SWAGGER Magazine’s Post

🎄✨ Attention Family Business Owners! ✨🎄 As the holiday season approaches, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of running a family business. But remember, taking time to sit back, relax, and recharge is just as important as closing those year-end deals! This season, prioritize self-care and family time. Whether it’s enjoying a cozy evening by the fireplace, indulging in festive treats, or simply spending quality time with loved ones, these moments are essential for your well-being and the success of your business. Here are a few tips to help you unwind during the holidays: Schedule Breaks: Block out time in your calendar for relaxation and family activities. Unplug: Consider stepping away from emails and social media to fully immerse yourself in the holiday spirit. Reflect and Set Goals: Use this time to reflect on your achievements and set intentions for the new year. Remember, a well-rested mind is a productive mind! Wishing you all a joyful holiday season filled with love, laughter, and rejuvenation.

That feeling when you know your summer holiday is over, but everyone else seems to be planning their getaway. Let's help each other turn post-holiday blues into productive wins. Here are my top tips for surviving the first week back: 🔷 Soak up the quiet and tackle that to-do list. 🔷 Bring a touch of vacation to your desk (Holiday playlist). 🔷 Schedule some "me time" to recharge. If like me you struggle to pick up and read a book whilst away, I recommend Audible - Such an easy way to enjoy relaxing by the pool, or for me now the London commute. My recommendations are 1. Social Selling by Tim Hughes and Matt Reynolds 2. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T.Kiyosaki 3. Money Men by Dan McCrum - I started this one, but not yet completed Please share your tips/books below

The best gift you can give your family? Time. As the holidays approach, I’m reminded of the memories my parents created for me when I was a child. Now, as a leader and a parent, it’s my turn to do the same for my kids. Last Friday, my family and I took the day off to visit Santa’s Village. Watching my kids meet Santa and enjoy the magic of the season was priceless. Moments like these remind me of the importance of stepping away and being present. That day made me think: • 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿: The work will always be there, but your kids are only little once. • 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺: Your business can thrive when you have a strong structure and team in place. • 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: Taking time for yourself and your family helps you return to work more focused and energized. At the end of the day, it’s not just about the business you build—it’s about the memories you make along the way. How do you make time for family during the busy holiday season?

I love taking time off during the holidays—not just because I can, but because family is everything. Spending quality time with my wife and daughter is priceless. Being a business owner gives me the freedom to create my schedule, take the time I need, and truly enjoy these moments. As the holidays approach, I want to ask: What does freedom look like to you? ✨ More family time? ✨ More vacations? ✨ More time for yourself? ✨ More success? Whatever your dream life looks like, business ownership could help make it a reality. Why not start exploring the possibilities today? 🌟 Ready to explore what that might look like for you? It only takes a simple call to get started. Let's chat and see where your next chapter could take you! 📞 https://lnkd.in/eNqX_FZ5  #CreateYourFuture #BusinessOpportunity #Freedom #EntrepreneurLife #LiveOnYourTerms #TakeTheLeap

The holiday season should be about joy, not juggling tasks. Yet I see so many entrepreneurs: • Drowning in year end reports • Struggling with holiday customer service • Missing family moments for urgent emails • Battling holiday burnout But here's the thing, it does not have to be this way. As a Virtual Assistant who has helped clients reclaim 20+ hours weekly, I know the power of strategic delegation. Imagine: 4. Enjoying Christmas dinner without checking emails 3. Having your social media running smoothly through the holidays 2. Starting 2025 with organized systems. 1. Actually taking that holiday break you deserve Feels like something you need ?, you can turn it around by delegating these time consuming task. Send a "DM" because deserve to enjoy both business success AND holiday moments. Merry christmass. To my amazing LinkedIn community, I want to express my deepest gratitude. • Thank you for every shared opportunity that opened new doors • For every piece of feedback that helped me grow • For every DM, comment, and insight that shaped my understanding of what businesses truly need • For making this platform feel like a true community of growth Your support has been incredible.

Nobody owes you a solution to your problems. Identify the problems and try to figure out a solution or a way forward. You’re much more likely to receive help if you’re making an effort. If you’re stuck, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Most people are genuinely good and willing to assist. Don’t let a few bad apples discourage you, although be aware of it. That’s the post for today. #wendysThoughts #forTheYouthSeries P.S. My inspiration for this post: Winter can feel very long here, with the dark, wet, and cold weather. I need to find ways to keep going until spring arrives. Traveling to warm destinations isn’t an option for me - I’ve run out of vacation days, I need to work, and such trips can be very expensive. Instead, I’ve been buying tickets for sports games, concerts, and other events. It’s made a tremendous difference. These outings don’t cost too much, and all it takes is a bit of planning to go out and enjoy them.

At the half way point in the year, it’s important to acknowledge how far we have come, what we have learnt, what we want to let go of moving forward and what we hope to achieve in the second half of the year. The summer months also see the start of people heading off on holidays. My own comes at the end of this week (so there won’t be episodes until the end of the month now!) Holidays are a time to take a break. Make sure that you put everything you need to take a proper break in place before you go away. This can be really hard for a business owner. Use out of office. Divert important emails to a colleague. Use the time away to connect with nature. To reconnect with family. Enjoy being in the moment. When you give yourself this break you will come back fully charged and with new creative ideas that will boost your business in the second half of the year. Enjoy your summer break. Enjoy the moment! Until next time! Keep on shining and reaching for your best!

A home filled with what you like, need, and use - things that bring a deliberate and specific sense of joy - is quite simply a joy. And when you can find what you need, when you need it - without stress and frustration and navigating what can feel like an obstacle course - life really opens up to you. When you aren't saddled with too much/many - obligations, chores, stuff - you are freer to contemplate and decide what is best for you, and to live your life enjoying the people. Isn't that what you want? It is certainly what you deserve. In this season where so much focus is on buying more and more...and more...be sure you are deliberate in your choices and how you spend your time and money. When the season ends and the parties stop, make sure what you are left with benefits you and the life you want to live. #lifearchitect #lessisalwaysmore #lessthings #moreexperiences

As a small business owner, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day demands, feeling like there's never a good time to step away. There's always something more to do, someone to help, a deadline to meet. I know I'm guilty of this at Day Violins LLC, especially during our busy season. But recently, I took a break—a real break—and spent four days driving across the country with my son. As the miles and farmhouses rolled by, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. For the first time in a long time, I allowed myself to disengage, to stare out the window. To converse with my son about everything and nothing. The beauty of the open road gave me time to reflect—not only on the incredible country we live in, but also on the work we do every day as small business owners. Most people have no idea what we really do behind the scenes or how much heart goes into our work. Perspectives of what my small business entails change from region to region. As I spoke to people across the country, it was eye opening how some things weren't as important as others, how things I stress about, others do not have to. It was good to see their side of the story. These perceptions may vary from state to state, but one thing remains the same: the importance of taking time for yourself, your loved ones, and the moments that truly matter. I was reminded that while it's crucial to get the word out about who we are and what we do, it's even more important to cherish the people who are by our side. Time with my son, these shared moments—these are the things that keep us grounded. One day he won’t need my help like this anymore. Just like the last time I picked him up and didn’t realize it was the last, I’m taking advantage of the time we have together now. So, to my fellow small business owners, take the break. Reconnect with what matters most. The work will still be there, but the moments with those we love won’t last forever. #SmallBusiness #WorkLifeBalance #FamilyFirst #Gratitude #Perspective

At the start of every fall, I feel like I’m starting anew, waking up refreshed and ready for new adventures. As a new business season begins, leading up to Christmas, I’ve made a little guide to keep my spirits high and my energy flowing during those tough days! 😘 𝐒𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐩. Mariia, you’re about to juggle a thousand new tasks, but don’t forget the magic of sleep. Go to bed by 11 p.m. and wake up at 6-7 a.m. Your dreams will thank you! 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐞. Never underestimate the power of movement! There will always be a hundred things demanding your attention, but remember, run is your secret weapon for energy and positivity. Keep moving! 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬. Carve out time for your friends. A cozy conversations over tea or a glass of wine brings more peace than you know and offers a delightful escape from the hustle. 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧. Though you’ve gotten used to flying solo in emigration, remember that distance doesn’t minimize love. Even if your husband and family are not nearby, you are still together. Find time to share news and find comfort in each other, especially in these difficult times. 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐛𝐛𝐢𝐞𝐬. You will likely have little time for this, but don’t let them fade away! Drawing, reading, making candles, or crafting beaded bracelets - these small joys light up your days. 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞. Set a goal to walk at least 10,000 steps. Turn your walks into little adventures. Discover new neighborhoods, find hidden gems, and let curiosity lead the way! ✨ I want you to savor healthy meals, host parties on weekends, and celebrate the fact that you draw energy from the world around you, not just from a cup of coffee. Mariia, this fall will be challenging, but may it be just as wonderful for you as the summer was. Here’s to a fantastic new business season 😎You’re in New York, babe!