Can you believe how fast this year has gone by? It feels like it flew by even faster than last year. As we head into the holiday season, one of my main priorities is slowing down and really enjoying time with my family. I want to make space for those meaningful moments, focus on self-care, and truly enjoy the holiday spirit.
But here’s the thing: to do that, I need to make sure my business is set up to thrive while I’m taking that time off. Sound familiar? Let’s talk about how you can set up your business so you can actually take a break this holiday season and still keep things running smoothly.
We’ve all been working hard all year, and now that the holidays are here, we deserve some time to unwind. But every year, as a business owner we often find ourselves working through what’s supposed to be “time off.” Maybe it’s sneaking away to check emails during Thanksgiving dinner or staying up late to finish a project before a family gathering.
Deep down, you know you want to fully unplug and enjoy the season, but you’re not sure how to make that happen without everything falling apart.
The holidays should be a time to relax, but for many business owners, they’re filled with stress. You’ve got year-end tasks, client projects, and personal commitments stacking up, and it feels like you’ll never get it all done in time.
We often feel torn between wanting to be present for our family and friends during the holidays, but can’t stop thinking about all the work we still have to do. Which leads to feel guilty for stepping away, even though you know you need a break.
Running a business shouldn’t mean sacrificing your personal time and well-being, especially during the holidays. You should be able to enjoy the season without feeling like you’re constantly behind.
Here’s the truth: taking time off during the holidays is possible, but it takes a little planning. I’ve been guilty of overworking through the holidays, too. But I’ve learned a few strategies along the way that make it much easier to step away from the business and actually enjoy my time off. Let me walk you through how to set up your business to thrive while you take a well-deserved break.
Plan Ahead and Get Organized
The key to a stress-free holiday season is planning ahead. Take some time to sit down and make a list of everything you need to get done between now and the end of the year. Include personal and professional tasks—holiday shopping, client projects, year-end reports, everything.
Once you have it all on paper, you’ll have a much clearer picture of where your time and focus need to be. And bonus—you can start seeing what tasks you can delegate.
Delegate and Automate
If you have a team, now’s the time to lean on them. Delegate tasks that don’t require your personal attention so you can free up time for yourself. If you don’t have a team, consider outsourcing smaller tasks, even temporarily, to help lighten the load.
And don’t forget about automation! Pre-schedule your social media posts, set up email sequences, and automate as much of your business as possible. Automation tools will keep things running smoothly while you’re sipping eggnog and spending time with family.
Set Clear Boundaries and Communicate with Clients
As entrepreneurs, we often struggle with setting boundaries, especially when it comes to taking time off. But here’s the thing—your clients will understand. Let them know about a month in advance (or as early as possible) that you’ll be taking time off and when you’ll be unavailable. Set clear expectations about how and when they can reach you.
Turn on your email auto-responder and update your voicemail to let people know when you’ll be back. Include details about how they can contact you if there’s an urgent matter. This will help you unplug without feeling guilty or anxious about leaving clients hanging.
Take Time for Yourself
One thing I’m committing to this year is taking at least one full day (hopefully more) just for me. Not to check emails, not to manage family commitments—just to focus on me. And I want you to do the same. Whether it’s going for a spa day, reading a book, or just lounging around with a cup of hot chocolate, give yourself permission to relax. You’ve worked hard all year, and you deserve it.
This holiday season, I want you to take a deep breath and remind yourself that it’s okay to step away from your business. By planning ahead, delegating, and setting boundaries, you can actually enjoy the holidays without the stress of unfinished tasks hanging over your head.
Ready to make it happen? Let’s chat! I can help you plan out how to set your business up for success while you take that much-needed break. Book a free consultation today, and let’s make this holiday season the best one yet!
By setting up your business to run smoothly during the holidays, you’ll go from feeling overwhelmed and guilty about taking time off to being fully present with your family, friends, and yourself. You’ll enter the new year feeling rested, recharged, and ready to take on new challenges—because you finally gave yourself permission to step back and enjoy the holiday season.