Recently, I went 2 weeks without talking to one of my clients.
And it was great.
I had taken a few days off for a trip to Boston, then when I returned she left for a week in Hawaii.
One thing that I love about this client is that when she’s on vacation, she’s on vacation. She isn’t checking emails, sending messages, or trying to work on side projects that she doesn’t have time for normally. She is 100% OOO.
Not only do I love this for her– it means she gets to fully unplug and have a much-deserved break from work- but I also love this for the team (including myself).
While she was gone, it was quiet. No team calls, no questions or messages, no new ideas or requests. Just space to focus and get work done. I was able to catch up on lingering side projects and even spent a few afternoons at the pool.
Everything ran without a hitch.
And when my client came back, we were able to jump into planning our next launch with renewed energy.
Almost every team I’ve ever been on has operated this way, so I almost take it for granted.
But lately I’ve been reminded that that’s not always the norm. So I wanted to share this with you to show you- it really is possible to have a team with that level of ease and trust. It’s not just one of those “this is the pretty picture we paint from the outside but behind the scenes it’s a mess” type of situations.
It’s real, and it’s possible for you too.
Here’s why this works:
- The CEO prioritizes herself and her time. She makes it a non-negotiable to take time off, to travel, and to make space for her life outside of work. It keeps her fulfilled, balanced, and gives her the whitespace she needs to stay clear and focused in the business.
- She trusts me and the entire team. She isn’t worried about whether or not we’re getting things done, she isn’t anxious that something’s going to fall apart without her. She has full faith in us and our ability to run the show while she’s away.
- We have strong systems, defined roles, and clear priorities. Everyone on the team knows their lane and what they’re responsible for. Even if something unexpected happens, we know how to navigate it without pulling her back in.
Put more simply, we have whitespace, trust in our team, and strong systems to support us.
If it feels like your business relies on you too much, take a look at these 3 categories to see where things might be breaking down.
Start with asking yourself these questions:
- Do I consistently and intentionally create space for myself to unplug?
- Do I trust my team to know their responsibilities and follow through on them without me?
- Do we have rinse-and-repeatable processes to keep things running smoothly?
Use your answers to pinpoint where your attention is most needed so you can start making changes that will truly free you up.
Because you- and, honestly, your team- deserve to be in a business that runs smoothly without your constant oversight. Not just during vacation, but every day.
And if you’re having a hard time identifying where the gaps are or how specifically to strengthen certain areas, a Team Reset might be exactly what helps you get the clarity you need to move forward. Learn more here.
