How to Actually Enjoy Your Time Away from the Office

Even while on vacation, it’s difficult to resist the urge to open your email app and see what’s going on with your business. Of course, it’s not a true vacation if you’re constantly engaging in activities typically reserved for the office. Let’s examine ways you can encourage your team to step away from the business from time to time, and how they can do it without causing disruptions to its operations.

But Why is Relaxing So Hard, Anyway?

First, you need to understand why the pull of the workplace is so tempting. Here are some of the reasons:

• Certain tasks require certain people: Sometimes, businesses will get by with employees who specialize in certain tasks. In other words, expertise is siloed and certain processes come to halt when specific individuals are not present. This is especially problematic when these tasks are what enable others at the business to do their jobs. When you know dozens of people depend on you, you would find it hard to take a day for yourself, too.

• There’s always a problem to solve: Business owners especially have trouble with this one, as business is a game of constantly trying to solve the day’s latest problem. One issue might get resolved, but another takes its place, and this makes it hard to truly step away. The end result is constantly playing catch-up rather than making progress.

• The company’s technology infrastructure has issues: If your business infrastructure grows too much too fast, you might find that you’re dealing with redundant or incompatible apps, siloed information, company data in personal cloud accounts, and software that goes without updates. All in all, it makes getting work done more difficult, both in and out of the office.

Your goal should be to create a system that encourages your staff to take time for themselves without having to worry about the business falling apart without them… but how do you even accomplish this?

How You Can Help Your Team Rest and Recharge

There are five elements you can build into your business to help encourage them to take time for themselves. 

Automate What You Can

There are various tasks businesses have to manage that could easily be automated, saving time and energy on the employees’ part. This is why we are fans of automating what you can; it offers more time for employees to spend on more meaningful tasks, or for taking time to take care of themselves. Some examples of tasks you can automate include: invoicing, email marketing, social media scheduling, and even backup preparations.

Implement Centralized Data

If your data is well-organized, it’ll be easier to find and less stressful for all. With a modern, centralized system, you can handle various needs for your business, including cloud-based file management, customer relationship management, and even unified communications. All of this contributes to a better, less stressful, and more efficient business that is easier to step away from once in a while.

Keep Your Business Secure

Cyberattacks need to be prepared for, especially in today’s business world. The constant threat of a cyberattack can keep certain team members in the office, even when they would prefer to not be. A comprehensive cybersecurity solution can go a long way toward ensuring your business and its employees have true peace of mind. Here are some of the tools included in a cybersecurity strategy:

• Managed firewalls
• Endpoint detection and response (EDR)
• Vulnerability scanning
• Multi-Factor authentication

Document Important Processes

One of the best things you can do for your business’ operations is to have a clear, written record of the business’ needs and processes. These processes help your team know how to do the tasks that keep your business running smoothly. This encourages autonomy on your employees’ part so they can take ownership of their work.

Conduct a Stress Test

Finally, it’s time to see how it all plays out. Business owners need to practice the skill of letting go. Unplug from the workplace and try taking a long weekend. See if the processes work and check in on it all when you get back. Take note of what works and what doesn’t, then iterate over time until it gets to an acceptable level.

Make Sure Everyone Knows They Can Use Their Time

At the end of the day, your team should be able to take their time off without fear of critical business operations being interrupted. To learn more about how technology factors into this process, be sure to contact us at (866) 546-1004.