It’s not weakness. It’s just good planning.

By and large, business owners are a fairly motivated bunch. There's a reason you took the plunge into self-employment. Admittedly, that reason can get a bit blurry around 7pm when you're still doing invoices. But deep down, your business gives you something a regular job never quite did. On the flip side it often means you're the boss, the salesperson, the delivery team and the IT wizard, all rolled into one. Which is fine, right up until you're not.

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve spoken to several people who either got knocked sideways by nasty winter bugs, found themselves unexpectedly navigating our fabulous (?) ACC system or struggling with their mood and motivation when life all gets a bit much. For me, this September marks the first anniversary of my mother in-law’s passing - another timely reminder of life’s seasons.

There are definitely times when you should take your foot off the accelerator and give yourself permission to slow down. How you achieve that may require a bit of pre-planning and smoke and mirrors but nothing is more important than your health and those you care for.

I’m incredibly lucky to have a business-coach-come-friend-come-client who can read me like a book and knows just what to say to encourage and support me. And that’s often enough – just knowing someone is in your corner.

If you are your own boss, or responsible for a small team, I really encourage you to put systems in place or find that support network so you can temporarily slow down or step back if you need to.

It’s not weakness – it’s just good planning.