A long time.

Simply put.

If a CEO has done her job, she has a strong team, trust from her clients and a well-oiled machine that needs the chance to test its mechanics. Sure, I had anxiety when I vacationed for almost a month, leaving my three-year-old company behind for the first time. We had recently opened our first office, my newest employee was only two months along, and I approve everything before our clients see our work.

What would they do without me?

Turns out smart people do smart things when you leave them. And I’m happy to report, they also learn fast when they don’t have a “boss the crutch” to lean on. I hire intelligent, quick-learning people who make me happy, who make my clients happy. I can – and should – trust them to responsibly run the company in my absence. Isn’t that why I hire intelligent, quick-learning people?

It brings me peace of mind, both that I followed my dreams to ride my bicycle in Spain and Morocco and that the team held it together. In follow up meetings with my staff, I heard a few things in common:

• “You seem happier.”
• I wouldn’t have normally made this decision on my own, but here’s my thinking and decision-making process that I used in your absence.
• I learned how much I know.
• Thank you for letting go.

Thank you. Each one of my employees thanked me for taking care of myself and setting the lead for his/her own vacation. Even though each took on more work, more responsibility, more stress.

Without exception, my clients also expressed how the team handled their duties.

Everything I read about work/life balance and happiness in the workplace points to stepping away from business to breathe fresh air and think differently. Everything says that we are happier and more productive when we treat ourselves to vacations and time out of the office. And, even though the most common thing I hear from business leaders is, I don’t have time or I can’t get away, I’m here to say you can.

And you should.

Life is too short. Your employees need your work/life balance leadership. Your staff want empowerment. And, even if something does go wrong, chances are, you can deal with it when you return.

What are you waiting for? Book your vacation today.