If you’ve been in the REI business a long time and find the long hours are taking their toll on you, maybe it’s time to take a break, or at least stop working so hard. You could outsource some work, close the business down temporarily, cut-back your hours, or sell some properties. These simple clues will help you determine if you need a break from your business:
1. Dreading the work day. Remember when you went to bed excited about getting to work the next day? If you’ve come to dread the thought of work instead of feeling that excitement, it’s a sure sign you need a break.
2. Diminished creativity. If your creative juices seem to be as thick as mud and ideas just don’t seem to flow anymore, you may need a break from your business.
3. Feeling overwhelmed. If it feels like the world is closing in on you, it’s definitely time to step back and look at your business objectively to see where you can simplify and cut back.
4. Frequent depression or irritability. If you find yourself snapping at everyone around you, feeling impatient and frustrated over the least little thing, or sad for no reason, take a break before it gets worse.
5. Lack of sleep or insomnia. Struggling to fall asleep, or the inability to stay asleep are common signs of stress. Take a break and release those thoughts that hinder your rest. Your body needs it, as well as your mind.
6. Health problems. Insomnia, acid indigestion, ulcers, lack of appetite or other health problems indicate stress and overwork are harming you physically. If you’re feeling bad and not sure why, take a break and see if your stress level improves.
7. Troubled relationships. If your loved ones are telling you that you work too hard or too many hours, you probably are. It’s much easier for someone looking in from the outside to point out the issues in our lives. Especially if that someone is a neglected spouse or child who misses you.
Your work is important. It’s what pays the bills and puts food on the table. But letting it rule you isn’t good. Look for these simple clues that you need a break from your business, then take that break if you find you need it.
