This episode explores the idea that rest is not a reward for success, but a structural part of a sustainable business. Sara shares why she is taking an extended summer sabbatical and how her business has been designed to support that choice. The conversation is for business owners who want to step away without fear that everything will fall apart. It offers a practical and values-based perspective on time off, systems, and long-term wellbeing.
In this episode, we explore:
- Why extended time off can be a strategic decision rather than a risk
- How business models, programs, and client work can be structured around rest
- Seasonal rhythms and why certain times of year naturally support slowing down
- The role of systems, boundaries, and communication in sustainable leadership
- Cultural beliefs about productivity and how they shape burnout
Key takeaways
- Rest is positioned as a foundation for sustainable service and leadership
- Income stability does not require constant availability or overwork
- Clear boundaries and advance planning make extended time off possible
- Systems allow a business to function without the owner’s constant presence
- Regular, intentional rest supports clarity, creativity, and better decision-making
Resources mentioned
- Free Guide: 7 Hidden Ways Your Unresolved Wounds Are Sabotaging Your Business
Episode FAQs
What does it mean to treat rest as a business strategy?
In this episode, rest is described as something planned into the structure of a business, rather than taken only when there is leftover time. This includes how programs are delivered, when clients are seen, and how the year is paced.
Is this approach only realistic for established businesses?
The episode acknowledges that extended sabbaticals are often built over time. However, it emphasizes that even small, consistent periods of rest can be designed into a business at many stages.
How does this perspective relate to spiritual and psychological work?
Rest is framed as essential for integration, nervous system regulation, and clarity. These elements support both inner work and practical decision-making in business.
What role do systems play in making rest possible?
Systems such as documented processes, project management tools, and clear communication reduce dependency on the business owner. This allows work to continue without constant oversight.
Who is this episode most helpful for?
This conversation is especially relevant for women business owners who feel depleted, overextended, or conflicted about stepping away, and who want a model that honors both service and personal wellbeing.
Read the Full Transcript
What if taking time off wasn’t something you had to earn, but something your business was built to support? Today I’m sharing why I am stepping away for seven full weeks this summer, and how that decision has become one of the most strategic moves I’ve made in my business. I want to walk you through how I’ve structured my programs, my team, and my systems to make this possible.
I want to talk about why I believe rest isn’t the opposite of success. It’s actually the foundation of it. If you’ve ever dreamed of taking real time off but felt afraid that everything would fall apart in your absence, this episode offers both perspective and a practical framework.
I want to talk about taking real time off, not just a long weekend or a staycation where you’re still checking email. I’m talking about true sabbatical time, where rest is a core part of your business strategy.
This is the third year in a row that I’m taking the full month of August off, and this year I’m extending that to seven weeks. It’s a full season of stepping back to nourish, reset, and allow the next season of my life and business to take shape.
I know some of the immediate concerns that come up: what about clients, income, or things falling apart while you’re gone? These were thoughts I had for years before I made this decision. What I’ve learned is that the more generous I am with myself in this way, the better everything functions overall.
For over a decade, I took two weeks off in August and two weeks in December and closed my business during that time. That rhythm worked well and eventually became a foundation for expanding further. In 2023, I took my first full month off in August. In 2024, I took the full month of August and December. Now I’m doing both, and more.
This was never just about vacation. I know that I function best when I honor my natural rhythms. I don’t do my best work when I’m constantly on. I need periods of quiet, stillness, and being fully unplugged. That’s when I return to myself and can bring my best work forward.
Over time, I realized that I get to run my business in a way that works best for me, not just in the way that’s most convenient or expected. When I operate from depletion, my creativity and clarity suffer. Overworking starts to look a lot like underworking.
Our culture teaches us to push past these signals, but pushing through diminishes the quality of what we create. Some of my biggest insights and breakthroughs have happened during extended breaks. I return with more clarity about what to continue, what to release, and how to simplify.
A few years ago, I realized that if I wanted this life, I needed to start building it now. I restructured my business model, planned further in advance, rethought how I delivered programs, managed cash flow, and communicated with my team. Throughout all of this, my income has remained stable and even grown.
This year includes a wedding, a honeymoon, and a move to France. When I mapped this out, it became clear that trying to squeeze work in between these transitions wouldn’t serve anyone. So my summer sabbatical stretches from late July to early September.
I share this not as something to copy exactly, but to invite you to question the belief that more hours equal more success. What if rest is actually the foundation for sustainable success?
For me, this required deciding what I wanted, committing to it, and then building my business around that decision. My income is diversified and not solely dependent on one-on-one clients. I work in seasonal containers and communicate clearly about when I am available and when I am not.
August and December are built-in rest and integration months. These pauses support both me and my clients. I also fully disconnect during time off. I’m not checking email, social media, or team messages. This level of disconnection is what allows real rest and creativity to emerge.
Systems are essential. My business runs on documented processes, standard operating procedures stored in Google Drive, and project management through Asana. These systems support both my team and the business itself, whether I’m present or not.
I also batch content in advance so that things continue to go out while I’m away. Transparent communication with clients and the community ensures that expectations are clear.
This approach is countercultural in the U.S., but it’s common in many other parts of the world. Rest is not seen as laziness, but as essential for creativity and wellbeing.
What I’ve learned is that rest is not the reward. It’s the foundation for meaningful, sustainable service and leadership. When I’m rested, I make better decisions, I’m more creative, and I’m more generous.
I don’t believe women need to choose between success and wellbeing. It’s possible to build a business that supports both.
