The Benefits Of Taking A Time Out

Find out how a time out can help you be more productive and get a clear vision on your life and business goals.

Did y’all miss me? I took a much needed week off to unwind with my family in sunny Florida. We didn’t have an itinerary to follow, and at times we didn’t even know what we were doing. We pretty much winged it the entire trip and it was wonderful. If you follow me on Instagram, I’m sure you saw some of the gorgeous views I was treated to. It was just what I needed to decompress after a busy month of work.

This trip also reminded me of the importance of taking a time out. I see bloggers getting burned out all the time and it’s truly a sad thing to see. Some get to the point where they no longer want to work anymore. While others get physically ill from the stress and are forced to take a break. I’ve been in both of these categories and can tell you that neither one is fun. But knowing when to take a time out is crucial to your overall physical, mental, and business health.

I love what I do, but I also find that it’s very easy to get burned out in this field. One minute you’re sailing smoothly and the next minute you feel like you’re barely staying afloat. It’s just the nature of the business. Work comes in spurts and it’s never a steady flow. Knowing this, and knowing my nature of taking on more than I should sometimes, I have to make a conscious effort to take a break.

It doesn’t always mean I go away for a week (that would be lovely), but it does mean that I need to listen to my body and know when to stop. Even if you take a day off to go to your favorite coffee shop or go for a walk each evening on your own. Just make sure you do it. The world will go on and survive without you being available at all times. I love writing, sharing and creating content for this site. But when my body is telling me to take a break, I listen.

But what are some of the benefits of taking a time out? There are several benefits and here are some of my favorite:

The Benefits Of Taking A Time Out

It gets your creative juices flowing

Every time I get a chance to take a break, I’m able to brainstorm new ideas that normally wouldn’t come to me when my mind is cluttered with my to-do list. This blog was actually born shortly after a family trip we took over three years ago. Mental fatigue is real. Your brain is not going to function properly if you’re always too busy. Take a break and let the creativity flow.

You’re able to have a clear vision

Without daily distractions, you’re able to have a clearer vision of what you want in life and business. I almost always make changes to my business plans when I take a break. I always come back refreshed with new plans that I want to implement. It’s truly amazing how much one can gain from taking a time out. I also like to ask my husband for his input because he can offer a different perspective on things.

You focus on what’s important

It’s easy to get caught up in financial gain and growth when you’re in business. But taking a time out can serve as a reminder of why you started your business in the first place. For me, is to have more time with my family and pursue other interests that I enjoy. Without taking a break to clear my mind, I would have lost sight of why I became an entrepreneur to begin with. Take a break, remember your why and use it as fuel when making business decisions.

You can identify your time wasters

When I step away from work, I notice the things that are taking up my time with no real return. These are what I call time wasters which yield no value to my life or business. For example; social media, tasks I’m not good at and even time spent browsing online can be time wasters. I realize that I often spend time learning how to do things I’m not great at when I could just be paying someone to do it for me. Taking a time out can give you insight to both the positive and negative aspects of your business.

You are more productive

Ever notice that you’re able to get more done after a power nap? The same holds true for taking a time out. When you allow yourself a break from the daily grind, you will come back with renewed energy. I get more done when I allow myself some space to recharge. Even 30 minutes of doing nothing can do wonders. If you’re feeling stuck or can’t focus, step away and do something you enjoy instead. A small break can do wonders for your mind and business.

Do you take a time out to recharge? What’s your favorite way to do it? I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on this topic!

*This post was originally published on 9/28/15, but updated on 2/17/17.