07/09/2026
One of the most common things I’ve heard from business owners is, "I'd love to take a proper break, but now just isn't the right time."
I understand that feeling because I lived it.
Even when I went on holiday, I wasn't really away. I'd check emails before breakfast, answer calls during the day and sneak away to work while everyone else was enjoying themselves.
My family got my time, but they didn't always get my attention.
Looking back, the biggest problem wasn't the workload.
It was the belief that I needed to wait until the business was ready.
And the reality is that day pretty much won’t happen on its own.
I was thinking about this when I decided to book a month in China for this September. I put those dates into the calendar back in November last year.
At the time, I didn't have every answer to how I would manage it - but I had a commitment.
It was in my calendar and not long after flights were booked (thank the stars it was before the fuel crisis!)
The date drove the changes I needed to make and the steps I needed to put in place.
Many business owners spend years living from this week to next week.
Of course.
There are always customers to serve, staff to support, and problems to solve.
Guess what - there always will be.
But if we never look beyond next week, it's very easy to wake up years later and realise nothing has really changed.
The business exists to support your life, not replace it.
If you want more freedom, don't wait until you think you've earned it.
Decide what matters.
Put the date in the calendar.
Then build your business so it can carry that commitment.
You might be surprised by how much progress happens once the goal becomes non-negotiable.
Soon I'll be sharing a workshop I’m running in October for business owners who want to create more freedom without sacrificing the quality of their business.
If that's something you've been thinking about, I'd love you to join us.
