Stepping Away from Your Business

 I just got back from spending the weekend away from my business, computer and anything design related. I took 2.5 days, packed up the car with my dog and three best girlfriends and we rented a house on the beach in the Pacific Northwest. Our purpose was two-fold, one for a girlfriend weekend full of laughs, girl talk and lots of wine and second was to have time to discuss any business issues we may be struggling with or to bounce ideas off of each other...and we accomplished it all.

It is funny how just stepping away for a few days of your normal routine can open up so many creative passages in your brain. The first morning we woke up, there was a whale swimming only 20 or 30 feet from where we were, now that is amazing to watch. We followed it down the beach for miles and just enjoyed the rain on our faces, the beauty of what we were experiencing and the time together.

Sometimes we get so caught up in our everyday lives that we forget to look around us. You can be inspired to be creative by so many things and people. As business owners it is so easy to work IN our business rather than taking some time every week to work ON our business. Also as business owners it is so easy for us to have excuses such as, "I can't afford it (money or time)," or "I will have so much to do when I get back," or "My clients will be upset if I'm not available." Reality is that none of these excuses are really true and if you can't take time away on occasion from your business than it's time to look at your business model.

After owning my design and marketing company for the past 17 years, I have realized that when I don't take the time to step away from my business and look at it with fresh eyes once in a while, is when it costs me through my health or the bank account or even some customers.

So, I encourage all of you to take time each week to "step away" from your computer, take a walk, go putter in the garden, or just call up a friend and share a cup of coffee or glass a wine together. You will be amazed at what pops into your head when you least expect it either for your business or your life and when Monday morning comes around, you will be ready to tackle your work week, your business, your marketing efforts or just regular life.

And a big thank you to my girlfriends who are amazing people, amazing business women and my A-Team!