SWAGGER Magazine’s Post

“Bugger off and enjoy your holiday.” Can you imagine if that was the default line from a boss when you were frantically running around on your last day before a week off? It would have made a refreshing change right? This summer, my clan and I have taken a couple of weeks out to enjoy the weather (yes, we do get sun in Scotland), recharge the batteries and remind ourselves once again that there is indeed… More to life than work. When you run your own business, however, time away can often leave you feeling a little anxious about the workload you will inevitably come back to on your return. That is unless you have good people around you, helping you make sense of that transition and stopping you from having a full-on meltdown. For us, 2024 was the first year running Flux on my own, so having the right partnerships in place to help me navigate busy and often challenging periods was an investment I had to make. And what a difference it has made. How do you navigate the busy holiday period as a business owner? Would you also benefit from having great people in your corner when it starts to feel too much?

🎄✨ 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.

Is your business silently stealing your life? 🤔 You promise yourself it’s just this once: missing bedtime stories, skipping date night, being on your laptop while your kid shows you their latest artwork. One more late night, one more weekend sacrificed… and yet, it never ends. Does it feel like there’s an invisible weight crushing your chest? The to-do list that grows faster than you can cross things off. The client demands that come at the worst possible times. The gnawing guilt of being in the same room with loved ones but never really being there. The cost? It’s not just exhaustion. It’s missing moments you’ll never get back—tiny smiles, whispered "I love yous," milestones you’ll only hear about secondhand. And here’s the kicker: no amount of money will buy those memories back. 💔 But let’s be honest... this isn’t the life you dreamed of when you started all of this, right? You pictured freedom—time for vacations, game nights, peaceful mornings where success felt as natural as breathing. Instead, your "freedom" feels more like a chain. Here’s the truth: the hustle doesn’t have to be your identity. There are people building wildly successful businesses without trading in peace, sleep, or their soul for it. Is it time you rewrote your own story? Imagine waking up without dread, wrapping up the workday while the sun’s still out, being fully present for the moments that matter. It’s not just possible—it’s closer than you think. So I’ll ask you this: How much longer can you afford to wait? 🕰️ Because every day you delay is one more beautiful memory slipping through your fingers—and one step further from the life you know you deserve. Drop a “🔥” if you're ready to make the shift from surviving to THRIVING, without missing what matters most. Will we see you at the top? #SuccessOnYourTerms #FreedomInBusiness 🌟

For years, the idea of a holiday sent shivers down my spine. Every beach pic on social media sent a spike of guilt through me. How could I relax while my inbox overflowed? Here's how I finally kicked holiday guilt to the curb and got some much-needed rest: ☀️ Planning: Weeks before takeoff, I became a delegation machine. My team (the real MVPs!) got clear instructions, and auto-responders became my new best friends. ☀️ Transparency: Clients and colleagues knew exactly when I'd be MIA and who to reach if emergencies arose. Communication is key! ️ ☀️ Tech Saved the Day: Scheduling apps kept things ticking while I was off the grid. Social media queues ensured my online presence didn't take a permanent siesta. Returning refreshed, I felt more focused and even landed on a brilliant new idea for the business! So, fellow business owners, you deserve a break. What are your tips for a worry-free getaway?

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.

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?

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

Panic attacks from this 𝐎𝐍𝐄 thought… How can I fit everything in while on extended summer vacation? Most Europeans welcome the luxury to take 3 - 8 weeks off. Literally OFF work.  AWAY.  𝗚𝗢𝗡𝗘. That’s great if you are an employee. It’s panic-inducing if you are a solopreneur. 😖 Here I’m freaking out because I have a business to run. Client sessions.  Social media.  Newsletters.  Website.  Calls.  Emails.  Administration. Each deserves attention and care. This summer, my bandwidth is 2 days / week. 2 days is nothing! I find myself holding my breath… 😫 no more me-time and me-routine I feel inflicted with guilt… 😫feeling torn to be there for my kids and for my business My head is racing for solutions… 😫feeling the pressure to perform and deliver My ruffled panic got so unsolvable that I wanted a way OUT. I can’t NOT be a mother. I can’t be a solopreneur who just throws away her business during summer. Here’s what I committed myself to do instead: ♣️  I want to be a creative.  Not a hustler. I find joy connecting with people and new ideas.  Not in feeding LinkedIn algorithms. I’m going to give myself permission to post -- as and when I can. Not as I must.   ♣️ I want to share the joy of a carefree summer with my family. Not be a 24/7 worry wart.  Or dreading my growing to-do list. I’m going to give myself permission to disconnect and relax in the sun. Even if it’s several days in a row. ♣️  I want to have a healthier relationship with time. I turn 43 next month. I have witnessed my exponential growth in the past 10 months of entrepreneurship. It’s the 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 I want to relish.  Not in accomplishments or numbers. Life’s too short for endless worries. Or getting myself into panic attacks. What’s your approach to enjoying summer without guilt?  Comment below 👇.

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.

There’s a lot of noise out there right now. “Now’s the time to get fit!” “Make this your best year yet!” “Start your dream business TODAY!” At the start of the year, it feels like we’re expected to hit the ground running, to chase big goals, and add more to our already full plates. After a holiday season already packed with to-dos, we’re told we need to do even more. And then, we feel guilty if we don’t. But here’s the thing — you don’t need to do any of that. And you certainly don’t need to feel guilty about it. 🌱 You’re allowed to focus on rest as the year begins. 🌱 You’re allowed to slow down, after a hectic holiday season. 🌱 You’re allowed to save your precious energy to bloom in spring, instead of draining your resources right now. Rest is as important as work in your journey towards building the life you’re dreaming of. There’s no rush to get there, and it certainly isn’t worth it if you feel depleted in the process. . . . #changinghabits #newyearresultions #selfcaretips #wellbeingtips #behaviourchange