Work Life Balance

How Many Holidays Should a Business Owner Take?

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If you own a business, when was the last time you took a proper break without feeling like you should be back at work?

I meet plenty of business owners who tell me they want more holidays, more time with their family and more opportunities to actually enjoy what they’ve built. But unless that time is deliberately planned, there’s always something in the business that gets in the way.

I’m a big believer that holidays shouldn’t just happen when you finally find a gap in the calendar. I have a simple system I use each year to make sure I get proper holidays, shorter breaks and plenty of long weekends throughout the year.

It’s good for me, it’s good for my family and I reckon it’s good for the business too. When you’re constantly working without taking a break, eventually you become stale, your productivity drops and your team can start picking up on it as well.

In the video below, I’ll show you exactly how I plan my holidays each year and the simple system I use to make sure they actually happen.

You might not want the same number of holidays or the same types of trips I do, and that’s not really the point. The important thing is having a system and putting the time aside before the year gets away from you.

After all, your business should give you more choices in life, not fewer.

Please reach out if you need help structuring a plan.

Thanks,
Hugh

Are Your Priorities in the Right Order?

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Many business owners find themselves constantly putting out fires, responding to customer demands and working long hours, often at the expense of their own wellbeing and family life.

In this short video, I share a simple framework that can help you make better decisions about where to spend your time and energy.

The framework challenges the way many business owners prioritise the important areas of their life and highlights why getting those priorities out of order can lead to burnout, stress and strained relationships.

I explain why looking after yourself should come first, followed by your family, your business, your team and finally your customers.

It may sound surprising at first, but when you understand the reasoning behind this approach, it becomes much easier to make decisions that support both your personal wellbeing and long term business success.

Watch the video below to learn how this simple framework can help you create better balance and focus on what matters most.

Thanks

Hugh

Reducing Stress as a Business Owner

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As business owners, we all face stressful periods from time to time. The challenge isn’t avoiding stress completely, it’s knowing how to manage it before it starts affecting your health, relationships and business performance.

In this short video, I share some of the strategies I’ve used myself, along with the advice I often give business owners when they’re feeling overwhelmed.

I talk about the importance of seeking support from other business owners and trusted advisers, as well as focusing on the fundamentals that are often neglected during stressful times:

• Setting healthy work boundaries
• Exercising regularly
• Eating well
• Getting enough sleep
• Taking time off to recharge

If you’re feeling the pressure of running a business, take a few minutes to watch the video below. I hope it gives you some practical ideas you can implement straight away.

Reducing Stress for Business Owners

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Reducing Stress for Business Owners

As a business coach, I often see owners struggling with stress – and I’ve been there myself. What I’ve learned is that while the challenges you face may not always be as big as they feel, the impact on your wellbeing, your business, and your life is very real. 

That’s why I want to share some practical ways I manage and recommend to my clients when stress starts to take over. It starts with self-care: setting clear work hours so you don’t burn out, exercising daily to clear your head, eating a healthy and balanced diet, getting 7 to 9 hours of good sleep, and taking regular breaks or holidays to recharge. 

The other big one is seeking support. Whether it’s talking with other business owners, leaning on a mentor, or speaking with a professional, you don’t have to go through stress alone. 

These simple steps have helped me and my clients reduce stress, regain balance, and perform better in business and life.

If you’re feeling the pressure, let’s talk – I’d be happy to help.

Thanks
Hugh
0409 402 474

Why Holidays Are Great for Business – with Hugh Bowman

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In this video, I’m sharing something a bit different – why taking holidays has become one of the best things I do for my business.

Every time I take a proper break like last week’s trip to Mt Hotham with my five boys, I come back clearer, sharper, and more energised than ever. But more than that, I always seem to learn, realise big ideas, attract unexpected leads, and return refreshed and ready to make big changes.

Here’s what I’ve noticed after years of doing this:

  • LEARN: I set myself up to learn while I’m away (yes, even if my kids have to listen to Jim Rohn in the car!)

  • REALISE: I have those lightbulb moments when I finally slow down – whether I’m on a chairlift or holding a fishing rod

  • LEADS: I get surprising leads out of nowhere (I don’t know why, but it always happens)

  • REFRESHED: I come back with energy and perspective I just can’t access when I’m stuck in the daily grind

If you’re running a business, especially as a tradie or hands-on owner, I really encourage you to plan your holidays well in advance and take more of them! They’re not time away from your business… they’re fuel for what’s next.

Take the break. You (and your business) will be better for it.

– Hugh