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Step Away to Move Forward: The Power of Taking a Break

Being an entrepreneur is never easy. You willingly decide to quit your 9 to 5 for a 24/7 life filled with decisions that haunt you and teams that need motivation even when you’re the one down and out. That’s the life of someone running a business. No one’s out there to tell you that you’re doing a great job! You don’t get appreciation dinners or employee of the month award. Yet, you work harder than your team and dedicate more hours than your resources.

Some would argue that CEOs get heavily paid for their time invested, but is it worth it? You grind more than others and don’t have time for your family or a paycheck that you can’t even spend on yourself. The harsh reality of being an entrepreneur is always masked underneath bags of money and exotic cars. Many entrepreneurs keep grinding to sustain their business - not for the sake of money, but to keep providing salaries for the houses associated with them!

With the haunting duty of paying salaries on time, entrepreneurs never find time for themselves. This becomes taxing on our loved ones, and we lose contact with the people we started working for. That’s why it’s important to maintain work-life balance. Here’s my take on this problem.

Moving Away Doesn’t Mean Quitting

If you step away from your business for a while, you’re not quitting or letting it go. You’re just taking a breather like any normal person would. Sometimes, I take long breaks from work to de-stress. Last month, I went to watch Manchester United’s match at Old Trafford stadium. As an avid football fan, this was like a mini retreat for me.

If you’ve been invested in your work for too long, it’s high time you move away for a while and take a break. This will refill your energy and you’ll work harder than you used to.

Last Saturday Night

I dedicated my last Saturday night to my family. We went out for Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s concert at the Andulisian hall. I was alongside my wife and kids but I didn’t forget to invite my team. I wanted my team to have a break as well and bond with each other beyond work.

The night was amazing and it taught me a couple of lessons,

• Letting go sometimes can be fun
• Invite your team and spend time with them
• Your family needs you

The more time you spend with your loved one and your team, the better you're able to perform at work. Your efforts are directly proportionate to the time you dedicate to your family. And there’s a way to balance everything. Here’s how,

Make a Schedule

You’re organized, that’s why you’re leading a business. But that’s your professional life. Unlike our employees, we don’t have a scheduled work time. That’s why we often blur the line between personal and professional time. It’s safe to create an 8-hour shift for yourself because you can’t blow away years of your life slaving for yourself. Once your shift is over, close the chapter and focus on your personal life. If your business can’t survive without you dedicating 24/7 to it, then you must ask yourself “Did I ever start a business?”

Stay Focused

Your laser focused at work and that’s great but that’s not everything. You need to learn how to give up focus and re-direct your attention to your personal life. The best way to do so is to keep 2 sets of cell phones. One for work and the other for home. Keep both active during your working hours because you can’t leave your family out of your professional life. But when your 8 hours are done, shut down your work phone and focus on your personal life.

Give up Control

Giving up control is everything. It’s the key to automating your business because you never started your company to work 24 hours. You started a business to make a dent in this universe, give your customers the best service and provide a relaxed working environment to your employees. Giving up control means you need to take out 2-3 hours a day when you take your hands off work and relax. Let your team handle any escalated client or customer deadline because you aren’t available 24/7. The more control you let go, the more independent your team becomes ultimately creating an automated environment at your workplace.

Wrapping it Up

Taking a step back isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a strategy for longevity. As an entrepreneur, you pour your heart and soul into your business, but you can’t sustain the grind without recharging. Whether it’s a night out with family, a football match, or simply unplugging for a few hours, these moments fuel your ability to lead effectively. Balance isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity. So, set boundaries, trust your team, and embrace the power of a break. Because when you return, you won’t just pick up where you left off—you’ll come back stronger.