A Pause Worth Taking: The Importance of Finding Balance in Business and Life
The Power of the Pause
As you read this, I’ll be traveling with good friends — some of whom are small business owners. I’m so happy they can step away, and grateful that their business partner and teams are holding down the fort, keeping everything running smoothly while they take a moment to step back. It’s a gift and a relief, because even with that support, I know well the anxiety that creeps in when you decide to go offline — the “what-ifs” that rise uninvited in the middle of the night. At some point, as business owners, caring for the well-being of your business becomes second nature, a quiet pulse running beneath everything you do.
It’s different for me now, but I carry both the memory of what that was like and the reminder of why creating space to pause matters — no matter what stage you’re in. Years ago, I reflected on this in a Worcester Business Journal article, noting a scrap of paper I had written and pinned on the bulletin board above my desk in the bakery office that read: “It’s just bread and coffee.” That little phrase became a compass through the busiest, most stressful moments in the bakery, a reminder to zoom out, breathe, and not let the weight of the work feel heavier than it needed to be. I can’t say that phrase solved all my problems, but it did help me put things in perspective when I allowed the stress to take over. That note now lives in my desk drawer at home, and I always smirk when I see it — its push-pin holes piercing the top and bottom, and, on the back, the faded letters of the original BirchTree menu, a reminder of how good that corned beef and kraut sandwich was.
Seeing that little note over the years reminded me that pausing and letting go aren’t just luxuries — they’re essential. In a world where hustle culture idolizes relentless work and nonstop productivity, often at the expense of self-care, rest, and balance, it’s easy to get caught in long hours, constant availability, and the pressure to always be “on.” While it may drive short-term results, over time it leads to burnout, anxiety, and decreased productivity. Stepping back — even for a few hours — becomes an act of resistance, a way to reclaim clarity, creativity, and well-being.
Sometimes pausing looks like a few quiet hours, a walk around the block, or even just a Sunday morning without checking email. The size of the pause doesn’t matter as much as the practice of taking it. And if that feels impossible — if you’re thinking, “I can’t afford a pause, someone has to keep the business running, pay the bills” — that’s exactly the moment to pay attention. The anxiety isn’t a sign of failure; it’s a leadership check-in. It shows you where systems, training, or trust might need strengthening — a chance to create the conditions that make stepping away possible, no matter the stage of your business or the size of your team.
Build Systems for Freedom
One of the biggest myths is that freedom comes only after you have the perfect team. The truth is, you start where you are. Even the smallest systems — a checklist, a shared calendar, a few written processes — can lift some of the weight from your shoulders and prevent everything from resting solely on you.
My years of teaching taught me the power of clear instructions, the value of manageable expectations, and the quiet liberation that comes from letting go of the idea that everything must be perfect. No teacher would hand a substitute the most complicated lesson on day one; they start small, give support, and build from there. Leaders can do the same: hand off smaller responsibilities, let others succeed, and expand gradually.
I call this the “sub plan mindset.” Teachers don’t write lesson plans for themselves; they write them so someone else can step in and keep the day moving. Leaders can adopt the same approach — documenting workflows, leaving clear expectations, and then trusting others to carry the torch. The key is to encourage your team to think like owners — making decisions with confidence and treating the business as if it were their own. To help them get there, lead by example: model the behaviors, care, and mindset you want to see. The culture of your business starts with you: how you respond to unexpected situations, the genuine check-ins with customers as you walk out the door, the sweeping of floors at the end of the night — all small acts that show you care and that you’re in it together.
Almost every small business owner I know — myself included — has said at some point, “No one will ever care as much as I do.” I get it — truly, I do. But I’ve also learned that you can guide someone to get there. By investing in them, teaching them to do your job well, sharing your care and standards, and then giving them the space to grow, you can help them rise to that same level of ownership and commitment.
Yes, it takes time and effort, and yes, it feels risky. Not everyone will rise to the occasion. But the right people are out there — and when you nurture them, your drive and passion begin to ripple outward. It won’t reach everyone, but it will touch those who are ready and willing to step up, to take ownership, and to carry that same level of care forward.
Prepare Your Team
Taking a day off or a week away doesn’t happen by chance. It requires preparation:
Set Your Team Up for Success: Create systems and processes so your team can operate smoothly while you’re gone. Make sure the right people are in place to lead and have the tools they need. Prepare answers for common “what if” scenarios — Keep key phone numbers, contacts, and instructions easily accessible.
Trust Their Judgment: Encourage your team to think like owners — making decisions and solving problems with confidence. The more prepared you make them, the more empowered they’ll feel to act independently.
Let Go: Release control over outcomes and trust your systems, your people, and yourself. Remember, stepping back is as much about creating space for your own clarity as it is about allowing your team to grow.
Create Space for Renewal
Being able to pause from your business creates mental breathing room — the quiet space where the best creative and strategic insights often emerge. Inspiration lives outside the daily grind: in a café, a museum shop, a family-run store you pop into, or wandering through the woods. Stepping back lets your perspective reset, your energy return, and your decisions be guided by clarity rather than urgency.
I recently asked a good friend and long-time business owner what taking time off looks like and how he makes it possible. He said my question reminded him of Emerson’s words: “Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us, or we find it not.” He added that the same applies to work-life balance: you have to carry the balance you want with you, or you won’t find it. This means getting your priorities straight and adjusting your business and expectations to fit them. Only then can you move forward with confidence, knowing that time off will come when you need it. Balance, perspective, and renewal aren’t things you stumble across — they are choices you intentionally bring with you into your work and life.
Working for yourself often means no formal paid time off, no built-in breaks, and few people to cover your responsibilities, which can make taking longer breaks feel risky. Yet both research and lived experience show overworking doesn’t lead to better results — it can reduce productivity, creativity, and well-being. Intentional days off, mini-retreats, or vacations aren’t luxuries; they sustain your energy and help you maintain perspective. Time away lets you step back from immediate pressures, see the bigger picture, and return with fresh ideas and renewed focus. Making this possible may require planning ahead, delegating tasks, setting boundaries, or restructuring your workflow. By treating time off as an intentional part of your work strategy, you protect your well-being and give your business the best chance to thrive.
Your Invitation to Pause
Taking a step back from your business doesn’t have to feel impossible. With the right systems, processes, and support in place, you can take a day off, a weekend, or even a full week — and do it with confidence. You don’t need a perfect team or flawless systems to start. Begin where you are: create small processes, share the load, and take that first step toward stepping back.
When you pause, let yourself breathe — it’s just bread and coffee. The world keeps turning, your business keeps running, and the moments you carve out for yourself nurture perspective, spark new ideas, and support a sustainable, balanced life and business. After all, isn’t that the end goal? To have a business you run, not one that runs you.
If you’re wondering how to make stepping away possible — how to set up systems, delegate with confidence, and trust that your business will thrive without you — I can help. I’ve been there, and I can guide you in building the structure that allows you to pause without anxiety and return renewed, focused, and ready to work. Reach out, and let’s create that freedom together.
