When I first started in the insurance industry some 15 years ago, something I noticed early on was most of the more successful brokers or advisers took regular breaks or holidays. I thought, well, if it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me…and what a wise decision that was. Here is why:
- I'm much more efficient and energised working in short bursts. Essentially, a sprint is a lot easier than a marathon.
- It's great to have something to look forward to in the not too distant future. This is especially important when having a bad day, or going through a bad period at work.
- I actually sell more in the last two weeks before going on holiday than the previous 6 or 8 weeks, as I can say to clients "Hey, I'm away next week, shall we get things going before I go?" essentially giving people a defined time to make a decision.
- I'm usually (not always!!) relatively fresh as a business owner, which is really important as challenges appear in your business. This means you usually make better decisions.
- Work/life balance is very important in today's busy stressful society.
So go on then, get your next holiday or break in your diary!
Tip: The first thing you should do when you get back from a break is book your next one in your diary. I do, and it's very empowering.