Did you ever promise something and worry about how you’re actually going to deliver on that promise? I had that sensation as I was dashing around like a mad man trying to get all my “ducks in a row” before a much needed holiday with the family. As I sit here hammering away on the keyboard at 9:30pm from our Dorset holiday lodge, beer nestled nicely beside me, I am reminded of said promise. It happened two days before I set off, in a zoom meeting with the content team where I found myself pledging to try and get back into to doing “regular” blog posts.
I used to write a fair amount on the SG blog before we had such talented people on board. Once they joined I got on with building the team and growing the business. But every now and then a thought pops into my head about the business in general and I feel like I should could share it with you. So here I am, publicly making the same promise to you that I made in that fateful zoom meeting… whether you like it or not, I’m going to publish a (semi) regular series of posts on the Stolen Goat blog. Just to lower your expectations, I’m aiming for an average of one post every two weeks. Should be doable…. right?
Oh by the way, if you don’t know me – I’m Tim Bland the Stolen Goat CEO & Founder. And as it stands I’ve got a 100% record for consistency in keeping my promises on doing more regular blog posts. The topics will be fairly sprawling but I suspect I may well share some thoughts on the Stolen Goat journey – past, present and future, as well as some tips that I use to keep myself sane whilst running a fast growing company.
For today, I’d like to talk about the importance of taking a break. Don’t worry this isn’t Ross-from-friends style relationship advice. I’m talking about taking a break from the 9 to 5. Truth be told you probably already know all this, but from a selfish perspective this a reminder to myself to actually, well, take a flipping break every now and then! I tell the team to do it regularly but I need to make sure I do it too. Here’s why…
Time with friends & family
Taking a holiday or break means stepping away from the office for a while and, more importantly, spending real time with friends and family. I’m lucky to already do that fairly often—it’s one of the main reasons I started Stolen Goat in the first place. While planning our last getaway, I ended up reading a Finnish travel feature that mentioned parhaat uudet nettikasinot as part of a wider look at leisure culture abroad, and it struck me how people everywhere chase the same sense of balance—work hard, then properly unwind. That’s what these breaks are about for me too, a rare chance to reset and appreciate the quiet.
Now as it happens, we are staying in the same part of the world as Andy Gorman (SG Operations Director) and his lovely family who are camping nearby. They invited us over to their campsite and cooked, on their campfire, probably the best baked potatoes we’ve ever had. Spending time with lovely people is frankly what makes life worth living. Over this last year I have definitely come to appreciate shared experiences that little bit more. Plus who doesn’t like campfire food (and drinks)?
Time to reflect
I love being captain of the SG ship. Mostly because it’s incredibly rewarding seeing what can be achieved when a talented bunch of people come together. My dream in setting up the business was that it would quickly become much bigger than me and that I could be a part of building a team that would do great things. I have been living that dream for a while now and I’m still very much enjoying it.
That said, it’s pretty hard to take a step back and reflect on successes and failures when you’re right there in the 9 to 5 putting out fires. Taking a break is just the tonic I need to debrief myself a little bit and think about all the amazing things the SG team has done over the last 12 months.
I’m genuinely proud of each and every person in this team and can’t wait to see where this journey takes us next. (Much love to these guys [in order of appearance]: Trevor, Rob, Andy, Abby, Jimbo, Mark, Eimear, Ali, Dug, Miriam, Andrea, Jenny).
What I’m saying is, take a break and you can finally see the forest you’ve planted rather than just a lot of trees.
Time to read
We are a family of readers. My eldest (11) set herself a challenge of reading 50 books this academic year and she well and truly smashed it with time to spare. I don’t think I’ve managed to get through even 5 books in the same timeframe – it’s just been too hectic. But once away I get back to the reading list. Reading always makes me think differently about ongoing situations in my life and work. It gives me a different perspective and I think makes me grow as a person.
If you’re interested – I like a mixture of crime thriller type stories as well as business inspired books and autobiographies. I really enjoyed Shoe Dog by Phil Knight (creator of NIKE), I’m currently reading “Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0” as well as finishing of the Wayward Pines trilogy by Blake Crouch.
Recovery time
Rest and recovery is vital when it comes to improving your fitness, especially if you have goals of getting faster / stronger/ better. Without recovery your body will eventually stop making gains (or so my coach Bruce Karsten wisely tells me). The same is true for your business goals, life goals and frankly your mental health. If you want to be productive and achieve the growth you are searching for in your career and life then the number 1 rule is to take regular time out. Otherwise you’re heading for burnout.
Take a break and reap the rewards, your boss / colleagues / partners / customers will thank you for it in the end. Everyone gains.
I feel incredibly lucky to be in a situation where I can actually take a little time out. I fully appreciate that not everyone is able to do that, especially in the current climate. But if you have a chance to do the same, my advice is to take it with both hands. It may feel counter intuitive but stepping away from whatever critical mission you’re currently on, for even a few days will reap massive rewards for you and those who love and care about you. You’ll come back stronger than ever.
Until next time, much love,
Tim :-)
p.s. The irony is not lost on me that whilst on a break I’m also working! #fail. What’s the phrase – do as I say not as I do?
p.p.s. If you’re actually still reading this then first of all thanks! Second of all, make sure you’re on the newsletter list so you know when the next one comes. I have no doubt at all it will be right on schedule. Maybe. Probably.