How do you avoid tiredness when running your own business?

[FishBowl]

Recently, our entrepreneurs have been saying how tired they are. Matt in Fishbowl One has been travelling all over the country to organise venues for his business launch tour, and has been getting a maximum of 4 hours sleep per night, often sleeping on his friend's floors! He explains how he is so tired but still loving it.

Then there's Dom and Owain in Fishbowl Three. Following the advice of Expert Claire Young (finalist on The Apprentice 2004), the pair took a week long break from their business after becoming so run down that they were losing motivation. They are now back to work refreshed and raring to go.

But how can you avoid this tiredness when you're running your own business? The stress and the ownership can really take it's toll, but when you're the only one working, how can you take time off?

These guys love what they're doing, but eventually it must get you down.

Does anyone have any tips for staying energised and upbeat when you're running your own business?

[fabulous_photo_gifts]

Hmmm - well we've shut for two weeks whilst we move house and business to Buxton - stage 1 - van-loads of belongings transported is now complete. stage 2 - unpacking whilst waiting for the nice BT man to connect a phone line and an even nicer ADSL man to get us connected to the www (pretty essential when you're an internet based company) is underway with a promised completion date of next week.

FIngers crossed.

So we're 'relaxing' by moving - we must be mad but enjoying the manual labour and change of scenery - not so much the achy muscles and bruises where you're balancing heat presses on your thigh whilst trying to negotiate a set of basement steps...

You could almost (almost) call it a holiday!

Jonathan - bruised but rested.

[FishBowl]

Jonathan - correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't moving house one of the most stressful things you can do in life?

I guess the change of scenery, no matter what it is, is good for rejuvenating and resting, and just getting away from the business for a while.

What is happening with your business while you're away, and what stage is your business at?

Can an early stage business really afford time off? And if not, can you find a time in the day to relax as expert Claire Young suggests?

[echoestranslation]

Just discovered In A Fishbowl, fascinating!
Unfortunately, apart from getting someone you really trust to cover or organising your work so that you won't be missed while on holidays (but is this possible?), I don't know what you can do. Personally, I always end up taking my laptop everywhere and doing some work over breaks or weekends. Haven't had a holiday while on business yet.

[AdamW]

I sleep

[fabulous_photo_gifts]

Hi.

We've had to shut the website down - effectively taking no orders for a fortnight (or when the broadband is connected whichever is sooner).

We're using the time to unpack, set up the office and all the printing equipment, re-evaluate stock levels and tweak the website in time for the big switch on.

Still tweeting <a href="http://twitter.com/fabphotogifts">@fabphotogifts</a> and keeping customers informed etc.

It's going to be very exciting when we go 'live' again - we can't wait.

Cheers - Jonathan.
P.s we've not had a holiday in 6 years - apart from long weekends when one or the othr has stayed at home. I think we're due a break don't you?

[AdamW]

You certainly are due a break! Although it's hard I think it's important to take a break - work to live and not live to work and all that.

[Business Data Solutions]

Personally I think.... Don't overwork yourself. If you work too hard you're brain doesn't function properly and you may end up make poor business decisions. Relax if your feeling tired. And Delegate, Delegate, Delegate

[NikkiPilkington]

As I'm combining looking after a 3 month old baby (with some help, thankfully) and running a business, there's no time for relaxing just at the moment - I can sleep when Baby O is 18 I guess..

[FishBowl]

fabulous_photo_gifts - I am now following you on Twitter :-) Interested to see how you get on.

It must have been tough to make the decision to shut your website down for 2 weeks - how did you come to that decision? Were you concerned you might miss out on business?

Business Data Solutions and Adam - I agree completely that having a break is important, as Claire Young (inafishbowl Expert) explained in her blog.

Has anyone actually taken a week long break, with no work, no laptop, no nothing in the past couple of years? Or is it too much of a risk to take?

[FishBowl]

Originally Posted by NikkiPilkington

As I'm combining looking after a 3 month old baby (with some help, thankfully) and running a business, there's no time for relaxing just at the moment - I can sleep when Baby O is 18 I guess..

Nikki you sound like Wonderwoman! That must be very hard work. Good luck!

[BinhZientek]

Rest? I don't know the meaning of the word sometimes. I only have a week break once per year and even that is a working holiday. But I love my job so I cannot complain.

[FishBowl]

Definately, loving your job helps when you have to work all the time! Perhaps all we can hope for is short breaks in the evening when we turn off our phone and get some rest!

I had this discussion on Twitter as part of #fishbowlfriday, and will be posting the top tips gained on there on Enterprise Nation tomorrow.

[hdm]

I am very fortunate that I love my work. I do find though that I push myself to the max all week, and the tiredness always hits me at the weekends.

I book my annual 2-week holiday nearly a year in advance, as I am aware how important this is.

[FishBowl]

Originally Posted by hdm

I am very fortunate that I love my work. I do find though that I push myself to the max all week, and the tiredness always hits me at the weekends.

I book my annual 2-week holiday nearly a year in advance, as I am aware how important this is.

That's great advice - do you find because your holiday is booked in advance you are more likely to think of it as something you are going to do? ie if it wasn't booked so far in advance, do you think you would get round to booking a holiday or would you get tied up in what's happening in your business and how you perceive yourself to be too busy for a break?

For you all, here is the link the #fishbowlfriday's top tips to combat tiredness on Enterprise Nation: Enterprise Nation - 5 tips to combat tiredness

[hdm]

Hello Fishbowl

It all started several years ago. I suddenly found that other staff had booked up their holidays, and there was no time left for me
Since then, I've always booked up well in advance. I like to discover different European destinations, the paths less trodden, away from all the tourists. Once booked, it's good to research the area, not that I've had the time to do much research this year.

But, yes, if I didn't book, I would perceive myself too busy to take a break.

[FishBowl]

Hello HDM :-)

Booking holidays in advance is a great tip. I think it can be difficult for entrepreneurs to comprehend that the business can carry on in their absence, and that taking some time off won't be the end of the world!

Discovering new destinations must really give you chance to open your mind and think about what you want for yourself and your business.

[hdm]

Before I go, I always think that I'm not going to be able to let go, or put down my "rucksack". Once there, I realise that I can switch off, and enjoy my well deserved break.

I'm actually off on my hols in a couple of weeks, so I'm getting excited now

[FishBowl]

Sounds lovely. Where are you off to?

[hdm]

This year, we're off to the Beja region of Portugal. I've booked a villa through Holiday Rentals.