took a break from your business - a break longer than two days? For many business owners, the answer is often at least one year ago, and for too many, the last ‘real’ holiday they had was before they started their business. In an online forum recently, one business owner said ‘but if you are passionate about what you do then it’s not really work anyway’ as a way of explaining why she doesn’t take holidays. I think this business owner is deluding herself. It doesn’t matter how passionate you are, everyone needs a break from the ‘everyday tasks’.

For those of you who do take regular breaks, I’m sure you have noticed that a number of things happen:

• Problems that seemed insurmountable often seem possible to solve
• Long term goals and priorities (both business and personal) become clearer
• Productivity is increased when you return to work
• Your general outlook and attitude towards your business improves

Women in business are particularly prone to burnout, because we are generally balancing many different roles and multi-tasking. But our brains and bodies need a break. We are not designed to work relentlessly every day of the year.

If your business is set up so that it can’t run without you, then you need to seriously look at ways that it can. A successful long term business is one that CAN continue to run without you, either via outsourcing parts of the business or employing managers. Aside from the need for a break, if your business can’t run without you, then it’s not going to survive in the event of an accident or another emergency that results in you not being able to work.

Start small. Schedule a 2 day break and put things in place so that you are not “checking up” on it. Gradually increase the number of days each time until you are taking at least 2 weeks off at a time. You owe it to yourself, your family and your business.

Michelle Grice writes a weekly column for business women in The Western Weekender