🏖️ Why I am not working today

I am not working today or tomorrow. Today is my birthday. This email you are reading was written and scheduled weeks ago.

I will also not be working at all between 22nd December and 3rd January.

I don’t work on Wednesdays, Saturdays, or Sundays.

On Tuesday and Friday, I play badminton from 13:00-15:30. Non-negotiable.

I check email just once or twice per week.

Over the last two years, I have worked an average of 10 hours per week.

I went to Kazakhstan for almost 4 weeks over September/October for a friend’s wedding (although I did do some work during those 4 weeks).

If I am ill, I take as long as I need to recover. If my friend or family needs me, I reschedule things and take the time off needed to fully support them.

Why am I telling you this?

While I do regularly take time off, I work hard to ensure there is little to no interruption in my service delivery. I also make sure to communicate my availability.

Working long hours is not the same as working hard.

I employ systems to keep things running smoothly across both of my businesses, one of which is almost entirely hands-off now.

We are in the run up to the holiday period. Every year I see entrepreneurs fail to take sufficient time off and regret it - they don’t spend enough time with loved ones, they don’t rest and recharge, and they don’t give themselves time to ruminate on their current situation (which unlocks subconscious solutions for them!).

I truly believe that taking time off is one of the most productive things you can do as an entrepreneur. As I covered in one of my earlier editions of Work Smart Wednesday, resting is not a reward for success. It’s a prerequisite for performance.

If you can’t take time off from your business without it breaking, you don’t have a business, you have a job.

Book the time off now. Tell your clients, they won’t mind.

💡 Quote I'm pondering

“Happiness isn't something you find, it's something you create” - from the film Late Spring, 1949, directed by Yasujuro Ozu

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I shared this in my Work Smart Wednesday newsletter. Want the full set of related insights? You can read them here: https://worksmartwednesday.substack.com/p/work-smart-wednesday-november-29

👋 Want to work together?

When you’re ready, here are 3 ways I can help you:

🔍 Clarity Call - we will discuss your situation and create a step-by-step action plan together so you know exactly what you need to do next for maximum impact

👓 StartSmart - Achieve a 6 figure income within 6 months, whether you only have an idea or you have already started your business

🧘 Overload to Optimal - reduce your workweek to 20 hours or less within 90 days while running your 6/7 figure business