How Often Do You Take Time Off Work - To Focus On Work?

Let me ask you something: When was the last time you took a day off work, to work on work?

Not to tackle your inbox or chase your to-do list, but to really think about your business and the direction in which it’s moving. Giving yourself a change to reflect, review, plan and grow.  

If your answer is “I can’t remember” or “Who has time for that?”, you’re not alone.

Any small business owner knows that dilemma. Taking time away from the pile of ‘work’ that is sitting on the desk or the ever-growing things to do list, feels indulgent and unproductive. After all, that deadline isn’t going to push itself back and the stack of emails won’t just disappear whilst sipping your Columbian coffee and nibbling on an almond croissant at a conference.

But here’s the truth I’ve learned and which I regularly remind my clients: taking time away from your day-to-day tasks is not avoiding work. It is the work.

Why We Struggle to Step Away

Let’s be honest, there’s almost a ‘badge-of-honour’ mentality in small business culture about who is working the hardest, who has the most bookings or who is buried under the most paperwork. And stepping away, well that can feel like cheating the system. We worry that if we’re not visibly “doing”, we’re not contributing. If we’re not ticking tasks off the list, we’re not achieving anything. But constantly doing without thinking, connecting or developing will lead only to stagnation. Your business might still be ticking along - but is it evolving into your business of the future?

Space to Think

When you're in the thick of it, your brain can only react, it hasn’t got the capacity to actively and thoughtfully respond. You answer questions on the go, fix everyone’s problems and chase deadlines. There’s no space and time for creativity. No space and time for breathing innovation into your product. No space and time to craft a successful strategy. Stepping away from the daily noise, even for a few hours, will give your brain the space it needs to start thinking differently, to find solutions to long-standing issues and a chance to reconnect and re-evaluate why you started this journey in the first place.

Taking time to think isn't self-indulgent. It's foundational.

Space to Talk

Running a business can be a remarkably lonely experience, even when you think you’ve got it all together. One of the most powerful things you can do is step out of your workspace and talk to other people in the same boat: whether that be a networking event, a topical conference or just picking up the phone to your executive support partner. These moments of shared experience are part of your development as a business leader and decision-maker. Conversations with other professionals aren’t just nice, they’re utterly necessary to clear the mind and reignite your energies and passion. They offer perspective, challenge your assumptions, spark ideas, and remind you that you're not the only one figuring it out as you go.

Space for CPD

Continued Professional Development (CPD) can so easily fall to the bottom of the list - somewhere between “redesign website” and “organise tax return”.

But taking time to learn something new, refresh your thinking or update yourself on new market developments is an investment in both you and your business. It could be as simple as an online course, a podcast during a walk or a skills-focused webinar. Or it could be something more immersive such as a workshop, a qualification or a training programme.

The point is: your learning shouldn’t stop because your schedule is full. If anything, the busier you are, the more you need to keep sharpening the tools you’re working with.

Space to Attend Conferences (Yes, Really)

Ah, conferences - those elusive unicorns that sound exciting on paper but often feel impossible to justify in reality. After all, who has time to travel, sit through keynotes, make small talk and eat tiny pastries while your inbox fills up back home? The answer is simple: You do. Or at least, you should.

Because conferences give you a rare opportunity to:

• Hear new ideas before they hit the mainstream.

• Connect with people who challenge and inspire you.

• Get out of your usual environment and into a mindset of growth.

  
  

And sometimes, you just need to sit in a room where people understand what it means to wear all the hats and leave feeling seen, heard, and motivated.

Reframing What "Work" Really Means

I think it’s important that we reframe how and what we think about the concept of ‘work’. It’s all to easy to think of it as the stuff you do sitting at a desk or activities that can be ticked off a list.  The thing is, work is so much more than that.  It’s taking a strategic walk to mull over your next move, attending a workshop that gives you a new tool, reading a book that challenges your principles and approach, sitting in silence, pen in hand, asking yourself what you want next for your business.

All of it counts. All of it matters. And all of it feeds your ability to lead, grow, and sustain what you’re building.

Striking a Balance

Of course, the trick is finding balance. Too much “thinking time” and nothing gets delivered whilst too much “doing time” and your business gets stuck in rinse-and-repeat mode. You don’t need to overhaul your schedule overnight, but you do need to make intentional space for these other ways of working.

Try blocking out one morning a fortnight just to reflect, plan, or learn. Book that one-day conference you’ve been putting off. Schedule a monthly check-in with a fellow business owner to swap stories and advice. Start small, but the key is to actually start.

The Role of SL Executive Solutions in All This

One of the things I often support clients with is carving out this space for themselves; almost giving them permission to take a step back and realign the vision for their company. Not only do I take over the background work (the admin, the systems, the processes etc) but I partner with you. I become the sounding board, the critical friend, the one who asks, “Have you had any time away from the desk this week?” and then gently hold you to account to help you grow and lead as a stronger business owner.

I also step in as an independent reviewer when things get sticky - performance issues, formal conversations, disciplinary processes. I bring structure, neutrality and calm when it's needed most.

Because stepping away isn’t just about rest. It’s about perspective. And sometimes, that’s the most valuable contribution of all.

So, I’ll ask you again, ‘How Often Do You Take Time Off Work, to Work on Work?

If the answer is “rarely” - maybe this is your sign to start. Your desk will still be there when you get back. But you might return to it with a clearer head, a better plan and a renewed sense of purpose. You don’t need to do it alone. And you certainly don’t need to wait until you’re burnt out to make a change.

Ready to reclaim some space and get back to working on your business instead of drowning in it? Let’s talk - I’d love to support you.